Page 68 - MetalForming October 2009

George Keremedjiev has been writing this column for more than 20 years. He regularly consults with metalforming companies worldwide and provides metal- formers with training on the appli- cation and implementation of sen- sors for die protection. For more information on his seminars and consultancies, contact:
Tecknow Education Services, Inc. P.O. Box 6448
Bozeman, MT 59771
phone: 406/587-4751
fax: 406/587-9620 www.mfgadvice.com
E-mail: gk@mfgadvice.com
“There is no money.” How many of you have heard this sentence whenever you request funding
for sensors and controls for die protec- tion? It is a reality in most metalform- ing shops as we continue to grind our way through the this economic malaise. But perhaps there is a silver lining to it all. Maybe, this is a good time for all of us to revisit the topic of die protection, put on our learning hats and attend the 2009 METALFORM Exhibition, November 15-18, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, with a new set of pur- chasing glasses.
“Find low-cost die protection,” rolls out of the mouths of much of our met- alforming management as it tries to justify new investments to prevent die crashes and minimize scrapped parts. With this in mind, I suggest that the vis- itors to the show explore, as never before, all equipment options available from the various vendors of sensors and controls at the show. They, like you, have been hit very hard by the eco- nomic slump and are revisiting their offerings in this new economic light. Ask as many questions of the vendors as your patience permits regarding the various pricing options available.
Volume purchases of sensors are generally well discounted as are vol- ume acquisitions of die-protection con- trols. Furthermore, ask about all of the various sensor types and see if any par- ticular ones are over-stocked and avail- able for further discounts. You may have to be flexible in your die designs to accommodate a sensor that may be a lit- tle larger than you planned yet just as effective, but heavily discounted. Used sensors are not my cup of tea as you
never know just what use (or abuse) the sensor and cabling may have experi- enced, and testing them for robustness is very difficult under true die-protec- tion conditions. Perhaps the used sen- sor’s cable has a tiny pinhole in it that will aspirate (suck-in) fluid, including oil into itself and shortly thereafter short circuit the sensor as the insulation is compromised. I always advocate that sensors be purchased new whenever possible to avoid any unpleasant sur- prises. The Internet is full of used equip- ment, so keeping the above in mind one needs to be careful when it comes to used sensors—bought singly or in large lots.
Die-protection controls should like- wise be explored carefully from the per- spective of price. As with sensors, I advocate the purchase of new equip- ment for the same reasons. However, as there are numerous auctions going on of presses and die-protection controls, I urge the visitors to also explore what factory reconditioning options may be available for those who cannot afford new equipment. For example, you pur- chased a used press at auction and it has what appears to be a good die-protec- tion control system on it. Is the original manufacturer of the controller avail- able to go through this used unit and certify its good health?
Likewise, are there any used die-pro- tection controllers available directly from the manufacturer with a factory certification? It all boils down to peace of mind in having a reconditioned unit with a blessing from the original man- ufacturer. If the manufacturers do not currently offer such services, ask them if they would consider it.
METALFORMING ELECTRONICS GEORGE KEREMEDJIEV
Exploring Low-Cost Die Protection
at the 2009 METALFORM Exhibition
This CD-ROM presents dozens of George’s columns as well as papers and exclusive new presentations covering all aspects of die protection and part-quality inspection, starting and maintaining sensor programs, the role of controls in in-die sensing, and the benefits of a sound sensor program. Order it online at www.metalformingmagazine.com.
66 METALFORMING / OCTOBER 2009
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