Abstract: A mold assembly for a hot stamping die is provided. The mold assembly includes a mold having a body defining a cavity and a removable channel insert. The removable channel insert is positioned in the cavity and has a curved shape. The removable channel insert also includes a plurality of projections integrating the insert with the body. The removable channel insert is configured to form inlets and outlets for fluid in the hot stamping die upon removal of the insert.

Abstract: A mold assembly for a hot stamping die is provided. The mold assembly includes a mold having a body defining a cavity and a removable channel insert. The removable channel insert is positioned in the cavity and has a curved shape. The removable channel insert also includes a plurality of projections integrating the insert with the body. The removable channel insert is configured to form inlets and outlets for fluid in the hot stamping die upon removal of the insert.

Abstract: A hot stamping die includes a body having a stamping surface, and cooling channels within the body. The cooling channels are positioned to transfer heat from region(s) of the surface to the channels. The hot stamping die also includes a heating element within the body, separate and apart from the channels. The heating element is positioned to heat region(s) of the body different from the region(s) of the surface at a rate greater than heat transfer from the channels to the region(s) of the surface.

Abstract: A mold assembly for a hot stamping die is provided. The mold assembly includes a mold having a body defining a cavity and a removable channel insert. The removable channel insert is positioned in the cavity and has a curved shape. The removable channel insert also includes a plurality of projections integrating the insert with the body. The removable channel insert is configured to form inlets and outlets for fluid in the hot stamping die upon removal of the insert.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element and a second die element is provided. The first die element is arranged with the second die element for disposal of a blank therebetween and includes a coolant channel and a trim groove for alignment with a trim line of the blank. A groove insert is disposed within the trim groove arranged to support a portion of the blank extending thereover and to reduce a cooling rate of the blank. The groove insert may be of a material including reflective radiation characteristics to reduce heat transfer from portions of the blank adjacent the trim line. The first die element may include a cavity aligned with a pierce region of the blank so that the pierce region does not contact an adjacent die element surface.

Abstract: A hot stamping die includes a body having a stamping surface, and cooling channels within the body. The cooling channels are positioned to transfer heat from region(s) of the surface to the channels. The hot stamping die also includes a heating element within the body, separate and apart from the channels. The heating element is positioned to heat region(s) of the body different from the region(s) of the surface at a rate greater than heat transfer from the channels to the region(s) of the surface.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element and a second die element is provided. The first die element is arranged with the second die element for disposal of a blank therebetween and includes a coolant channel and a trim groove for alignment with a trim line of the blank. A groove insert is disposed within the trim groove arranged to support a portion of the blank extending thereover and to reduce a cooling rate of the blank. The groove insert may be of a material including reflective radiation characteristics to reduce heat transfer from portions of the blank adjacent the trim line. The first die element may include a cavity aligned with a pierce region of the blank so that the pierce region does not contact an adjacent die element surface.

Abstract: A mold assembly for a hot stamping die is provided. The mold assembly includes a mold having a body defining a cavity and a removable channel insert. The removable channel insert is positioned in the cavity and has a curved shape. The removable channel insert also includes a plurality of projections integrating the insert with the body. The removable channel insert is configured to form inlets and outlets for fluid in the hot stamping die upon removal of the insert.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to create a pattern part, and a subsequent mold core package, that can be used in the casting process to cast one or more die components having a near net-shape of the finished part. In this way, the present invention provides a cast part which greatly reduces the amount of finishing work that needs to be performed on the part after casting. Further, the present invention provides a method which involves less upfront stock material to cast the near net-shape of the desired die component part. The present invention accomplishes this by providing an efficient and effective automated method to determine where and how to add appropriate mechanical features to a design model part to produce a manufacturing model part in a CAD software program.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to create a pattern part, and a subsequent mold core package, that can be used in the casting process to cast one or more die components having a near net-shape of the finished part. In this way, the present invention provides a cast part which greatly reduces the amount of finishing work that needs to be performed on the part after casting. Further, the present invention provides a method which involves less upfront stock material to cast the near net-shape of the desired die component part. The present invention accomplishes this by providing an efficient and effective automated method to determine where and how to add appropriate mechanical features to a design model part to produce a manufacturing model part in a CAD software program.