FACADE

Unicorns only exist in our imagination. There currently seems to be a competition among businesses to portray an even more marvelous result. It is like winning the lottery. One winner sparks the imagination of millions.

I might be old fashioned. I prefer to purchase from die shops with a good track record of creating what I need. In this era of hype, I would rather have a system to evaluate the capability of a shop before I waste their time and mine quoting on dies. My evaluation system is based on asking die shops to put their best foot forward. I ask them to allow me to inspect a die which meets my die standard. Given the long lead time for designing and building a die, you cannot afford to discover deficiencies after die build is complete.

This is like being in school. I make no secret about what is going to be on the test.

Question 1 Are all insert blocks of steel tested for proper grain structure and

cleanliness prior to cutting at the die shop

Question 2 Are all insert surfaces that contact molten aluminum between Rc 44 and Rc 49 using hardness testing files to confirm

Question 3 Are inserts uniformly proud to the holder by .04 to .06 mm

Question 4 Do thermal passages leak

Question 5 Do aluminum contact surfaces have a matte black oxide finish.

Suitable die build shops pass my survey with ease. They have good working relationships with their heat treaters and steel suppliers.