Page 17 - MetalForming February 2019

Options Abound for In-Die Fastener Feeding
PennEngineering provides two
standard designs of PEMserter in-die feed carts: one for use with PEM FH, HFH and
HFE studs; and the other for PEM S nuts. Both carts feature as many as four feed lines and both are adjustable to suit fasteners with M5,
M6 or M8 thread
sizes. These flexible
designs enable
metalformers to
use the feed carts
for multiple
applications, thus
minimizing
additional investments on future projects, according to company officials.
PennEngineering also offers customized PEM feed carts. Designs allow for single or dual bowl carts (pictured) and as many as five feed lines per cart. Multiple carts can be integrated with a die to accommodate more points of installation or a range of fastener types or sizes.
considered solution for many types of applications, including those catego- rized as safety-critical.
Why Specify Self-Clinch Fasteners?
Given the many benefits that self- clinching hardware can deliver before, during and after production, they are the attachment method of choice for many sheetmetal designers and assem- blers for many reasons, including:
• Provides strong reusable threads in thin sheetmetal
• Installs by simple pressing/squeez- ing of the fastener into uncomplicated pierced holes—chamfering, emboss- ing, etc., is not necessary
• Employs the ductility of the host panel, with the fastener secured by ‘cold-flow’ of the host material—no potentially detrimental thermal stress- es are involved, plus the fastener can be prefinished
• Absence of conditions such as weld spatter, which can result in rework or scrap
• Suitable where dissimilar materials are specified, e.g. steel fasteners into aluminium or copper sheet
• Consistent self-clinching perform- ance—reliable pull-through, push-out and torque-out specifications
• Benefits can be enhanced by adop- tion of in-die-installation technology.
Why Try In-Die Fastening?
In-die fastening can boost produc- tivity when compared to fastener- installation methods that require sec- ondary operations. In most cases, secondary operations run at a much slower rate than the primary stamping process and, as a consequence, the metalformer must build stockpiles of parts from the die, which then sit in queue waiting for fastener-installation processing. In-die-fastening options are available. For example, PennEngi- neering manufactures both the self- clinching fastener (PEM fastener sys- tems) and the installation equipment (PEMserter).
Such equipment allows fabricators to combine metalforming and fastener
installation, thus improving financial and quality metrics. Such improve- ments include:
• Eliminated work-in-process ( WIP) —the stockpiled parts between the pri- mary metal-stamping operation and the secondary fastener-installation process—and its associated costs
• Reduced material handling
• Freed-up WIP storage space
• Improved quality and speedier
reaction to quality issues, as well as minimized scrap and associated costs • Reallocated secondary-process
operator
• Improved throughput.
Suitable for
Various Applications
In-die installation technology is applied most commonly in progres- sive- or transfer-die applications. Other applications include tandem press lines, bespoke production lines and for single-station dies where the in-
die equipment is used to effect sec- ond-operation installation. Metalform- ers may consider this option when wishing to upgrade the fastener-instal- lation process in a running job without investing in a completely new forming die.
Design Considerations
Key to Ultimate Performance
Ideally, the fastener-system supplier and die designer/builder collaborate early in the layout/die-design process. First and foremost, ensure that the fas- tener is correct for the application, and that it can satisfy all specified requirements. Then, consider appli- cable aspects of the press-shop layout, the die layout and design, and com- patibility of the in-die tools. Ask these questions:
• Where will the feed cart be posi- tioned in relation to the press?
• Will the feed cart be accessible for the operator?
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