Die making

A die is the tool that shapes sheet metal in a press: cutting the outline, punching holes, bending or drawing it into a form. Getting a die made is a project, not a purchase, so the match between your part and the die maker matters more than the quoted price.

Die makers build tools such as blanking dies (cut a flat shape), piercing dies (make holes), bending and forming dies, drawing dies (make a cup or box shape) and progressive dies that do several of these in one stroke, one station after another.

The tool is normally made from tool steel that is machined, heat treated and ground. Wire EDM and CNC machining are used for the accurate parts, and the finished die is tried out on a press and adjusted until the parts come out to drawing.

Materials commonly used

• Tool steels such as D2 and HCHCR for cutting parts
• Hardened die steels for forming and drawing
• Mild steel and cast iron for die shoes and holders
• The sheet material your part is made from decides how tough the die must be

What to send with your requirement

• The part drawing with dimensions and tolerances, in PDF, and a 3D file (STEP) if you have it
• Sheet material, thickness and grade, and the yearly quantity you expect
• The press you will run it on: tonnage, bed size and shut height
• Whether you want a single-stage die, several dies in sequence, or a progressive die
• How many parts you need from the first trial, and by when

What affects the cost

• The number of operations: a progressive die with many stations costs much more than a simple blanking die
• Sheet thickness, hardness and how much the part is drawn or formed
• Tolerances on the part, and how many parts the die must make before it wears
• Tool steel grade, heat treatment and the finish of working surfaces
• Trial and correction time, which is real work and is often left out of the first estimate

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ordering the die without agreeing what happens if the trial parts are out of tolerance
• Not telling the die maker the press details, so the die does not fit the press
• Comparing quotes for different die designs as if they were the same thing
• Leaving out the expected quantity, which decides the steel and the wear allowance

Cities with workshops on Diemeco

• Rajkot

Frequently asked questions

How long does a die take to make?

It depends on the complexity. A simple blanking die can be a matter of weeks, and a progressive die with many stations takes longer, because of design, machining, heat treatment, and trial. Ask the workshop for a schedule that includes trials.

What should I give the die maker?

A dimensioned drawing, ideally with a 3D model, the sheet material and thickness, the expected quantity, and your press details. The more of this you share, the more accurate the quote.

Who owns the die once it is made?

Agree this before you start and write it down. Many buyers pay for the tool and keep it, and the workshop stores and maintains it. Diemeco helps you find and talk to workshops; the agreement itself is between you and the workshop.