Die and diemaking. A die is a precision tool used to shape or cut metals or other materials. Diemaking is the process of producing dies. Workers who make dies are usually called tool-and-diemakers. They rank among the most highly skilled industrial workers. Tool-and-die makers create products ranging from small diamond dies, used to draw metal into fine wire, to huge metal dies that form automobile parts from sheet metal.
Materials used for making dies include alloy steels, rubber, plastics, and certain combinations of materials. The materials are shaped by basic machine tools or by newer methods, including the use of electricity. After shaping, most dies are heat treated (carefully heated and cooled) to make them more resistant to wear.
When in use, certain dies must be lubricated. Common lubricants include oils and greases, soap solutions, and various chemical compounds. Dies used at high temperatures require such lubricants as graphite in oil or water, or molybdenum disulfide.
Dies are used in several industrial processes, including die casting, drawing, extrusion, forging, and stamping. Some of these processes use pairs of dies, one called a male die, or punch, and the other a female die.
In die casting, metals are melted in a machine that forces the liquid metal into steel dies. These dies replace the molds used in other casting. The metal hardens into the design of the die and comes out solid. See Cast and casting .
In drawing and extrusion, a hot or cold solid material, usually metal, is forced through an opening in a die (see Extrusion ).
In forging, metal is often heated and put into two dies. The dies are pressed together and shape the metal. See Forging .
In stamping, a machine uses dies to stamp sheets, plates, or strips of metal or other materials, including plastics. Some stamping dies punch a hole in metal or cut it to a desired shape. Others form and shape the metal. Still other stamping dies do both jobs.
