Die Lifelines

On-press particulars

After establishing the ideal die scenario for an application, press operators must be sure to handle dies carefully, and appropriately, according to press type. RotoMetrics' Smith illustrates: "On some presses, installing the assist roll backwards places one of the hold-down bearings on a die blade instead of the bearer, thus mashing the blade." Likewise, Albert warns against permitting the die to sit crookedly within the press-if the bearer rolls over the crescent of the base roll, blades will be crushed.