What Are Tools and Dies in Basic Terms?

Sometimes it is nice to find information that is simple and doesn't use big terms. Then the answers can really be answered and understood. That is the biggest challenge, being able to understand. Let's take a look at tools and dies.  Tools are used to build something and dies could be the dye that we use to color something or the die cut that you use to cut paper. That isn't what I am talking about. Let's put these terms together and see what great things we can come up with.

Let's break it down so it is understandable. A die is a specialized tool that is used to cut, shape and form a wide variety of products and components. It is commonly used by manufacturing industries. Some of the simple things that have been made with a die is a paper clip. That seems like a simple thing, but think of how often we use a paper clip. Some of the other common items that are made with a die is a metal spoon, fork and knives. Also, aluminum cans, clothing zippers and buttons. Then there are several different car parts such as: car fenders, bumpers, doors, hoods, pistons, rods and the frame.

In order to make a die it is formed by tool and die makers. The die is a metal block. Once the die is made it can be used for forming material such as metal and plastic. For plastic it takes single plastic sheet to form transparent plastic containers. This uses a vacuum forming process. When you are doing metal it takes a sheet of metal and can perform two different parts. One is called the punch and it does the steps of stretching, bending and/or blanking the operation. The other part is called the die block which securely clamps the work piece and does similar actions.

It takes both the tools and dies to be able to perform all of these different things to create these things that we use in our daily routines. One goes with the other. The tools are needed to create the dies that are going to become the mold to make anything imaginable. The process is fascinating and it is amazing what creativity, tools and dies can come up with.