×

Two-piece guide pin and method

  • US 8,616,038 B2
  • Filed: 06/02/2010
  • Issued: 12/31/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a method for making a metal forming die of the type having first and second die members mounted a spaced apart distance from one another for mutual reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, a biasing member disposed between the first and second die members for biasing the same to the diverged position, and at least one modular guided keeper assembly disposed between the first and second die members for precisely guiding and limiting the reciprocal motion therebetween, the improvement comprising:

  • forming a guided keeper base with a mounting face shaped to abut an adjacent face of the first die member, at least one connector portion for detachably mounting the guided keeper base to the first die member, and a central aperture extending axially through a central portion of the guided keeper base;

    forming a guided keeper guide pin with a cylindrically-shaped central portion shaped for close reception in the central aperture of the guided keeper base, a first end with an enlarged head shaped to operatively engage the guided keeper base to positively limit travel between the first and second members, and a second end with an alignment member to precisely locate the second end of the guided keeper guide pin on the second die member;

    includingselecting an elongate, solid bar of steel guide pin body stock with a cylindrical shape and a hard and smooth finished exterior surface having a predetermined outside diameter selected for close reception in the central aperture of the guided keeper base;

    cutting a preselected length of the bar of guide pin body stock to define a guide pin body having first and second ends;

    selecting an elongate, solid bar of guide pin head stock having a predetermined outside diameter that is substantially greater than the outside diameter of the bar of guide pin body stock;

    cutting a preselected length of the bar of guide pin head stock to define a guide pin head; and

    rigidly connecting the guide pin head with the first end of the guide pin body in a generally concentric relationship to define the enlarged head that serves to positively limit travel between the first and second die members;

    forming at least one fastener aperture in the first die member at a preselected location;

    inserting the central portion of the guide pin body into the central aperture in the guide pin base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the first and second die members;

    engaging a fastener with the connector portion of the guided keeper base and anchoring the fastener in the fastener aperture in the first die member to securely, yet detachably, mount the guided keeper base on the first die member;

    engaging the alignment member on the second end of the guided keeper guide pin with the second die member to precisely locate the second end of the guided keeper guide pin on the second die member; and

    securely, yet detachably, connecting the second end of the guide pin body with the second die member.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×