| Forging dies |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used by industrial blacksmiths to drop or hammer forge engine crankshafts, axles, engine connecting rods, turbine blades, steering arms, and small hand tools such as spanners, axe heads, hammer heads, and shear blades. |
| Hydraulic |
If energy transfer is in the form of pressurised liquid flow then it is called hydraulics. The oil is kept in a reservoir and the pump draws it in and pushes it into the system. Because the oils can't escape, pressure builds up and the energy stored in the oil is then used to operate machinery, using high pressure hoses, valves and actuators. |
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| Impact extrusion die |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used to impact extrude aluminium drink cans, and steel engine valves, axles, builders' nails and high tensile steel bolts. |
| Measuring and inspection gauge |
Precision-made mass production tooling used by semi-skilled factory workers to test and/or check mass produced components for conformance to engineering requirements and specification, often to very high levels of dimensional and/or form accuracy. |
| Metal die-casting die |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used to mould molten metals such as lead, zinc, aluminium, copper and brass into shapes such as fishing sinkers, electric motor end frames, engine pistons, and carburettor components. |
| Metal extrusion die |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used to extrude long continuous metal shapes of uniform cross section such as copper, brass, or aluminium tubing, aluminium guttering, brass or copper wire, rod and bar, and steel beams, rods and angle irons |
| Overhaul |
To overhaul a piece of equipment is to pull it apart, inspect it for damage, repair or replace damaged parts, then assemble the equipment and adjust so that it operates just as if it was new. |
| Plastic blow moulding die |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used to blow mould plastic bottles, watering cans and other plastic containers. |
| Plastic extrusion die |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used to extrude long continuous plastic shapes of uniform cross section such as tubing / hose, guttering, rigid pipe, refrigerator door seals, plastic coated wire, weatherboards, plastic food wrap, and plastic carry bags. |
| Plastic injection mould / die |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used to injection mould molten plastic into shape. Injection moulded components include gears, hearing aid cases, combs & hair clips, plastic bottle caps, syringes, car tail light lenses, domestic appliance components (such as hair-dryer, vacuum cleaner, and swimming pool filter bodies and components), computer keyboards, food storage containers (for example, Tupperware), children's toys, washing baskets, outdoor furniture, and wheelie bins. |
| Pneumatics |
If energy transfer is in the form of compressed airflow then it is known as pneumatics. In industry compressed air is generated by using a machine called a compressor, which draws in normal air, squeezes it to increase its pressure and then passes it through a moisture separator and stores it in the reservoir for later use in the factory |
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| Press tool (metal stamping die |
A piece of precision-made mass production tooling used to cut, bend and shape metal components from flat, strip, coil or sheet material. The components produced could range in size from car roof panels, door skins or bonnets, to small clockwork gears in mechanical watches and timepieces |
| Production jigs and fixtures |
Precision-made mass production tooling used to safely and accurately position and hold components during a production line process, to allow follow-on operations such as machining, welding, painting, assembly and/or packaging to be undertaken on the component |
| Reservoirs |
A tank used to store fluid for a hydraulic system - this maintains the fluid an even temperature by allowing circulation and cooling from the tank sides. |
| Special purpose work holding devices and machinery |
Precision-made mass production tooling such as jigs & fixtures, but also includes robotic arm end effectors (grippers / holders) for use on industrial robots. Special purpose machines / equipment may also be manufactured to carry-out specific tasks on a mass production line such as winding electric motors, assembling bearing assemblies, filling bottles and cans, or any other automated process |
| Work to tight fitting tolerances |
Skilled trade-persons are often called upon to assemble, produce and repair components to close tolerances. This mean that they have to work to a specified size and make the components as stated in the drawing of the part. If parts are not made to close tolerance the clearance or lack of clearance may cause the equipment to fail prematurely. |
