10.12.

2018 Tooling by Design - Understanding Press and Die Shut Height | MetalForming Magazine

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UNDERSTANDING PRESS AND DIE SHUT HEIGHT

By: Peter Ulintz

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Setting the press shut height correctly during the die-change process is critical for ensuring good part quality and also
for preventing damage to the die and the press. Press shut height and die shut height are thought to be the same, but
they are not. Confusing the two terms can produce disastrous results.

Press S h u t H e i g ht

Shut height is defined as the distance from the bottom

face of the ram (slide) to the top of the press bed, with
the ram positioned at the very bottom of its stroke (Fig.
1) and ram adjustment set to the full-up position.

The press shut height can be found on a specification

plate attached to the press frame (Fig. 2) and in the
presses’ technical manuals. Shut height may be
expressed in inches, metric units or both.

The press shut height listed on the specification plate

is its maximum height. The ram has an adjustment
screw that can be turned manually or by an electric
motor to adjust the ram position downward to reduce
the press shut height. The maximum amount of
adjustment is determined by the adjustment-screw
length. The maximum adjustment also is listed on the
press-specification plate.

Die H e i g h t v s . Die Shut Height

A bolster plate attaches to the press bed in a manner

that allows it to be removed, replaced or exchanged. Fig. 1—Press shut height
Some presses have rolling bolsters that move in and
out from under the ram to facilitate quick die change. Because bolsters are removable and exchangeable and also
can vary in thickness, they directly affect the available die-height space under the ram.

Die height is defined as the distance from the bottom face of the ram
to the top of the bolster, with the ram positioned at the very bottom of
its stroke. Calculate maximum die height by subtracting the bolster
thickness from the press shut height. To obtain minimum die height,
subtract the ram-adjustment length from the maximum die-height
distance.

Die shut height refers to the overall height of a die assembly in its
fully closed (home) position. This includes any unsecured parallels or
risers added above or below the die.

The die-shut-height dimension must fall within the minimum and

maximum die-height space in the press. If the die-shut height is
greater than the die-height space in the press, the die will close fully
before the ram reaches the bottom of its stroke. This causes the Fig. 2—Press data specification plate
press frame to stretch and the connections (pitman) and die
assembly to compress, generating excessively high tonnage forces and potentially causing damage to the die and
press.

If the die-shut height is less than the minimum die-height space in the press, additional parallels or risers must be
added until the overall shut height exceeds the minimum die-height distance.

The Die-Height Comparison table illustrates a problem that can arise during die change when two presses, both with
the same shut-height and ram-adjustment specifications, are assumed to be capable of running a common die
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10.12.2018 Tooling by Design - Understanding Press and Die Shut Height | MetalForming Magazine
assembly without calculating the die-height space for
each press.

Shut- H e i g h t C a l ibration

With die setup complete and the press fully loaded, a

final calibration of the press shut height may be
required. Why? As the press cycles, force applied to
the ram and the bolster plate cause both to deflect
slightly. This deflection prevents the die from closing
fully. Lowering the ram slightly to calibrate the shut
height ensures fully closed dies.

To measure the die-shut height and to make final ram

adjustments, use solder strips and set blocks (stop
blocks) with grooves ground into the top surface. No industry standards exist for the depth of the set-block groove,
but the objective is the same for any groove depth.

For example, consider a progressive die with four set blocks precision ground to an overall height 0.005 in. less than
the inside shut height would be for the coil thickness at the low limit. This height assures that the set blocks never hit
home, even with minimum material thickness.

Grinding a 0.045-in.-deep groove into the top of each set block results in a groove bottom that rests 0.050 in. from the
upper die surface (0.045-in. groove + 0.005-in. clearance). When the die-shut height is correct for low-limit material
thickness, the thickness of the solder strip will measure 0.050 in. after the press cycles. If the next coil of material
checks 0.003 in. above the low limit, the shut height will be adjusted until the solder thickness measures 0.053 in.
after the press cycles.

If bend angles on the production piece part are not proper, do not attempt to correct them by raising and lowering the
ram. Instead, since you have verified that the shut height is correct for the material thickness in the die, add or
remove shims from under the forming punches to correct the bend angles.

For dies not designed and built for easy in-press adjustments, metalformers often take shortcuts such as moving ram
—the first steps toward compromising die timing. This ultimately results in excessive tonnage, inconsistent part
quality, poorly performing dies and reduced die life. MF

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by: KGK Murthy on 4/27/2018 3:57:31 AM

It is purely a good analysis in detail. Thanks -

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