Four-slide
A four-slide, also known as a multislide, multi-slide, or four-way, is a metalworking machine tool used in the high-volume manufacture of small stamped components from bar or wire stock. The press is most simply described as a horizontal stamping press that uses cams to control tools.[1] The machine is used for progressive or transfer stamping operations.[2][3]
Design
A four-slide is quite different from most other presses. The key of the machine is its moving slides that have tools attached, which strike the workpiece together or in sequence to form it. These slides are driven by four shafts that outline the machine. The shafts are connected by bevel gears so that one shaft is driven by an electric motor, and then that shaft's motion drives the other three shafts. Each shaft then has cams which drive the slides, usually of a split-type. This shafting arrangement allows the workpiece to be worked for four sides, which makes this machine extremely versatile. A hole near the center of the machine is provided to expel the completed workpiece.[1][2]
Advantages and disadvantages
The greatest advantage of the four-slide machine is its ability to complete all of the operations required to form the workpiece from start to finish.
The biggest disadvantage is its size constraints. The largest machines can handle stock up to 3 in (76 mm) wide, 12.5 in (320 mm) long, and 3⁄32 in (2.4 mm) thick. For wires the limit is 1⁄8 in (3.175 mm).
Materials
The material stock used in four-slides is usually limited by its formability and not the machine capabilities. Usually the forming characteristics and bending radii are the most limiting factors. The most commonly used materials are:[6]
- Low-carbon cold rolled steel
- Spheroidized cold rolled spring steel
- Type 300 and 400 stainless spring steels
- Copper alloys
- Beryllium-copperalloys
Use
Items that are commonly produced on this machine include:
References
- ^ a b Lascoe 1988, p. 63.
- ^ a b c d Lascoe 1988, p. 64.
- ^ a b c Degarmo, Black & Kohser 2003, pp. 450–451.
- ^ "What Fourslide Metal Forming Does that Power Press Can’t", July 21, 2015 , Engineering.com/
- ^ a b Lascoe 1988, p. 65.
- ^ Lascoe 1988, p. 68.
Bibliography
- Degarmo, E. Paul; Black, J T.; Kohser, Ronald A. (2003), Materials and Processes in Manufacturing (9th ed.), Wiley, ISBN 0-471-65653-4.
- Lascoe, Orville (1988), Handbook of Fabrication Processes, ASM International, ISBN 978-0-87170-302-6