Monthly Archives: December 2015

Die Handler, Carts and Trucks

Die handlers are used to remove and transport dies from metal stamping presses or plastic injection molding machines.  They are very specialized for this purpose and typically handle high capacities.  They go from 20,000lb to 200,000lb capacity.  Die removal is an especially dangerous time because the die can be damaged.  Some dies are very heavy.  The cost of repair isn’t the only consideration here.  The down time while the die is repaired is the real killer of money here.  Repair can cost many tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, depending upon the complexity and level of damage.

40,000lb.Elwell

Looking for used handlers? Go to : http://goo.gl/4A5qPx

This is where die handlers can save money, time and headache.  Some plants use forklifts for this job, however they aren’t always the best tool for the job if space is tight.  If space isn’t tight, then the plant manager may elect to use a forklift to remove the die, then place it on a die cart to be towed by a forklift.  Die handlers typically have a setup that allows for pushing or pulling of a die. This makes it much easier for getting a die out or putting one in.  Especially with hard to get to spots.  Many times plastic injection molding machines are put together pretty tightly because there is limited space on the plant floor.  Forklifts need a wide area of swing to get in and out between the machines, however die trucks or handlers do not.

New die handlers are very expensive.  Many companies opt to find a used machine and save huge amounts of money.  The other side of the coin is, that, there aren’t really that many sources for used machines.  Popular brands are Elwell Parker, Rico, Erickson, Yale and Autolift.  Some of those companies are now out of business, but parts can be found.

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Used Hydraulic and Mechanical Presses

Hydraulic and mechanical metal stamping presses are pretty much the most common.  We have included some photos of them.  Hydraulic presses are typically slower and are commonly found in foundries.  The can be very high capacity.  If I recall, the largest presses are in Russia, France and in Ohio USA.  They are huge stamping presses used for avaiation related parts.  They are also used for tryout presses.  Mechanical presses are much more common.  You can see these in automotive to lawnmowers to metal sink manufacturing.  They are able to opperate at much higher speeds or SPM.

Used metal stamping presses have become much more difficult to locate in larger tonnage sizes.  Much of this was because the year 2008 and the heavy economic downturn.  With high scrap prices and no demand for the machines, many where scraped by struggling automotive companies.  When the economy picked up, this created a huge void in the used market.

Common brands are Bliss, Minster, Niagara, Clearing, Komatsu, Aida, Blow and Danly.  All are good presses. Minster is typically the most liked of the brands. Bliss probably made more than anybody else.  Bliss, Clearing and Niagara where all bought out and  combined by a single company.  If I recall, they are owned by a German company.  There are other good brands out there too.

You can find more use metal stamping presses for sale at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/used1/AM/affordable-machinery.com/index.html

Here are a few press pictures:

Danly 3 1,500 Bliss 2

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