Feintool USA cut 60 percent of the time for drilling and tapping the progressive dies it makes by moving to new technology, according to Dan Rohrer, tool room supervisor/ scheduler for the company’s machine shop.
“We started to use carbide drills and taps for materials that go to 65 Rockwell,” Rohrer said. Those tools allowed Feintool USA to replace sinker die operations.
“We’re now spending $120 per tool, and we’re getting on average 30 taps per tool before the tools need to be re-sharpened,” Rohrer said.
Despite that cost, the carbide drills and taps can put holes into the company’s tooling steel in 10 minutes. Making the parts by EDM sinker required, on average, 45 minutes.
