Tooling for Cold Forming Operations

Abstract

A tooling for cold forming operations can include a transition shoe and a die. The transition shoe can include a first dovetail formation and a second dovetail formation opposite the first dovetail formation relative to a pressing direction. The first dovetail formation can be configured to removably engage a dovetail formation on a shoe of a press. The die can include a third dovetail formation and a first cold forming profile. The third dovetail formation can be configured to removably engage the second dovetail formation on the transition shoe to removably secure the die to the press for cold forming operations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/234,367, filed Aug. 18, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Tooling for cold forming operations can be important in a variety of contexts. In some settings, tooling for cold forming operations may be removably secured to a press machine to squeeze an anchor onto an end of a rebar.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed technology relates generally to tooling for cold forming operations, and more specifically, in some examples, to tooling that can be secured to a press machine using dovetail connections. Some examples can include transition shoes removably securable to a press and to various different dies. For example, a transition shoe can include a dovetail recess or other dovetail formation on either side of the transition shoe relative to a pressing direction, to removably secure the transition shoe to a press on one side and various dies on the other. Thus, different dies can easily be selectively secured to a press, directly or indirectly, for different cold forming operations (e.g., swaging). In some examples, particular relative widths of dovetail formations can provide improved structural performance and operational efficiency. In some examples, particular release angles can be provided on a die for cold forming operations, including with optimized ranges for particular sizes of components to be cold formed. In some examples, interchangeable combinations of tool components can be provided as tooling sets for improved cold forming operations.

Thus, for example, some aspects of the disclosed technology provide a tooling set for cold forming operations with a first and second removable dovetail formation, and first and second removable die arrangements. The first removable dovetail formation can be removably securable to a first side of a press for cold forming and the second removable dovetail formation can be removably securable to a second side of the press. Each of the first removable die arrangement and the second removable die arrangement can include, respectively: a transition shoe, and a die. The transition shoe can include a first dovetail formation, and a second dovetail formation opposite the first dovetail formation relative to a pressing direction, wherein the first dovetail formation is removably engageable with the first or the second removable dovetail formation, respectively, to secure the transition shoe to the press. The die can include a third dovetail formation and a first cold forming profile, the third dovetail formation being removably engageable with the second dovetail formation on the transition shoe to removably secure the die to the press, via the transition shoe, for cold forming operations.

In some examples, at least one of the first or second removable die arrangements can further include a second die that includes a fourth dovetail formation removably engageable with either of the first or second removable dovetail formations to secure the second die to the press in place of the corresponding transition shoe. The second die can include a second cold forming profile different from the first cold forming profile, opposite the fourth dovetail formation relative to the pressing direction.

In some examples, a first cold forming profile can be sized for cold forming operations on components of a first size, and a second cold forming profile can be sized for cold forming operations on components of a second size that is larger than the first size. As one example, a first cold forming profile can be sized to clamp a first anchor of the first size onto rebar and can include a release angle of at least about 40 degrees, the first size corresponding to a first outer diameter of the first anchor. As another example, a second cold forming profile can be sized to clamp a second anchor of the second size onto rebar and can include a release angle of at least about 45 degrees, the second size corresponding to a second outer diameter of the second anchor. In some examples, each of first and second cold forming profiles can include a release angle of at least about 40 degrees and less than 60 degrees to clamp anchors onto rebar.

In some examples, perpendicular to a pressing direction, a largest dimension of a removable dovetail formation for a press can be greater than a largest dimension of a dovetail formation of a removable die arrangement.

In some examples, a dovetail formation of a die can include a dovetail protrusion that is sized to be received in a dovetail recess of a transition shoe. Perpendicular to a pressing direction, a largest dimension of the dovetail protrusion can be greater than a largest dimension of a dovetail formation (e.g., a removable dovetail formation) of the first removable die arrangement.

In some examples, a die of a removable die arrangement can include first, second, and third sides that form a dovetail formation and a fourth side that extends between the first and second sides to form a cold forming profile. Perpendicular to a pressing direction, a largest dimension of the first removable dovetail formation can be smaller than either or both of a largest and a smallest distance between the first and third sides of the die.

In some examples, a die of a first removable die arrangement can be sized to be removably received within a dovetail recess of a dovetail formation of a transition shoe. The dovetail recess and the die can be sized so that junctions between the fourth side of the die and each of the first and third sides of the die can be recessed away from or flush with an end surface of the transition shoe (e.g., an end surface opposite a dovetail connection to a press, in the pressing direction, that includes a dovetail formation to engage the die).

In some examples, a body of a die of a first removable die arrangement can be sized to be removably received entirely within a dovetail recess of a dovetail formation on a transition shoe, relative to the pressing direction.

Some aspects of the disclosed technology provide a tooling set for cold forming operations, including a transition shoe and a die. The transition shoe can include a first dovetail recess on a first side of the transition shoe configured to engage a dovetail protrusion on a press, and a second dovetail recess on a second side of the transition shoe that is opposite the first side in a pressing direction. The die can include a cold forming profile and a dovetail protrusion that is removably received in the second dovetail recess, to secure the die to the transition shoe for attachment to the press.

In some examples, in a pressing direction, a largest dimension of a die can be substantially equal to a largest dimension of a dovetail recess in a transition shoe that receives the die.

In some examples, a die can define a trapezoidal outer profile, with a cold forming profile being recessed to deviate from the trapezoidal outer profile along a pressing side of the die.

In some examples, a cold forming profile of a die can have a release angle of at least about 40 degrees as measured between a first rib and a second rib of the cold forming profile (e.g., with a cold forming profile sized to shape a donut anchor having a diameter of about 4 inches or less as measured before a pressing operation (i.e., pre-pressing), or of about 3 inches or less as measured after the pressing operation (i.e., post-pressing)). In some examples, a cold forming profile of a die can have a release angle of at least about 45 degrees as measured between a first rib and a second rib of the cold forming profile (e.g., with a cold forming profile sized to shape a donut anchor having a post-pressing diameter of about 3 inches or more). In some examples example, the release angle can be less than 60 degrees.

In some examples, a cold forming profile can include a first groove that is centrally located along the cold forming profile, a second groove, and a third groove, wherein the second and third groove are equally spaced apart from the first groove on either side of the first groove.

Some aspects of the disclosed technology provide a method for conducting cold forming operations. A transition shoe of a tooling set can be secured to a press, using a first dovetail connection between the transition shoe and the press, including by engaging a first dovetail recess on a first side of the transition shoe with a dovetail protrusion on the press. A die of the tooling set can be secured to the press via the transition shoe, using a second dovetail connection between the die and the transition shoe, including by removably inserting a dovetail protrusion of the die into a second dovetail recess on a second side of the transition shoe that is opposite the first side in a pressing direction. After securing the die to the press via the transition shoe, the press can be operated to conduct cold forming operations using a cold forming profile of the die.

In some examples, after conducting the cold forming operations, the transition shoe can be removed from the press and a second die of the tooling set can be secured to the press at a second dovetail connection, without the transition shoe. After securing the second die to the press, the press can be operated to conduct cold forming operations using a cold forming profile of the second die.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1A is a top, front, and left perspective view of tooling for cold forming operations in a first operational configuration, according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 1B is a top, front, and left perspective view of the tooling of FIG. 1A in a second operational configuration, according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a portion of the tooling of FIG. 1A that includes a shoe and a tooling set including a die, and a transition shoe, according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the die of FIG. 2, with details of a cold forming profile according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 4 is a top, front, and left perspective view of a differently configured tooling for cold forming operations, according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the tooling of FIG. 4, according to an example of the disclosed technology, with details of a cold forming profile of a second die in the tooling set;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the die of FIG. 5, according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 7 is a top, front, and left perspective view of tooling for cold forming operations, according to another example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the tooling of FIG. 7, with details of a cold forming profile of a die in a tooling set according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 9 is a top, front, and left perspective view of tooling for cold forming operations, according to an example of the disclosed technology;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the tooling for FIG. 9, with details of a cold forming profile of a die in a tooling set according to another example of the disclosed technology; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating operations of an example method of conducting cold forming operations, according the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

As noted above, tooling for cold forming operations can be important in a variety of contexts. In some settings, tooling for cold forming operations may be removably secured to a press to squeeze (e.g., swage or otherwise deform) an anchor onto an end of a rebar or to conduct other cold forming operations with the press.

Conventional tooling for cold forming operations can be heavy, and it may be difficult to interchange different dies on a particular press machine. For example, operations for servicing or replacing dies may require the loosening or other disengagement of different specialized mounts on opposing sides of a press, a cumbersome replacement of shoes on the presses themselves, or other inefficiencies.

Further, dies in conventional cold-forming tooling can have a tendency to lock swaged or other pressed material inside of the die. Such an inconvenience can require the swaged material to be forcefully removed (e.g. by an operator, or by another device), which may substantially decrease efficiency of operations, among other issues.

In this light, it may be useful to provide improved tooling for cold forming operations that is easier to maintain and replace. Further, it may be useful to provide improved die geometry that allows swaged material to release easily from a die after pressing. Cold forming operations are often conducted as a critical operation for efficient erection of buildings, particularly high rises and other complex structures. Accordingly, improvements in cold forming tooling and operational methods can provide substantial efficiency benefits for a variety of projects.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology can address these and other issues. For example, some implementations of the present disclosure utilize dovetail joints to ease the servicing and replacement of dies and associated tooling components (e.g., shoes and transition shoes) in a press machine. In some cases, particular arrangements of the width and form of dovetail connections are also provided. For example, some examples include transition shoes with opposing dovetail recesses, dies formed as dovetail protrusions, or particular relative widths of particular sets of dovetail connections.

In some examples, dies of the present disclosure can include improved ranges of angular geometry, including with different specific ranges for different sizes of tooling or worked components (e.g., anchors or other end attachments for rebar). These improvements may allow the material of swaged or other pressed components to be released from the dies with relatively minimal effort, thereby improving cycle time. Some embodiments of the present disclosure discussed herein are directed towards swaging anchors onto rebar. It should be understood that mechanisms disclosed herein can be applied to any variety of dies for processing rebar and related components.

In some examples of the disclosed technology, tooling for cold forming operations may include tooling sets. For example, in some tooling sets a first die can be configured to be removably secured to a shoe, which in turn is configured to be secured to a press machine, and a second die can be configured to be removably secured to the shoe via a transition shoe. In these and other tooling sets, various tooling components may include a dovetail formation (i.e., a dovetail recess or a dovetail protrusion) to allow interchangeable connection of certain pieces. Some examples can thus allow operators to quickly customize a press for cold forming operations.

For example, a shoe of a tooling set may include a dovetail recess (or protrusion) that receives (or is received in) a dovetail protrusion (or recess) on the first die to secure the first die to the press machine via the main shoe. Further, in some embodiments, a transition shoe may include a dovetail protrusion (or recess) that is received by (or receives) the dovetail recess (or protrusion) of the shoe. The transition shoe may further include a dovetail recess (or protrusion) to receive (or be received by) a dovetail protrusion (or recess) on a second die that is smaller than the first die. Using quick-engage and -release locking mechanisms, operators can thus quickly and selectively secure the transition shoe or the first die to a press, as well as quickly and interchangeably secure the second die and any number of other dies at the already-secured transition shoe.

Thus, in some arrangements, a transition shoe can serve as an intermediate body that can allow different dies to be easily attached to a press, without requiring replacement or reconfiguration of an engagement interface of the press. For example, some sets can include relatively small dies and relatively large dies that can be interchangeably and removably engaged with a press without removal of a main shoe from a clamp mechanism of the press. In some cases, a tooling set with a transition shoe and multiple dies of different sizes can notably improve the ability of operators to quickly transitioning between different types of cold forming operations on an active job site (e.g., to swage anchors of different sizes).

In one particular example, a tooling set for (or including) a dovetail press interface can include a transition shoe and at least two dies of different sizes. The transition shoe can include opposing dovetail structures (e.g., opposing dovetail recesses) to engage, respectively, a first of the dies and the dovetail press interface (e.g., a removable dovetail protrusion). The transition shoe can thus be used to easily and securely engage the first die with the press. Further, a second of the dies can include a dovetail formation (e.g., a dovetail recess) that is also arranged for a dovetail connection with the press at interface optimal relative sizes can be widths of dovetail formations at a press can be optimized relative to widths of

A dovetail connection in some examples can provide a connection that can be highly secure relative to a pressing direction, while also providing for relatively easy disconnect operations. Thus, dovetail connections may allow for relatively quick and non-specialized operations to swap one die for another. Further, in some examples of tooling sets (e.g., with a transition shoe and multiple dies), widths of different dovetail connections in a tooling set can be optimized to appropriate strength of connection with accessibility and ease of interchangeability. In other embodiments, however, other connection types are possible, including other connection types of transition shoes or on dies.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example tooling assembly 100 for cold forming operations, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tooling assembly 100 is removed from a press machine (not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) to highlight elements of the claimed invention. It should be understood that the tooling assembly 100 may be coupled to any conventional press machine using conventional methods (e.g., clamped into schematically indicated conventional press machine (or press) 98 in FIG. 2). Further, certain aspects of the tooling assembly 100 can be differently configured in some cases, according to various known techniques, to allow the tooling assembly 100 to be attached to a wide variety of known press types.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tooling assembly 100 includes a first half or first side tooling sub-assembly 104a and a second half or a second side tooling sub-assembly 104b. For convenience, only the first half 104a of the tooling assembly 100 is discussed in further detail herein. However, it is noted that the first half 104a and the second half 104b are substantially the same, and is a mirror symmetry of one another in the illustrated embodiment. Therefore, the below description with respect to the first half 104a may apply to the second half 104b in a similar fashion. Accordingly, if the tooling assembly 100 includes any element discussed with regard to the first half 104a, it may include an additional one of that same elements as part of the second half 104b. However, in other configurations, first and second halves of a tooling assembly may not necessarily be symmetrical or otherwise substantially the same.

The first half 104a may include a shoe or press shoe 108, a transition shoe 112, and a die 116. The shoe 108 is shown generally rectangular prismatic in shape, but may have other shapes. The shoe 108 may include a first shoe side 120, a second shoe side 122, a third shoe side 124, and a fourth shoe side 126. The first shoe side 120 and the second shoe side 122 may be planar (with some deviations, including as discussed below). Further, the first shoe side 120 and the second shoe side 122 may be laterally opposed to each other. The fourth shoe side 124 and the third shoe side 126 may be planar (with some deviations, including as discussed below). Further the fourth shoe side 124 and the third shoe side 126 may be laterally opposed to each other. The first shoe side 120 may have a first notch 128 that extends along the first shoe side 120, adjacent to the third shoe side 126. The second shoe side 122 may have a second notch 130 that extends along the second shoe side 122, adjacent to the third shoe side 126. The first notch 128 and the second notch 130 may be dimensioned to engage a press machine (not shown) to removably (e.g. semi-permanently) attach the shoe 108 to the press machine. In other embodiments, as generally noted above, other structures can also (or alternatively) be provided to allow a shoe to be attached to a press.

Generally, according to some embodiments, sets of recesses and protrusions can be provided on first and second components of a tooling assembly (e.g., on a shoe and a die, a shoe and a transition shoe, or vice versa), to allow the components to be removably secured together. In this regard, for example, a first dovetail formation (e.g., a dovetail recess 132, as shown) may be formed (e.g., cut) into the shoe 108 on the fourth shoe side 124. The first dovetail recess 132 may extend laterally through (e.g., fully through, as shown) the shoe 108, from the first shoe side 120 to the second shoe side 122. Relatedly, the transition shoe 112 may include a shoe side 134 and a die side 136, and the shoe side 134 of the transition shoe 112 may define a first dovetail formation (e.g., a dovetail protrusion 138, as shown) configured to form a dovetail connection with the dovetail formation on the shoe 108. In particular, for example, the dovetail recess 132 of the shoe 108 may be dimensioned to receive the dovetail protrusion 138 of the transition shoe 112. The dovetail protrusion 138 of the transition shoe 112 may be configured to slide laterally into the dovetail recess 132 of the shoe 108 with appropriate clearance (e.g., about 10-thousandth of an inch clearance) between the first dovetail protrusion 138 and the first dovetail recess 132.

Continuing, a transition shoe may also include features to allow connection with a die 116 opposite a connection to a shoe 108. For example, a second dovetail formation (e.g., a dovetail recess 140, as shown) may be formed (e.g., cut) into the transition shoe 112 on the die side 136. The second dovetail recess 140 may, for example, extend through the transition shoe 112 in a similar manner as the first dovetail recess 132 extends through the shoe 108. Relatedly, the die 116 may include a second dovetail formation (e.g., a dovetail protrusion 142, as shown) that is configured to removably engage a dovetail formation (e.g., the second dovetail recess 132) of the transition shoe 112. In this regard, via temporary dovetail connections, the die 116 may be removably secured to the press for cold forming operations. The second dovetail protrusion 142 of the die 116 may be configured to slide into the second dovetail recess 140 with appropriate clearance (e.g., about 10-thousandth of an inch clearance) between the second dovetail protrusion 142 and the second dovetail recess 140.

In some embodiments, additional features can be provided to further secure a temporary connection (e.g., a temporary dovetail connection) between a shoe and a transition shoe, between a transition shoe and a die, or between a shoe and a die. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the shoe 108 may include an aperture 141 disposed in a first shoe side 120 (and, generally, another aperture on second shoe side 122). The aperture 141 can be located along a central axis A and receives a first flange that may be configured to rotate on the transition shoe 112 to secure the transition shoe 112 in engagement with the shoe 108 in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction of the press. For example, in the illustrated example, a first flange screw 144 that is located along the first dovetail recess 132. The first flange 144 The first flange 144 may be a quarter-turn flange screw, as shown, or may be otherwise configured in other cases to be rotated by different amounts to lock or unlock a dovetail connection. The transition shoe 112 may similarly include a second flange (e.g., a quarter-turn second flange screw 146) that is located along the second dovetail recess 140. The second flange 146 may be configured to rotate onto the die 116 to secure the die 116 into the transition shoe 112 in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction of the press (see, e.g., block arrows indicating locking direction of rotation in FIG. 2).

Referring specifically to FIG. 1A, the tooling assembly 100 is shown in a first open configuration. As shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 1A, rebar 150 (or another component) may be inserted between the die 116 on the first half 104a and the die 116 on the second half 104b, with a donut anchor 152 (or other component, as appropriate) mounted on the rebar 150. Referring specifically to FIG. 1B, the tooling assembly 100 is shown in a second or closed configuration. As shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 1B, the anchor 152 is squeezed (e.g. swaged, or clamped) onto an end of the rebar 150. In a preferred embodiment, the die 116 on the first half 104a and the die 116 on the second half 104b do not contact each other in the closed configuration. Therefore, generally, the tooling may be appropriately dimensioned to effectively swage an anchor onto and end of a rebar without applying additional external forces to the die 116.

The tooling assembly 100 may transition from the first configuration (see FIG. 1A) to the second configuration (see FIG. 1B) to swage (i.e. squeeze or clamp) the anchor 152 onto the end of the rebar 150. The tooling assembly 100 may then transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration to release the rebar 150 with the swaged anchor 152 from between the die 116 of the first half 104a of the tooling assembly 100 and the die 116 of the second half 104b of the tooling assembly 100.

Referring specifically to the illustrated example, the anchor 152 may be a 1018 common steel. Further, in some embodiments, the anchor 152 may have a diameter of between about 1.5 inches and about 3.0 inches. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the anchor 152 may have a diameter of about 3.0 inches or less, or about 2.5 inches or less, or about 2.0 inches or less. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the anchor 152 may have a diameter of about 1.5 inches, or about 2.0 inches, or about 2.5 inches, or about 3.0 inches. In some embodiments, including as discussed below, an anchor or other component can alternatively have a larger dimension (e.g., more than about 3.0 inches).

FIG. 2 illustrates the first half 104a of the tooling assembly 100 that includes the die 116, the transition shoe 112, and the shoe 108. As shown in FIG. 2, a central axis A may extend in a pressing direction centrally through all the dovetail formations 132, 138, 140, 142. The first dovetail protrusion 138 and the first dovetail recess 132 may have outermost points (i.e. the points furthest away from axis A in an orthogonal direction with respect to axis A) that extend outwards from the transition shoe 112 at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to axis A. The first dovetail protrusion 138 (i.e. the dovetail protrusion on the transition shoe 112) may have a width W1 of between about 5.0 and about 6.0 inches. The second dovetail protrusion 142 (i.e. the dovetail protrusion on the die 116) may have a width W2 of between about 2.0 inches and about 3.0 inches. Therefore, the width W1 of the first dovetail protrusion 138 may generally be greater than the width W2 of the second dovetail protrusion 142. Further, in some cases, the width W2 may be smaller than a minimum width of the dovetail recess 132.

FIG. 3 further illustrate the die 116. The die 116 may include a cold forming profile 156 opposite the second dovetail protrusion 142 relative to a pressing direction of the press. The cold forming profile 156 may be sized for cold forming operations on components (e.g. rebar, anchors, etc.) of a first size. The cold forming profile 156 may have a diameter D1 of less than 3.0 inches, or of about 2.5 inches, including as may allow for cold forming of components up to about 3.0 inches in diameter. The cold forming profile 156 may include a first groove 158 that is centrally located along the cold forming profile 156 (i.e. at the center point of the perimeter of the first groove, which also intersects the axis A). The cold forming profile 156 can further include a second groove 160 and a third groove 162 that are equally spaced apart from the first groove 158 on either side of the first groove 158. The second groove 160 may curve tangentially into a first rib 164. The third groove 162 may curve tangentially into a second rib 166. The first rib 164 may have an inner planar surface that extends from the second groove 160 to an outer edge of the die 116. The second rib 166 may have an inner planar surface that extends from the third groove 162 to an outer edge of the first die 116.

In some embodiments, a release angle for a die can be formed to exhibit a particular value (e.g., within a particular range of values) that may assist in improved operation of the die and related assemblies. For example, the first rib 164 and the second rib 166 may form an angle Θ that is bisected by the axis A and the angle Θ may be at least 40 degrees. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the angle Θ may be between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees (inclusive), or between about 40 degrees and about 55 degrees (inclusive). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the angle Θ may be about 40 degrees, or about 45 degrees, or about 50 degrees, or about 55 degrees, or about 60 degrees. In particular, configurations of the angle Θ as disclosed herein has been found to help prevent swaged material from being stuck inside of dies after being swaged. Therefore, the angle Θ, as disclosed, may be a release angle that is critical for allowing swaged material to release with minimal effort when the tooling assembly 100 transitions from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In some cases, a release angle as noted above (e.g., of at least than 40 degrees, or between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees (inclusive)) can be particularly beneficial for use for cold forming of components that exhibit an un-deformed (i.e., pre-pressing) diameter of about 4 inches or less, or a deformed (i.e., post-pressing) diameter of about 3 inches or less. Allowing swaged material to easily release from dies during press operations can be important, for example, for reducing cycle time.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another configuration of the half 104a of the tooling assembly 100, with a different cold-forming die, as can form part of a larger tooling set with the transition shoe 112 and the die 116 (as well as the shoe 108, in some cases). In particular, the illustrated configuration includes a die 216 with a second dovetail formation (e.g., a dovetail protrusion 242, as shown). In particular, relative to the axis A, the dovetail protrusion 242 has a dovetail protrusion width W3 (see FIG. 6) that is sized to be received in the dovetail recess 132 (see FIG. 2). For example, the width W3 may be substantially equal to the width W1 (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 5 in particular, The die 216 also includes a cold forming profile 256 opposite the dovetail protrusion 242. In some cases, the die 216 can thus be selectively interchangeable with the transition shoe 112 for use with the shoe 108, and different dies can thus be interchangeably used with a press without replacing the main shoe 108. In this regard, for example, it may be useful for a dovetail formation on a particular die (e.g., the die 216) to exhibit the same nominal shape and dimensions as a dovetail formation on a particular transition shoe (e.g., the transition shoe 112), so that the same shoe (e.g., either of the shoes 108, 208) can be used for multiple dies of different sizes.

In the illustrated example, the configuration of the tooling assembly 100 in FIG. 4 does not include a transition shoe. Instead, as detailed above, the die 216 directly removably engages the shoe 108. Specifically, the dovetail protrusion 242 on the die 216 removably engages the dovetail recess 232 on the shoe 208. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the first flange screw 144 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) can thus be configured to rotate onto the die 116 to secure the die 116 into the shoe 108 in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction of the press.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the die 216 of the tooling assembly 200. The die 216 may be similar to the die 116 of the tooling assembly 100, with some differences as discussed below. As also generally noted above, the die 216 may include the cold forming profile 256, opposite to the dovetail protrusion 242 relative to the pressing direction of the press (e.g., parallel with the axis A). Similarly to the cold forming profile 156, the cold forming profile 256 includes a first groove 258, a second groove 260, a third groove 262, a first rib 264, a second rib 266, and a diameter D2. The cold forming profile 256 may have a diameter D2 of greater than about 3.0 inches, or of between about 5.0 inches and about 6.0 inches, or of between about 4.0 inches and about 6.0 inches. Generally, the die 216 of the tooling assembly 200 may be sized for cold forming operation on components (e.g. anchors, rebar, etc.) of a second size that is larger than the first size discussed earlier with respect to the cold forming profile 156 of the die 116 of the tooling assembly 100.

As shown in FIG. 6 in particular, the cold forming profile 256 may include the first groove 258, the second groove 260, and the third groove 262 in a similar configuration as the groves 158, 160, 162 of the cold forming profile 156 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). Further, the cold forming profile 256 may include the first rib 264 and the second rib 266 in a similar configuration as the first rib 164 and the second rib 166 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). However, the first rib 264 and the second rib 266 of the cold forming profile 256 may form a different angle 1 that is bisected by the axis A. For example, the angle 1 may be at least 45 degrees. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the angle Θ may be between about 45 degrees and about 60 degrees (inclusive), or between about 45 degrees and about 55 degrees (inclusive). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the angle 1 may be about 45 degrees, or about 50 degrees, or about 55 degrees, or about 60 degrees.

The ranges of the angle Φ as disclosed herein has been found to prevent swaged (or other cold-pressed) components from being stuck inside of dies after being swaged, particularly for components with a diameter of about 3.0 inches or more. Therefore, the angle Φ may be a release angle that is critical for allowing swaged material to be released with minimal effort when the tooling assembly 200 transitions from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates a tooling assembly 300 for cold forming operations, according to an example of the present disclosure. The tooling assembly 300 may be similar to the tooling assembly 100 except for as discussed herein. Similar numbering is used to describe similar structure between tooling assembly 100 and tooling assembly 300. For example, the tooling assembly 300 may include a first half or first side tooling sub-assembly 304a, and a second half or second side tooling sub-assembly 304b, each with a die 316 removably secured to a shoe 308. As with the tooling assembly 300, discussion below of aspects of one of the halves 304a, 304b of the tooling assembly is generally also applicable to the other of the halves 304b, 304a. Accordingly, if the tooling assembly 300 includes any element discussed with regard to the first half 304a, it may include an additional one of that same elements as part of the second half 304b. However, as also noted above, first and second halves of a tooling assembly may not necessarily be symmetrical or otherwise substantially the same in other configurations.

Continuing, the shoe 308 can include a first shoe side 320, a second shoe side 322, a third shoe side 324, and a fourth shoe side 326 and can thereby form a unitary dovetail formation 338 (e.g., a protrusion, as shown). The die 316 can include a complementary dovetail formation 332 (e.g., a recess, as shown), with a cold forming profile 356. For example, a similar profile as the cold forming profile 256 can be provided, with grooves 358, 360, 362, with ribs 364, 366, a diameter D3, and a release angle Φ between the ribs 364, 366.

In the illustrated configuration, the tooling assembly 300 does not include a transition shoe. Instead, the tooling assembly 300 includes the die 316 that directly removably engages the shoe 308, similar to the tooling assembly 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. However, a transition shoe (e.g., as discussed below) can be included in a tooling set with the die 316 (along with, in some cases, the shoe 308).

The shoe 308 of the tooling assembly 300 can also be different from the shoe 108 of the tooling assembly 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2). For example, the shoe 308 does not include a block body 118, 218 similar to the shoe 108 (see FIG. 1B) and is not configured for clamp attachment to a press. Instead, an outer profile of the shoe 308 as a whole is defined by a monolithic dovetail body 374. In particular, in the illustrated example, the dovetail body 374 exhibits a trapezoidal outer profile to define the dovetail protrusion 338, and is complementary to the recess of the dovetail formation 332. However, a different attachment body of a shoe may be defined by other shapes, including different polygons.

In order to provide easy transition between the die 316 and the shoe 308, the protruding body 374 of the shoe 308 may include rounded corners 382 to enable a clearance fit between the die 316 and the shoe 308. In other embodiments, however, otherwise contoured corners are possible.

To allow fast and secure assembly (and easy disassembly), the shoe 308 may be configured for connection to a press (e.g., removable connection to press 298, as schematically shown in FIG. 8). In some examples, the shoe 308 can include a plurality of apertures 376 along the fourth shoe side 326 as can be used to removably couple the shoe to a press using threaded or other fasteners (not shown). Thus, for example, the shoe 308 can be readily attached to any number of different presses to accommodate various tooling sets as disclosed herein, while also providing a relatively low profile but accessible interface for attaching dies or transition shoes. In some configurations, however, the apertures 376 may not be included (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) and a shoe can be otherwise secured to a press (e.g., be included integrally in a permanent interface of the press). In some examples, the dovetail body 374 of the shoe 308 may be welded onto a press, clamped using conventional clamping devices for shoes, or otherwise more permanently secured.

Generally, the die 316 can be secured to the shoe 308 (and thereby the relevant press), similarly to the transition shoe 112 or the die 216, as discussed above. For example, after the die 316 is slid laterally into aligned engagement with the shoe 308, a flanged screw similar to the screw 144 can be used (e.g., with corresponding holes provided on either lateral side of the die 316, similar to the holes 141 discussed above).

Specifically referring to FIG. 8, one end of the die 316 is coupled to the trapezoidal dovetail body 374 and the other end of die 316 includes the cold forming profile 356. As shown in FIG. 8, the cold forming profile 356 can thus receive an anchor 352 and squeeze the anchor 352 onto an end of rebar (not shown in FIG. 8). Similarly to other dies discussed herein, the cold forming profile 356 can include a first groove 358, a second groove 360, a third groove 362, a first rib 364, a second rib 366, and a diameter D3. The release angle Φ of the cold forming profile 356 between the first rib 364 and the second rib 366 may be more than about 45 degrees and less than 60 degrees, as can be optimal for larger sizes of anchors or other components (e.g., about 3 inches or larger, post-pressing, or about 4 inches or larger, pre-pressing). In some cases, the die 316 may include a counterbore or countersink 378 defining a profile periphery 380 of the cold forming profile 356 and a corresponding tooling profile diameter.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another configuration of the tooling assembly 300, with a different cold-forming die and a transition shoe, as can form part of a tooling set with the die 316 (as well as the shoe 308, in some cases). In particular, the illustrated configuration of the tooling assembly 300 includes a different configuration of the first tooling sub-assembly 304a and the second tooling sub-assembly 304b so that a different die can be attached, respectively, to each of the shoes 308.

Considering the sub-assembly 304a in particular for initial discussion, a transition shoe 412 includes a first dovetail formation 432, and a second dovetail formation 440 on an opposite side of the transition shoe 412 in a pressing direction (e.g., along axis C). In particular, the dovetail formations 432, 440 can advantageously both be dovetail recesses that extend into the opposing sides of the transition shoe 412, (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). Generally, the formation 432 can be sized to be removably engaged with the dovetail formation 338 of the shoe 308, and a dovetail formation 442 of the die 416 (e.g., a dovetail protrusion, as shown) can be sized to be removably engaged with the dovetail formation 440. Correspondingly, the die 416 can be secured to a press via the transition shoe 412 to conduct cold forming operations on an anchor 452 (see FIG. 10) or other component with a cold forming profile 456 that is opposite the dovetail formation 442.

As shown in the illustrated configurations of the sub-assemblies 304, 304b, the relative dimensions of the various dovetail formations perpendicular to the pressing direction (and perpendicular to an elongate direction of rebar received in the assembly 300 for tooling operations) can be optimized in some cases to balance strength of attachment, ease of installation, and adaptability to different die sizes. More specifically, relative to this noted reference frame and as shown in FIG. 10, the dovetail connection between the transition shoe 412 and the shoe 308 defines a dovetail formation width W5 as a largest dimension. Further, with the same reference frame, the dovetail connection between the transition shoe 412 and the die 416 defines a dovetail formation width W6 as a largest dimension, and a dovetail formation width W7 as a smallest dimension. Thus, advantageously, the width W5 can be smaller than the width W6, as can provide for suitably robust allocation of structural material and connections, in combination with a suitably low profile connection at the press. Likewise, the width W5 can advantageously be smaller than the width W7, including to help avoid inadvertent reversal of the orientation of the transition shoe 412 during installation, as can result in slower or failed installation (e.g., due to jamming of the components). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 in particular, the width W5 can advantageously be larger than the diameter D4, smaller than the diameter D3, smaller than the tooling profile diameter defined by the tooling profile periphery 380 (see FIG. 8), or larger than a tooling profile diameter defined by the similar profile periphery 480 (see FIG. 10), collectively, individually or in various combinations of two or more.

As noted above, use of a two dovetail recesses on a transition shoe can also be advantageous, including to provide easier and lower profile installation of a dovetail formation— as a dovetail protrusion) on a press, and to allow more adaptable attachment of dies of a wide range of sizes. To this end, for example, a web 484 extends between the first and second dovetail recess 432, 440 with a thickness T along the pressing direction. In particular, the transition shoe 412 is formed as an I-shaped body, with the web 484 of the transition shoe 412 extending in an elongate direction perpendicular to the thickness T to connect opposed wider flanges 486, 488.

In some cases, an entire die can be formed as a dovetail formation or can otherwise be configured to fit within a corresponding dovetail recess on a tooling sub-assembly (e.g., entirely, except for any protruding portion of a cold forming profile). For example, an entire die can be formed as a trapezoidal dovetail formation that is sized to be received in a dovetail recess on a shoe or a transition shoe, with deviations from an outer trapezoidal profile only along contact and relief portions of a tooling profile for pressing operations. In some cases, a die can be formed as a trapezoidal dovetail formation with an outer trapezoidal profile that can be entirely received into the recess relative to a pressing direction (or relative to a pressing direction and one or more directions perpendicular thereto).

Specifically referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a body of the die 416 is configured to fit entirely within the second dovetail recess 440, relative to the pressing direction. In other words, the die 416 can be sized not extend out of the dovetail recess 440 in the pressing direction, other than potentially along contact and relief portions of the cold forming profile 456. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, the die 416 exhibits a trapezoidal outer profile relative to a plan view that is perpendicular to the pressing direction D and perpendicular to a contact axis perpendicular to the pressing direction (e.g., a vertical contact axis VA for the sub-assembly 404a as shown, or a similar, parallel contact axis for the sub-assembly 404b).

As seen in the view of FIG. 10, the die 416 has a first die side 502 opposite a second die side 504, and a third die side or press side 508 opposite a fourth die side (or tooling side) 506. In the illustrated example, the die 416 includes curved junctions between some adjacent sets of sides as illustrated. In other examples, differently curved, chamfered, or edge junctions are also possible. The fourth die side 506 provides a narrowest dimension of the trapezoidal outer profile and is configured specifically as a tooling side that includes the cold forming profile 456. Accordingly, when the die 416 is received in the dovetail recess 440 (as also discussed below), the fourth die side 506 is oriented to expose the cold forming profile 456 for pressing operations.

In some cases, including in the illustrated example, the fourth die side 506 is flush with or recessed away from a pressing-side surface 496 of the die 416 (e.g., along one or both of the flanges 486, 488) that coincides with a contact axis for pressing operations (e.g., a vertical contact axis VA as shown). In some examples, the die 416 is sized to be removably received within the second dovetail recess 440, with junctions 506a, 506b between the fourth die side 506 and the first and second die sides 502, 504 being recessed away from or flush with an end of the transition shoe 412 that is opposite the first dovetail recess 432 in the pressing direction. Thus, for example, an entire outer trapezoidal profile of the die 416 can be received within the dovetail formation 440, with potential extension outside of the formation 440 only as needed to provide the profile 456. In some cases, including as shown for the die 416, a die body can be substantially entirely received within a dovetail recess (i.e., received so that substantially all of a length of the die body in a pressing direction is within the dovetail recess).

Generally, the die 416 can be configured for cold forming operations on smaller components than is the die 316. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the cold forming profile 456 includes grooves 458, 460, 462, with ribs 464, 466, and a diameter D4. The release angle Θ of the cold forming profile 456 between the ribs 464, 466 may be between about 40 degrees and 60 degrees. Thus, for example, the tooling sub-assemblies shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be utilized for cold forming operations on larger components (e.g., anchors of 3 inches or larger, post-pressing, or of 4 inches or larger, pre-pressing) and the tooling sub-assemblies shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be readily swapped in for cold forming operations on smaller components (e.g., anchors of 3 inches or less, post-pressing, or of 4 inches or less, pre-pressing). Although some examples herein include a particular number of grooves and ribs, other examples can include differently configured cold forming profiles (e.g., with differently numbered or arranged grooves).

In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can be used, manufactured, or installed using methods embodying aspects of the invention. Correspondingly, any description herein of particular features, capabilities, or intended uses of a device or system is generally intended to include disclosure of a method of using such devices for the intended purposes, of a method of otherwise implementing such capabilities, of a method of manufacturing relevant components of such a device or system (or the device or system as a whole), and of a method of installing disclosed (or otherwise known) components to support such purposes or capabilities. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated, discussion herein of any method of manufacturing or use for a particular device or system, including installing the device or system, is intended to inherently include disclosure, as examples of the disclosed technology, of the utilized features and configurations, and implemented capabilities of such device or system.

In this regard, for example, FIG. 11 illustrates example operations for a method 1100 for conducting cold forming operations. In some cases, the method 1100 can be implemented using the tooling assembly 100, 200, 300, 400. In other cases, the method 1100 can be implemented with other tooling assemblies. Generally, the method 1100 can be executed manually (e.g., via manual control of a press). In some cases, the method 1100 can be implemented using one or more automated processes (e.g., via automated computerized control of a press).

The method 1100 may include securing 1102 a transition shoe to a shoe of a press. In some implementations, securing 1102 the transition shoe may include securing the transition shoe to a shoe of a press, using a first dovetail connection between the transition shoe and the shoe. The method 1100 may further include securing 1104 a die to the transition shoe, e.g., using a second dovetail connection between the die and the transition shoe. Generally, the method 1100 may be used to easily move (e.g., slide) a transition shoe or die into engagement with a press to ease servicing or replacing the transition shoe or die.

The method 1100 may further include operating 1106 the press to conduct cold forming operations using a cold forming profile of the die. In some implementations, the press may be operated to swage an anchor onto the head of a rebar, as discussed earlier herein. In some implementations, other cold forming operations may be possible. Furthermore, the press may be any type of conventional press.

The method 1100 may further include removing 1108 the transition shoe from the press. For example, the transition shoe may be removed from the press by turning a quarter turn flange, and by sliding the transition shoe out of the press in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction of the press. The method 1100 may further include securing 1110 a second die to the shoe of the press, in place of the transition shoe, using a third dovetail connection between the second die and the shoe. Generally, the method 1100 may thus be used to easily engage a die with a shoe of a press to ease servicing or replacing the die. Further, by removing the transition shoe, operators may use a die that is sized for cold forming operations on components of a larger size than components used when the transition shoe is present in the press, without necessarily needing to replace a shoe of the press to accommodate the different size(s) of the die(s).

The method 1100 may further include operating 1112 the press to conduct cold forming operations using a cold forming profile of the second die. In some examples, the press may be operated to swage an anchor onto the head of a rebar, as discussed earlier herein,

Generally, examples of the disclosed technology, including the tooling assemblies 100, 300 and the method 1100, can be used to ease servicing and replacement of tooling that is secured to a press. Additionally, particular structures on die components, including as described for the tooling assemblies 100, 300, can allow for swaged material to be released with relatively minimal effort, thereby reducing cycle time.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “about” and “approximately,” as used herein with respect to a reference value, refer to variations from the reference value of ±20% or less (e.g., ±15, ±10%, ±5%, etc.), inclusive of the endpoints of the range. Similarly, as used herein with respect to a reference value, the term “substantially equal” (and the like) refers to variations from the reference value of less than ±5% (e.g., ±2%, ±1%, ±0.5%) inclusive. Where specified in particular, “substantially” can indicate a variation in one numerical direction relative to a reference value. For example, the term “substantially less” than a reference value (and the like) indicates a value that is reduced from the reference value by 30% or more (e.g., 35%, 40%, 50%, 65%, 80%), and the term “substantially more” than a reference value (and the like) indicates a value that is increased from the reference value by 30% or more (e.g., 35%, 40%, 50%, 65%, 80%).

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or specified, “substantially identical” refers to two or more components or systems that are manufactured or used according to the same process and specification, with variation between the components or systems that are within the limitations of acceptable tolerances for the relevant process and specification. For example, two components can be considered to be substantially identical if the components are manufactured according to the same standardized manufacturing steps, with the same materials, and within the same acceptable dimensional tolerances (e.g., as specified for a particular process or product).

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, “rebar” refers to a reinforcing bar or reinforcement bar of various known forms, as may be used, for example, to provide structural strength in construction of building or other large structures.

Also as used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, “or” indicates a non-exclusive list of components or operations that can be present in any variety of combinations, rather than an exclusive list of components that can be present only as alternatives to each other. For example, a list of “A, B, or C” indicates options of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; and A, B, and C. Correspondingly, the term “or” as used herein is intended to indicate exclusive alternatives only when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” For example, a list of “only one of A, B, or C” indicates options of: A, but not B and C; B, but not A and C; and C, but not A and B. In contrast, a list preceded by “one or more” (and variations thereon) and including “or” to separate listed elements indicates options of one or more of any or all of the listed elements. For example, the phrases “one or more of A, B, or C” and “at least one of A, B, or C” indicate options of: one or more A; one or more B; one or more C; one or more A and one or more B; one or more B and one or more C; one or more A and one or more C; and one or more A, one or more B, and one or more C. Similarly, a list preceded by “a plurality of” (and variations thereon) and including “or” to separate listed elements indicates options of multiple instances of any or all of the listed elements. For example, the phrases “a plurality of A, B, or C” and “two or more of A, B, or C” indicate options of: one or more A and one or more B; one or more B and one or more C; one or more A and one or more C; and one or more A, one or more B, and one or more C.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the invention has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A tooling set for cold forming operations, the tooling set comprising:

a first removable dovetail formation that is removably securable to a first side of a press for cold forming and a second removable dovetail formation that is removably securable to a second side of the press;

a first removable die arrangement and a second removable die arrangement, each of the first and second removable die arrangements including, respectively: a transition shoe that includes a first dovetail formation, and a second dovetail formation opposite the first dovetail formation relative to a pressing direction, wherein the first dovetail formation is removably engageable with the first or the second removable dovetail formation, respectively, to secure the transition shoe to the press; and a die that includes a third dovetail formation and a first cold forming profile, the third dovetail formation being removably engageable with the second dovetail formation on the transition shoe to removably secure the die to the press, via the transition shoe, for cold forming operations.

2. The tooling set of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second removable die arrangements further includes:

a second die that includes a fourth dovetail formation removably engageable with either of the first or second removable dovetail formations to secure the second die to the press in place of the corresponding transition shoe;

wherein the second die includes a second cold forming profile different from the first cold forming profile, opposite the fourth dovetail formation relative to the pressing direction.

3. The tooling set of claim 2, wherein the first cold forming profile is sized for cold forming operations on components of a first size, and the second cold forming profile is sized for cold forming operations on components of a second size that is larger than the first size.

4. The tooling set of claim 3, wherein the first cold forming profile is sized to clamp a first anchor of the first size onto rebar and includes a release angle of at least about 40 degrees, the first size corresponding to a first outer diameter of the first anchor.

5. The tooling set of claim 3, wherein the second cold forming profile is sized to clamp a second anchor of the second size onto rebar and includes a release angle of at least about 45 degrees, the second size corresponding to a second outer diameter of the second anchor.

6. The tooling set of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second cold forming profiles includes a release angle of at least about 40 degrees and less than 60 degrees to clamp anchors onto rebar.

7. The tooling set of claim 1, wherein, perpendicular to the pressing direction, a largest dimension of the first removable dovetail formation is smaller than a largest dimension of the first dovetail formation of the first removable die arrangement.

8. The tooling set of claim 1, wherein, for the first removable die arrangement, the third dovetail formation of the die includes a dovetail protrusion that is sized to be received in a dovetail recess of the second dovetail formation of the transition shoe; and

wherein, perpendicular to the pressing direction, a largest dimension of the dovetail protrusion is greater than a largest dimension of the first removable dovetail formation of the first removable die arrangement.

9. The tooling set of claim 1, wherein, for the first removable die arrangement, the die includes a trapezoidal outer profile including first, second, and third sides that form the third dovetail formation and a fourth side that extends between the first and second sides and includes the first cold forming profile.

10. The tooling set of claim 1, wherein, for the first removable die arrangement, the die includes first, second, and third sides that form the third dovetail formation and a fourth side that extends between the first and second sides to form the first cold forming profile; and

wherein the die of the first removable die arrangement is sized to be removably received within a dovetail recess of the second dovetail formation, with junctions between the fourth side of the die and each of the first and third sides of the die being recessed away from or flush with an end surface of the transition shoe, the end surface being opposite the first dovetail formation in the pressing direction and including the second dovetail formation.

11. The tooling set of claim 1, wherein, for the first removable die arrangement, a body of the die is sized to be removably received substantially entirely within a dovetail recess of the second dovetail formation, relative to the pressing direction.

12. A tooling set for cold forming operations, the tooling set comprising:

a transition shoe that includes a first dovetail recess on a first side of the transition shoe configured to engage a dovetail protrusion on a press, and a second dovetail recess on a second side of the transition shoe that is opposite the first side in a pressing direction; and

a die that includes a cold forming profile and a dovetail protrusion that is removably received in the second dovetail recess, to secure the die to the transition shoe for attachment to the press.

13. The tooling set of claim 12, wherein a largest dimension of the die in the pressing direction is substantially equal to a largest dimension of the second dovetail recess in the pressing direction.

14. The tooling set of claim 12, wherein the die defines a trapezoidal outer profile, with the cold forming profile being recessed to deviate from the trapezoidal outer profile along a pressing side of the die.

15. The tooling set of claim 12, wherein the cold forming profile has a release angle of at least about 40 degrees as measured between a first rib and a second rib of the cold forming profile.

16. The tooling set of claim 15, wherein the release angle is less than 60 degrees.

17. The tooling set of claim 16, wherein the cold forming profile is sized to shape a donut anchor to a post-pressing diameter of less than about 3 inches.

18. The tooling set of claim 16, wherein the cold forming profile is sized to shape a donut anchor having a diameter of about 3 inches or more; and

wherein the release angle is at least about 45 degrees.

19. The tooling set of claim 16, wherein the cold forming profile includes a first groove that is centrally located along the cold forming profile, a second groove, and a third groove, wherein the second and third groove are equally spaced apart from the first groove on either side of the first groove.

20. A method of conducting cold forming operations, the method comprising:

securing a transition shoe of a tooling set to a press, using a first dovetail connection between the transition shoe and the press, including engaging a first dovetail recess on a first side of the transition shoe with a dovetail protrusion on the press;

securing a die of the tooling set to the press via the transition shoe, using a second dovetail connection between the die and the transition shoe, including removably inserting a dovetail protrusion of the die into a second dovetail recess on a second side of the transition shoe that is opposite the first side in a pressing direction; and

after securing the die to the press via the transition shoe, operating the press to conduct cold forming operations using a cold forming profile of the die.