TOLL-FREE: (800)-444-0311
TOLL-FREE: (800)-444-0311
Tool and die manufacturing refers to the category of machinists who make dies, jigs, molds, fixtures, cutting tools, machine tools, gauges, and other tools used in the manufacturing process. If a machinist specializes in a particular tool or process, he/she may also be referred to as a die maker, tool and jig maker, fixture maker, or tool maker. Tool and die makers usually work from engineering drawings, sketches, specifications, blue prints, or computerized designs, such as CAD/CAM files, in order to efficiently lay out the design utilizing the raw material, which is often aluminum. While tool making generally refers to making tooling, like tool bits, fixtures, and metal forming tools, die making focuses primarily on making and maintaining dies, such as die sets, steel rule dies, and punches. Because the skills of both tool making and die making have such an overlap, “tool and die making” is commonly viewed as one field. The tools and dies produced by these machinists help in the manufacturing process of just about everything, such as paper clips, auto parts, blister packaging, and even diapers.
Toolmaking refers to the production of tooling, such as cutting tools, metal forming tools, and fixtures, as well as machine tools that are used to hold, manufacture, or test products during the fabrication process. Tool making often requires building custom tools or modifying standard tools with the use of machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, grinders, power tools, honing stones, and files, in order to manufacture goods.
A subcategory of tool manufacturing, die making, refers to the manufacture and maintenance of dies. This often includes the manufacture of dies, punches, die sets, and steel rule dies and relies on precision results. For example, dies are an integral part of the production of aluminum extrusions. In the extrusion process, a heated aluminum billet is forced against a die. As a result of the pressure added to the billet, the soft, but solid, metal begins to squeeze through the die opening. The shape of the die, which determines the profile of the aluminum extrusion, can be as simple as a solid round shape or a very intricate, hollow design with tight tolerances.
Though all tool & die makers are machinists; not all machinists are tool and die makers. A machinist, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “a worker who fabricates, assembles, or repairs machinery, a craftsman skilled in the use of machine tools, or someone who operates a machine.” Machinists sometimes have titles that reflect a specialization in a specific area, such as tool and die maker. Other types of machinists include: fitter, turning hand, grinder, patternmaker, programmer, and operator, to name a few. These skilled individuals commonly work with tolerances of .010” and sometimes, in specialty jobs, work to achieve tolerances as tight as .0001”. A traditional machinist will use tools, such as mills, lathes, and grinders, to build and/or repair metal parts by milling, drilling, turning, or grinding.
Machinists, such as tool & die makers, primarily work with metal. Although plastics, rubber and glass are sometimes utilized, metal is the most common material used. Aluminum, steel, brass and copper rank among the most common metals and alloys used in this trade. However, exotic (space-age) metals, such as titanium and tungsten, are sometimes required in order to produce products. Rarely, super-alloys, also known as high performance alloys, like Inconel or Waspaloy may be used. These super alloys are rare and require very specialized handling, skills, and tools in order to be effectively machined.
As the largest 100% aluminum distributor in the Midwest, Howard Precision Metals works with only premium mill sources to ensure high quality and consistent products are sold to our customers. In addition to quality aluminum products, our high-speed, precision aluminum saws offer some of the tightest saw tolerances and smoothest finishes available in the market. With our knowledgeable, highly skilled team in addition to our use of state-of-the-art equipment, we offer aluminum supply services that set the standard for quality. For assistance with your next aluminum requirement, call us today at 800.444.0311 or request a quote.
