IES20010381A2 - A die set and a method for mounting a die set in a press - Google Patents

Abstract

A die set (2) mounted in a C-press (1) with a central feed axis (7) of the die set (2) in alignment and coinciding with a central supply axis (52) along which strip material (3) is fed by a pair of feed rollers (4), through a passageway (6) of the die set (2), thereby minimising wastage of the strip material (3). A spigot (40) secured to an upper bolster plate (29) of the die set (2) secures the upper bolster plate (29) to an upper platen (18) of the press (1) with a main central axis (22) of the die set (2) coinciding with a main central axis (21) of the press (1). A pair of first alignment grooves (54) formed in the upper bolster plate (29) at respective opposite ends thereof are alignable with a second alignment groove (55) in the upper platen (18), and keys (57) in the first and second alignment grooves (54) and (55) locate and retain the respective alignment grooves (54) and (55) in alignment with each other, so that the die set (2) is located in the press (1) with its central feed axis (7) coinciding with the central supply axis (52) of the strip material (3). In this way the strip material (3) is fed through the die set (2) in accurate alignment with the passageway (6) of the die set (2). <Figures 1 & 2>

Description

“A die set and a method for mounting a die set in a press” The present invention relates to a die set, and in particular, the invention relates to a die set for mounting in a press with a central feed axis of a passageway extending through the die set for accommodating continuous sheet metal strip material therethrough aligned with a corresponding central supply axis of a feeding device associated with the press for feeding strip materials to the die set. The invention also relates to a method for aligning the die set in the press, as well as to components produced from the die set. io Die sets for producing sheet metal components sequentially from continuous sheet metal strip material comprise upper and lower bolster plates for mounting on upper and lower platens, respectively, of a press. The press may, for example, be a press with a C-frame and may be mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically powered, or may be a four-column press, which may be mechanically or hydraulically powered, or indeed, may be any other such press. A die is carried on the lower bolster plate ofthe die set, and a punch or a punch plate is carried on the upper bolster plate. Typically, a punch plate is carried on the upper bolster plate, which carries a plurality of punches for co-operating with corresponding openings in the die for forming the components from the continuous strip material. In this specification the term forming is used to include cutting and/or shaping. Such die sets and presses will be known to those skilled in the art. Feed rollers feed the continuous sheet metal strip material, typically, from a coil through the die set, so that the components are sequentially formed from the strip material. The feed rollers are typically mounted on the press. The continuous strip material typically, is urged through the die set by the feed rollers. It is preferable that the die set when mounted in the press should be ΙΕ ο 1 Ο 3 8 1 accurately aligned with the feed rollers, so that the continuous strip material is fed through the die set in accurate alignment with the die set. In this way transverse edges formed by transverse cuts through the strip material which are designed to be perpendicular or at other specific angles to a central feed axis defined by the die set should also be perpendicular or at the appropriate specific angle to the side edges of the strip material, provided that the side edges of the strip material are parallel to each other. This, thus, considerably avoids wastage of material during punching of the components, particularly, if the width of the strip material corresponds to the width of the component, or to the width of material required for the component, since io the components can be punched from the strip material with the side edges of the strip material forming the side edges of the component, thereby minimising wastage of the strip material.

However, while it is possible to align such a die set with its central feed axis corresponding to a central supply axis of the feeding device so that the strip material is aligned with the central feed axis of the die set, the set up time required for ensuring such precise alignment of the die set in the press is relatively long, and the setting up of the die set in the press can be quite a tedious operation. Indeed, even where such die sets are accurately aligned in a press, the die set may drift out of alignment with the passage of time.

There is therefore a need for a die set which facilitates relatively precise alignment of the die set in the press, and there is also a need for a method for aligning such a die set in a press.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a die set, a method for ΙΕΟ 1 03 8 1 aligning a die set in a press, as well as a component produced from the die set by the method.

According to the invention there is provided a die set for mounting in a press for sequentially forming components from continuous sheet-metal strip material, the die set comprising a lower bolster plate for carrying a die and for mounting on a lower platen of the press, an upper bolster plate for carrying a punch and for mounting on an upper platen of the press with the punch co-operating with the die for forming the components, the upper and lower bolster plates being moveable relative to each other with rectilinear motion along a main central axis and defining a passageway therebetween for accommodating the continuous strip material from which the components are formed through the die set, the passageway defining a longitudinally extending central feed axis extending transversely of the main central axis, and a primary alignment means for aligning the die set in the press with the central feed axis of the die set aligned with a central supply axis along which the strip material is fed through the passageway of the die set by a feeding means associated with the press, so that the strip material fed from the feeding means is aligned with the passageway through the die set.

In one embodiment of the invention the primary alignment means comprises a first primary alignment formation on the die set for alignment with a corresponding second primary alignment formation on the press at two spaced apart locations.

In another embodiment of the invention the first primary alignment formation on the die set is formed on one of the upper and lower bolster plates of the die set for ΙΕΟ 1 03 8 1 alignment with the second primary alignment formation formed on the corresponding one of the upper and lower platens of the press.

Preferably, first primary alignment formation is formed by a first alignment groove in one of the bolster plates for alignment with the second primary alignment formation formed by a corresponding second alignment groove in the corresponding one of the upper and lower platens, the first and second alignment grooves defining respective first and second alignment axes for alignment with each other for in turn aligning the central feed and supply axes with each other.

Advantageously, alignment axis extends parallel to the central feed axis and the second alignment axis extends parallel to the central supply axis.

Ideally, a pair of first alignment grooves are formed in the one of the upper and lower bolster plates at axially opposite ends of the die set relative to the central feed axis.

Preferably, the respective first alignment grooves are located along the first alignment axis.

In one embodiment of the invention the primary alignment means further comprises a pair of alignment keys for engaging the respective first and second alignment grooves for aligning the first and second alignment axes of the respective first and second alignment grooves with each other.

In another embodiment of the invention the first primary alignment formation is provided on the upper bolster plate.

IE 0 1 03 8 1 In a further embodiment of the invention a secondary alignment means is provided for aligning the die set in the press with the main central axis of the die set intersecting the central supply axis of the strip material.

Preferably, the secondary alignment means comprises an alignment spigot defining a central spigot axis for engaging the die set with the central spigot axis aligned with the main central axis of the die set, and for engaging a corresponding alignment bore in the press.

Advantageously, the alignment spigot engages the upper bolster plate of the die set and a corresponding alignment bore in the upper platen of the press.

Ideally, the alignment spigot engages a corresponding engagement bore in the upper bolster plate with the central spigot axis coinciding with the main central axis of the die set.

In a further embodiment of the invention a fastener accommodating bore extends through the alignment spigot for accommodating a fastener for securing the alignment spigot to the upper bolster plate.

In one embodiment of the invention an annular groove extends around the alignment spigot for receiving a securing means in the upper platen for retaining the alignment spigot in the upper platen. ΙΕ0 1 03 8 1 Preferably, the annular groove of the alignment spigot is formed by a tapered portion of the alignment spigot which converges axially in a direction towards the die set for forming a wedging action between the securing means and the tapered portion for retaining the alignment spigot in the alignment bore of the upper platen with a wedging action.

In one embodiment of the invention, a guide means is provided for constraining the upper bolster plate to move with the rectilinear motion relative to the lower bolster plate.

Preferably, the guide means comprises at least two spaced apart guide pillars.

Advantageously, the guide means comprises four spaced apart guide pillars.

Additionally, the invention provides a press for sequentially forming a plurality of components from continuous sheet metal strip material, the press comprising a die set according to the invention, and a feeding means for feeding the strip material to the die set along a central supply axis, the die set being mounted in the press with the central feed axis of the die set aligned with the central supply axis of the feeding device by the primary alignment means, Further, the invention provides a method for mounting a die set in a press with a central feed axis defined by a passageway of the die set for accommodating continuous sheet metal strip material through the die set aligned with a central supply axis along which the strip material is fed through the passageway by a feeding means associated with the press, the method comprising the steps of ΙΕΟ 1 03 8 1 '7 forming a primary alignment means in the die set for alignment with the press for in turn aligning the central feed axis of the die set with the central supply axis of the strip material so that the strip material being fed by the feeding means is aligned with the passageway, and aligning the die set in the press by the primary alignment means.

The invention also provides a component produced from the die set according to the invention, and in one embodiment of the invention the component is produced using the method according to the invention. io The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a press according to the invention with a die set also according to the invention mounted in the press, Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of a part of the press of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the press of Fig. 1, on the line III - III of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the die set of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional end front elevational view of a portion of the die set of Fig. 1 on the line V - V of Fig. 2, ΙΕΟ 1 03 8 1 Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional end elevational view of a portion of the press and the die set on the line VI - VI of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is an underneath perspective view of part of the portion of Fig. 6 of the press of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 in an underneath perspective view also of a part of the portion of Fig. 6, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another part of the portion of Fig. 6, Fig 10 is another perspective view of the part of Fig. 10, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a detail of the die set of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a press according to the invention indicated generally by the reference number 1, which in this embodiment of the invention is a C-press. A die set also according to the invention and indicated by the reference numeral 2 is mounted in the press 1 and is operated by the press 1 for sequentially producing a plurality of sheet metal components (not shown) from continuous sheet metal strip material 3 from a coil 5 of the strip material 3, A feeding means comprising a pair of co-operating feed rollers 4 driven by an electrically powered motor (not shown) draw the strip material 3 from the coil 5 and feed the strip material 3 into the press 1. The coil 5 of the strip material 3 is mounted on a decoiler 9. A mounting housing 8 mounted on the press 1 carried the feed rollers 4 and the motor (not shown). 010381 The die set 2 defines a passageway 6 through which the strip material 3 is fed by the feed rollers 4 along a central feed axis 7 which extends longitudinally and centrally through the die set 2, and the press 1. The die set 2 will be described in more detail below.

The press 1 comprises a C-frame 10 which supports a lower platen 12. An upper platen 18 is carried on an upper carrier 20, and is moveable with rectilinear motion upwardly and downwardly relative to the lower platen 12 for operating the die set 2.

The upper carrier 20 is slideably mounted in an upper portion 15 of the C-frame 10 by a drive mechanism (not shown) which will be well known to those skilled in the art for urging the upper earner 20, and in turn the upper platen 18 upwardly and downwardly relative to the lower platen 12. The upper carrier 20 defines a main central axis 21 of the press 1, along which the upper platen 18 is moveable with the rectilinear motion. The die set 2 is mounted in the press 1 with a main central axis 22 of the die set 2 parallel to and coinciding with the main central axis 21 of the press 1, and additionally, with the main central axis 21 of the press 1 intersecting the central feed axis 7 of the die set 2 at 23 as will be described below. Such C-presses as the press 1 will be well known to those skilled in the art, as will the feeding of strip material into such presses, and it is not intended to describe the press 1 or the feeding of the strip material 3 in further detail.

Turning now to the die set 2 the die set 2 comprises a lower bolster plate 25 which is formed by a pair of plates 26 and 27 which are secured together by screws (not shown). An upper bolster plate 29 is slideably carried on a guide means, namely, four guide pillars 30 which extend upwardly from the lower bolster plate 25 so that ΙΕΟ 1 05 8 ί the upper bolster plate 29 is moveable upwardly and downwardly on guide pillars 30 relative to the lower bolster plate 25 with rectilinear motion. The lower bolster plate 25 is secured to the lower platen 12 by a pair of clamps 32, each of which comprises a clamping plate 33 which extends from a mounting block 34 mounted on the lower platen 12 into a recess 35 in the lower bolster plate 25. The recess 35 is formed between the respective plates 26 and 27 of the lower bolster plate 25. Screws 36 extend through the clamping plates 33 and engage corresponding threaded bores (not shown) in the lower platen 12 for securing the clamping plates 33 in clamping engagement with the plate 27 of the lower bolster plate 25. An alignment spigot 40 extending upwardly from the upper bolster plate 29 engages a corresponding alignment bore 41 extending upwardly into the upper platen 18 from a lower face 42, and is secured in the bore 41 by a securing means, namely, a clamp block 43 as will be described below for securing the upper bolster plate 29 to the upper platen 18.

A die 45 is mounted on the lower bolster plate 25 and a punch plate 46 is mounted on the upper bolster plate 29. The punch plate 46 carries a plurality of punches 47 which co-operate with corresponding openings 48 in the die 45 for punching and forming the components from the strip material 3 as the upper bolster plate 29 is urged downwardly by the upper platen 18. A parting off punch 49 extends from the punch plate 46 and co-operates with a corresponding opening 51 in the die 45 for parting off each formed component from the strip material 3. A stripper plate 50 which is also slideable on the guide pillars 30 is provided for stripping the components from the punches 47 as the components are being formed. The construction and operation of such dies, punch plates, punches and stripper plates will be well known to those skilled in the art.

IE Ο 1 03 8 1 A primary alignment means for aligning the die set 2 in the press 1 so that the central feed axis 7 of the die set 2 is aligned and coincides with a central supply axis 52 along which the strip material 3 is fed through the passageway by the feed rollers 4 comprises a first primary alignment formation, in this case provided by a pair of first alignment grooves 54 formed in the upper bolster plate 29 at respective axially opposite ends thereof relative to the central feed axis 7. The first alignment grooves 54 define a first alignment axis 53 which extends parallel to the central feed axis 7 of the die set 2, and co-operate with and are alignable with a corresponding second primary alignment formation in the upper platen 18. In this case the second primary io alignment formation is provided by a longitudinally extending second alignment groove 55 which is formed in the lower face 42 of the upper platen 18. The second alignment groove 55 defines a second alignment axis 56 which extends parallel to the central supply axis 52 of the feeding device 5. Keys 57 are provided for engaging the respective first and second alignment grooves 54 and 55 for locating, aligning and retaining the respective first and second alignment grooves 54 and 55 in alignment with each other, so that the corresponding first and second alignment axes 53 and 56 are similarly aligned with each other. The first alignment axis 53 and the central feed axis 7 of the die set 2 are parallel to each other, and when viewed in plan coincide with each other. Additionally the second alignment axis 56 of the press and the central supply axis 52 of the strip material 3 are parallel to each other, and also coincide when viewed in plan. The feed rollers 4 are mounted on the press 1 so that the main central axis 21 of the press 1 intersects the central supply axis 52 at 23. Accordingly, when the first and second alignment axes 53 and 56 are aligned and coincide with each other, and when the main central axes 21 and 22 of the press 1 and the die set 2, respectively, coincide with each other, the central feed and supply axes 7 and 52 are similarly aligned and coincide with each other. In this way ΙΕΟ 1 OS 8 1 the strip material 3 from the feed rollers 4 are centrally aligned with the passageway 6 through the die set 2.

Returning now to the mounting of the upper bolster plate 29 to the upper platen 18, and referring in particular to Figs. 6 to 11, the alignment spigot 40 is essentially cylindrical and defines a central spigot axis 65. An annular groove 66 extends around the spigot 40 between an upper portion 67 to a lower portion 68. The diameter of the respective upper and lower portions 67 and 68 are identical, and the groove 66 is formed by a tapered portion 71 which tapers from the upper portion 67 io to the lower portion 68. A co-axial boss 69 which is of smaller diameter than the upper and lower portions 67 and 68 extends axially from the spigot 40 for engaging a correspondingly dimensioned countersunk portion 70 of a countersunk engagement bore 72 formed in the upper bolster plate 29. The countersunk bore 72 is threaded and co-axial with the main central axis 22 of the die set 2 so that when the spigot 40 is engaged in the countersunk portion 70 of the countersunk bore 72 the central axis 65 of the spigot 40 coincides with the main central axis 22. A bore 74 extends through the spigot 40 and is co-axial with the central axis 65 for accommodating a screw 75 therethrough into the countersunk bore 72 for securing the spigot 40 in the upper bolster plate 29 in axial alignment with the main central axis 22 of the die set 2.

A clamp block accommodating channel 78 of partly circular transverse cross-section is formed in the upper platen 18 and extends from a front face 77 and the lower face 42 of the upper platen 18 for accommodating the clamp block 43. The channel 78 defines an elongated slot 76 in the lower face 42 of the upper platen 18. The clamp block 43 is of partly circular transverse cross-section which corresponds to the partly IE 0 1 03 8 1 circular transverse cross-section of the channel 78 and is slideable in the channel 78 for engaging and clamping the spigot 40 in the upper platen 18. The transverse cross-section of the channel 78 and the clamp block 43 is greater than a semicircular cross-section, so that the clamp block 43 is retained in the channel 78. In other words, the fact that the cross-section of the channel 78 and the clamp block 43 is greater than a semi-circular cross-section prevents the clamp block 43 slipping downwardly through the slot 76. A semi-circular recess 79 formed at one end of the clamp block 43 co-operates with a corresponding semi-circular recess 80 formed at the end of the clamp accommodating channel 78 to form the bore 41 in the upper platen 18 for receiving the spigot 40. The semi-circular recess 80 is formed in the upper platen 18 so that when the semi-circular recess 79 in the clamp block 43 cooperates with the semi-circular recess 80 in the upper platen 18 to form the bore 41, a central axis of the bore 41 coincides with the main central axis 21 of the press 1. The radii of the recesses 79 and 80 of the clamp block 43 and the upper platen 18, respectively, are such that when the spigot 40 is clamped in the bore 41 by the clamp block 43, the central axis 65 of the spigot 40 coincides with the central axis of the bore 41, and in turn coincides with the main central axis 21 of the press 1. Accordingly, the main central axis 22 of the die set 2 coincides with the main central axis 21 of the press 1, and thus, the main central axis 21 of the press 1 centrally intersects the central feed axis 7 of the die set 2 at 23. Therefore, once the central feed axis 7 is aligned parallel with the central supply axis 52, the central feed and supply axes 7 and 52, respectively, coincide with each other. A pair of side bores 81 through the clamp block 43 accommodate screws 82 into threaded bores 83 in the upper platen 18 for securing the clamp block 43 in the clamp block accommodating recess 78 for forming the bore 41, and in turn for securing the spigot 40 in the bore with a clamping type action. ΙΕΟ 1 03 8 1 A central threaded bore 85 extending through the clamp block 43 accommodates a retaining screw 86 through the clamp block 43 for engaging the tapered portion 71 of the spigot 40 with a wedging action for retaining the spigot 40 in the bore 41 in the upper platen 18. The retaining screw 86 retains the spigot 40 in the bore 41 against any danger of the spigot 40 slipping downwardly through the bore 41 and disengaging the upper platen 18 as the upper platen 18 is moving upwardly for in turn urging the upper bolster plate 29 upwardly after a component has been formed in the die set 2. By virtue of the fact that the axis 65 of the spigot 40 coincides with the main central axis 22 of the die set 2, and the central axis of the bore 41 in the upper platen 18 coincides with the main central axis 21 of the press 1, when the spigot 40 is engaged in the bore 41 of the upper platen 18 the main central axes 21 and 22 of the press land the die set 2, respectively, are aligned and coincide with each other. Accordingly, the spigot 40 acts as a secondary alignment means for aligning the respective main central axes 21 and 22 of the press 1 and die set 2, respectively, with each other, and also for further facilitating the alignment of the respective central feed and supply axes 7 and 52 of the die set 2 and the feeding device 5.

In use, with the die set 2 ready for use, the die set 2 is mounted in the press 1.

During assembly of the die set 2 it is essential that the die 45 and the punch plate 46 are located in the die set 2 so that they are accurately aligned with the central feed axis 7 of the die set 2. In this way, once the die set 2 is accurately aligned in the press 1, edges 87 of the strip material 3 run parallel with the die 45 and the punch plate 46. Thus if the width of the strip material 3 is of the appropriate width for the components being formed in the die set 2 the edges 87 of the strip material 3 IEO 1 03 8 1 accurately form corresponding side edges of the components. Prior to mounting the die set 2 in the press 1 the spigot 40 is secured to the upper bolster plate 29 by the screw 75. The die set 2 is then placed on the lower platen 12 of the press 1, and the spigot 40 is offered up to the upper platen 18, and is aligned with the semi-circular recess 80 in the upper platen 18. The clamp block 43 is then lightly tightened by lightly tightening the screws 82. At this stage the main central axis 22 of the die set 2 is now coinciding with the main central axis 21 of the press 1. The upper bolster plate 29 is then pivoted about the main central axis 22 of the die set 2 until the first alignment grooves 54 in the upper bolster plate 29 are in direct and accurate alignment with the second alignment groove 55 in the upper platen 18. The keys 57 are then inserted in the respective first and second alignment grooves 54 and 55 for retaining the die set 2 with its central feed axis 7 coinciding with the central supply axis 52 of the strip material 3. The clamp block 43 is then secured by the screws 82 for clamping the spigot 40 in the alignment bore 41, and the retaining screw 86 is tightened into the annular groove 66 against the tapered portion 71 of the spigot 40 for securing the spigot 40 in the alignment bore 41. The clamps 32 are engaged in the recesses 35 of the lower bolster plate 25 and secured by the screws 36 to the lower platen 12 for securing the lower bolster plate 25 to the lower platen 12.

Strip material 3 from the decoiler 9 is fed by the feed rollers 4 through the passageway 6 of the die set 2. The press 1 is then operated for sequentially punching and forming sheet metal components from the strip material 3.

The advantages of the invention are many by virtue of the fact that a primary alignment means is provided for aligning the central feed axis 7 of the die set 2 with the central supply axis 52 of the feed rollers 4 the strip material 3 is fed through the passageway 6 of the die set 2 in complete alignment with the passageway 6. Accordingly, transverse parting cuts formed by punches in the die set 2 which are to be perpendicular or at specific angles to the side edges of the component, will automatically be perpendicular or be at the appropriate specific angles to the side edges 87 of the strip material 3. Thus, wastage resulting from off-cuts from the strip material 3 is minimised by virtue of the fact that there is no need to leave strip material 3 between adjacent components as they are being formed in order to compensate for any misalignment of the strip material 3 with the passageway 6, and additionally, if the strip material 3 is provided of width corresponding to the width of the components to be formed, the side edges 87 of the strip material 3 can accurately form the side edges of the component. In other words, by providing the die set 2 accurately aligned in the press 1 with the strip material 3 accurately aligned with the passageway, 6 strip material of the precise width of the component to be formed can be used. This, thus, avoids side cuts, thereby minimising wastage of strip material.

While the die set according to the invention has been described as being mounted in a C-press, the die set may be mounted in any other suitable press, for example, an hydraulic press, a pneumatic press, whether of C-frame construction or otherwise, a four-column press, mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated, or indeed, any other suitable press.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A die set for mounting in a press for sequentially forming components from continuous sheet-metal strip material, the die set comprising a lower bolster plate for carrying a die and for mounting on a lower platen ofthe press, an upper bolster plate 5 for carrying a punch and for mounting on an upper platen ofthe press with the punch co-operating with the die for forming the components, the upper and lower bolster plates being moveable relative to each other with rectilinear motion along a main central axis and defining a passageway therebetween for accommodating the continuous strip material from which the components are formed through the die set, 10 the passageway defining a longitudinally extending central feed axis extending transversely ofthe main central axis, and a primary alignment means for aligning the die set in the press with the central feed axis of the die set aligned with a central supply axis along which the strip material is fed through the passageway of the die set by a feeding means associated with the press, so that the strip material fed from 15 the feeding means is aligned with the passageway through the die set.

2. A die set as claimed in Claim 1 in which the primary alignment means comprises a first primary alignment formation on the die set for alignment with a corresponding second primary alignment formation on the press at two spaced apart 20 locations , the first primary alignment formation being formed by a first alignment groove in one ofthe bolster plates for alignment with the second primary alignment formation being formed by a corresponding second alignment groove in the corresponding one ofthe upper and lower platens, the first and second alignment ΙΕΟ 1 03 8 1 grooves defining respective first and second alignment axes for alignment with each other for in turn aligning the central feed and supply axes with each other.

3. A press for sequentially forming a plurality of components from continuous 5 sheet metal strip material, the press comprising a die set as claimed in any preceding claim and a feeding means for feeding the strip material to the die set along a central supply axis, the die set being mounted in the press with the central feed axis of the die set aligned with the central supply axis of the feeding device by the primary alignment means. io

4. A method for mounting a die set in a press with a central feed axis defined by a passageway of the die set for accommodating continuous sheet metal strip material through the die set aligned with a central supply axis along which the strip material is fed through the passageway by a feeding means associated with the 15 press, the method comprising the steps of forming a primary alignment means in the die set for alignment with the press for in turn aligning the central feed axis of the die set with the central supply axis of the strip material so that the strip material being fed by the feeding means is aligned with the passageway, and aligning the die set in the press by the primary alignment means.

5. A component produced from the die set as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 30.