The clamping force measuring system is designed to verify the clamping forces of press and quick die clamping systems in forming machines / die presses.

Critical to a streamlined production environment, after performing a high-number of quick die changes, it is crucial to include preventive maintenance (PM) inspection on all clamping mechanisms. As part of a checklist in quality inspections for dies, the quick die clamping system cannot go left unchecked. While these systems are designed for continuous quick die change with minimal maintenance, it is highly recommended to verify press clamping forces to ensure high production-quality standards.

The press clamping force measuring system includes a wired or wireless display unit, measuring cable (if wired), and a force-sensing clamping head, inverted and customized to the press clamping mechanism specifications.

Force data from a wireless sensor can be actively uploaded to a PC or tablet, and would be compatible with ForceCheck sensor reading software that converts the data to automatically graph a force-time relationship and export to a spreadsheet (Excel/CSV) format. Advantages to this include the ability to track and predict press clamping issues before they occur and prevent the risk of halting production unnecessarily.Press clamping gauge readings could indicate a potential failure to occur in the future if the force drops over a long period of time. A number of problems could cause this to happen not necessarily related to the clamping mechanisms. While following the troubleshooting instructions or checklist of a die press system setup, a red flag during regular preventive maintenance could indicate:

• A leak, failure, or a reduction of pressure in the hydraulic system

• Quick-die-change mechanisms may require lubrication, maintenance, or adjustment

• A loss of mechanical or hydraulic pressure adjustment or offset
  
  

When a press clamping system leaves the quality threshold, or goes below a minimum-average clamping/pressing pressure, it is an indication of a possible future catastrophic failure with the entire pressing system.

In the case of regular PM, the cost of PM equipment itself is clearly less than the potentially high repair costs of downed machinery and a halted production line when problems can be detected and fixed early. The quality of the press force gauge PM equipment is also of concern – while some manufacturers might get away with having cheap and lower-end force checking equipment, it is still a risk. ForceCheck clamping gauges are designed to specification by engineers with vast experience with the clamping-mechanism being checked itself, rather than a hunk of metal that just measures a number on a dial gauge. Instead, ForceCheck sensors offer the correct force-measurement range and calibration needed for the die clamping mechanisms. ForceCheck clamp and pressure checking gauges are more of a necessity than an accessory for die press clamping inspectors and operators, since PM is most likely already a priority.

The press clamping head sensors are designed to be an inverted version of the clamping-mechanism it measures. There may be other requirements involved, such as a flange and/or locking mechanism to act like the clamp itself, as well as be durable enough to withstand and accurately measure the press clamping tension. Clamping head sensor designs are not limited to manufacturer and may be retrofitted to other specifications if needed.