Tool Design and Manufacturing of a Progressive Die for a Fluorescent Light Fixture Housing

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Making use of a wide range of tool and die capabilities, Dekalb Tool & Die, Inc. designed and manufactured a progressive die for use in the metal stamping production of a fluorescent light fixture housing.

Working from a supplied 2D CAD drawing, Dekalb Tool & Die engineers used MasterCam design and programming in preparation to manufacture the tooling in two segments that would be joined in the press. Dekalb Tool and Die’s CNC machining capabilities allowed for simultaneous 2D and 3-axis contouring of the tooling, which also underwent wire EDM machining, heat treatment, and surface grinding to meet the exact shape and dimensions required by the customer. The final dimensions of the die were 52″ x 144″, with all features machined to within ±.005″, and the final, 7 lb. two-segment piece was shipped to the customer for use in an 800 ton press with a 96″ x 144″ bed size.

Dekalb Tool & Die’s in-house die-mounting and die tryout service combined with CMM inspection guaranteed that the die tooling would be exactly what the customer required, and Dekalb Tool and Die’s unique two-segment solution saved the customer tooling time and costs by creating a more versatile piece.