Use of Forming Tools on Whitney Presses

Most forming applications on Whitney machines are performed using "bottoming" style tooling. This type of tooling is shaped so that the construction of the tool is the same as the shape of the form it creates. A bottoming surface on the punch does not allow the punch to penetrate any farther than the height or depth of the form. This creates features that are very repeatable regardless of variations in material types and thickness.

For example, when performing a countersink, the shape of the countersink punch is the same as the shape of the form on the finished hole. The flat surface above the countersink protrusion provides a bottoming surface. Once this bottoming surface contacts the raw material, the countersink is complete, and formed exactly to print. As long as the bottoming surface contacts the raw material surface every time, the form is repeatable, since it always conforms to the shape of the tool.

When using form tooling with bottoming style tooling, the machine control must be programmed to reverse the ram using "pressure switch" mode instead of normal punching mode. Refer to your machine's operation manual for proper adjustments.

Some forms extrude metal beyond the top of the raw material (e.g. louvers, tread plate). These forms are normally done in a "form up" condition. This is done so that the formed features do not interfere with the table skins and die, eliminating potential interference and scratch points. The lower die becomes the "punch", and an integral spring stripper is typically included with the tool to keep the material from sticking on the die.