Unlimited Options. Bolster Extensions are available in a variety of types: lift-off, swing-away, detachable, traveling and slotless.

PFA can easily customize mountings to meet most applications and can even provide complete custom solutions. Fast and Easy. Cylindrical rollers on Bolster Extensions typically reduce the force necessary to move a die to about 1 to 3 percent of die weight. Moving the die into the press becomes fast and easy. Loading and unloading dies from Bolster Extensions is also easily done by forklift or crane, making extensions essential components of many Quick Die Change (QDC) systems. Modular. By reviewing multiple press needs at one time, common QDC components can be selected. Bolster Extensions can often be used on more than one press, greatly saving on the per press cost of QDC.

When to Use Nut Clamps:

Use Nut Clamps with dies having slotted die plates and enough clearance for the Nut Clamp body.

U-Slot brackets or ears may also be added to dies in some applications. If systems are setup to have hydraulics removed during stamping, Hydra Mechanical (L style) clamps (with a mechanical lock) should be selected. If a dedicated hydraulic system is considered, the Fully Hydraulic clamps (with either multiple upper zone control or check valves) may be the preferred choice.

Clamp model and quantity should be selected to provide a total clamping force greater than the total (static and dynamic) force applied to the system during use. How They Work: Nut Clamps are moved into position in a slot in the die plate (gaps between clamp and die/slot allow movement). When hydraulic pressure is applied, the clamp pulls upward on the T-bolt and the clamp body moves downward to clamp the plate. Hydraulic pressure is maintained during operation, or the Locking Nut (L style) is engaged to allow removal of clamp hydraulic pressure during stamping. To unclamp, hydraulic pressure is removed and clamps open under internal spring force. (Note: Reapplication of hydraulics is required to unlock the Locking Clamps (L) prior to releasing pressure and unclamping).

High Pressure Hydraulic Control Units (HC) are powered with commonly available air pressure and are made in a variety of configurations to optimize all QDC applications. From single valve (zone) carriables to multi-valve units, we’ve got just what you need to get the job done.

Here’s a summary. Hydra-Mechanical (HM) clamps, also known as locking clamps, are hydraulically actuated and then mechanically locked during press operations. They need to be re-pressurized in order for the mechanical locks to be released. HM in the module part number indicates the addition of a hydraulic pressure booster button to make unlocking simple and easy. Hydraulic Die Lifter Rails provide exceptional lift capacity, but need to be lowered prior to clamping. DL in the part number indicates the addition of a pressure relief valve to help protect the rails in the event dies are clamped before rails are lowered. Smaller carriable power units are designated as (C) while the larger stationary units can be ordered as Stationary (S) for your own mounting or Mounting Bracket (B), Stationary Pedestal (P) or Rolling Stand (R). For systems employing hydraulic only (non-locking) clamps it is necessary to, as a minimum, cross connect Ram Clamps with half of them to a separate zone and provide connections to the press control to stop the press on loss of system pressure. Maintaining dedicated controller connections and using the Pressure Switch (PS) option is minimally required/recommended.

When to Use Pneumatic Die Lifters:

Use pneumatic die lifters for lighter dies in small to medium presses. Load capacity is approximately 1/2 of a hydraulic rail for inline cylindrical rollers and similar in lift force for the multi-directional ball rollers, but slot size can be much smaller and overall cost much lower. In many applications, performance is astounding.

Fitting in slots as small as 1.250” total depth, very large lift capacities are produced with readily available 85 psi shop air. 1,800 lbf/ft/pair for narrow rails and 2,600 lbf/ft/ pair for wide rails is exceptional performance. Using shop Air eliminates the need for hydraulics and the associated complexities of adding hydraulic systems to the press. Simple hand operated air valves (or electrically operated valves integrated with other press controls) can be used to actuate the lifters. For an available off the shelf air interface that connects to shop air and provides a Manual Hand Valve, Filter Regulator, and Lockout system, please see information PFA’s Air Package (DA-AP). Designed for standard ¾” and 1” T slots and available to accommodate any press bolster depth, PFA Pneumatic Die Lifters provide a low cost, easy to order, and simple to install option to be used in standalone or integrated applications. Simply add clamps and/or bolster extensions for a complete QDC system.

How They are Used:

Pneumatic Lifting bars with installed rollers are inserted into the T slots and captured between the separate air lift system installed on the front of the press and the guard attached to the back side of the T slot. The air lift bag or hose occupies the space under the rail in the wider slot section providing the lift force when pressurized. If the rail is sized shorter than the slot, a filler bar is added to maintain rail position in the slot. Rails are made to specific dimensions to match the T-slot and achieve the desired lifting height. Air rail lifting height is specified by the customer to match the insertion height of other components, such as bolster extensions. Activating with 85 psi air, places the lifter “up” ready to receive the die. The die is loaded with the weight transferring from the bolster extensions to the lifters. Once the die is in the press, the lifters are lowered by closing the supply pressure and venting the lines (typically the valve both secures and vents the line). Systems are provided with rails, guards, the pneumatic fittings, and hose to connect them together along with a relief valve. Customers provide any desired control valves for air and connect to an NPT port or may purchase an “Air Package” consisting of Lockout, Manual Valve, and Filter Regulator for easy integration.