Cold-forming dies are also called cold heading dies or simply header dies. They are used to make steel parts at a high speed and are made of tungsten carbide or steel with brazed carbide. The process starts with a cold metal slug being placed into a cold forming die. The slug is then struck by a punch, forcing the slug into the die and shaping it into its desired form. The force of the rapid and powerful blow from the punch exceeds the metal’s yield strength, then causing the slug to liquefy and form into the cavity of cold-forming dies.

Currently, the application of cold-forming dies covers aerospace, automotive, and medical to just name a few of the many industries using cold-heading machinery. And it also rapidly improves the production efficiency of fasteners such as bolts, nuts, nails, and screws.

The primary benefits of cold-forming compared to conventional machining

• High-efficiency material utilization (high yield): cold forging allows for fewer reductions in material, compared to machining for the same geometry.
• Higher speed, more efficient production: high-speed manufacturing (around 100 parts/minute) while still maintaining high precision and complex product geometries. No heating of the material is required.
• Improved product strength by work hardening: cold-forming process design takes fiber flow lines (the crystal structure of metals) into account, allowing for stronger more durable parts.
• Cost reductions through customized manufacturing processes: the customized design includes tolerances, geometry, number of components required, etc, and it can significantly reduce process complexity.

Four aspects affect the service life of cold forming die

1. Check in before use

It should be checked every time before using cold heading mold, which not only guarantees the smooth process of processing but also can protect the mold. In addition, it is necessary to stop work immediately when meeting some problems.

2. Operation method

The correct operation method can effectively prolong the service life of the die. Operators need to work according to the corresponding operation steps, so as not to cause product quality problems. Especially for novices, it is necessary to carry out pre-job training.

3. Lubricant performance

The importance of lubricants in metal processing is obvious. It is used in all kinds of machinery to reduce friction, protect the machinery, and add the workpiece of the industrial liquid. However, the performance of lubricants is good and bad, and the protection against cold upsetting dies is different.

4. Clean after using

After use, the cold upsetting die will cause the oil residue and damage the mold if it is not thoroughly cleaned in time.

Several types of cold forming die are offered by UKO CARBIDE

• Reducing Die for Chamfer
• Reducing and Extrusion Die for Necking
• Reducing and Extrusion Die for Shaping the Rod
• Serrated Dies of Cold Heading
• Extrusion Die
• Cold Heading Dies for Screw

In summary, the Cold Heading Die is an essential tool for the production of high-quality fasteners. With its high-quality materials, precision machining, and customizable features, it can meet the demanding requirements of various industries and applications.