Short answer
Deposit 0.0002" to 0.001" of tungsten carbide with the Carbitron 300 on the sides, face or both, wherever the punch or die is wearing. Most often the sides are coated and the face is ground. The fused deposit is 78 to 80 Rockwell C, and Hunter Products rates forming, stamping and forging tools at 5x to 10x their standard life.
Good jobs for tungsten carbide
- Punches and dies in stamping and blanking
- Forming and forging tools and their contact surfaces
- Casting molds and other wear surfaces
- Repairing worn parts and resizing worn tools back into tolerance
How much to deposit
| Part | Deposit | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Punches and dies | 0.0002" to 0.001" | Sides, face or both, wherever it wears. Most commonly the sides, with the face ground afterward. |
| Casting molds and non-cutting wear surfaces | 0.0002" to 0.004" | The entire wear surface, depending on the thickness that can be tolerated |
Deposit thickness is set on the power supply from 0.0002" to 0.001" in 0.0002" steps. For build-ups above 0.001", contact us for the procedure.
Step by step
- 01
Find the wear
Check where the punch or die is losing size or edge: sides, face or both. That is where the carbide goes.
- 02
Set the thickness
Choose 0.0002" to 0.001" on the discharge intensity selector, based on how much build-up the clearance can tolerate.
- 03
Deposit on the wear area
Connect the ground cable to the part and work the vibrating electrode over the wear area. For the smoothest surface, move the electrode briskly side to side.
- 04
Finish coat and grind
After a heavier coat, apply a light 0.0002" finish coat. When the sides are coated, grind the face.
- 05
Stone
Lightly stone the deposit with a cubic boron nitride or diamond stone to remove burrs.
Why deposit instead of replace
A new punch or die means the tool cost plus the downtime to source and set it up. Depositing tungsten carbide on the wear area of the tool you already have takes it back toward size with a 78 to 80 Rockwell C working surface. The Carbitron 300 is $495, and replacement electrodes are $12.50.
Frequently asked questions
Can tungsten carbide be added to a worn punch or die?
Yes. The Carbitron 300 deposits 0.0002" to 0.001" of tungsten carbide onto the wear area, which can bring a worn tool back toward size.
Where on a punch should the carbide go?
Wherever it wears. Most commonly the sides are coated and the face is ground afterward.
How smooth is the deposit?
Moving the electrode briskly side to side and finishing with a light 0.0002" coat gives the smoothest surface. A light stone with CBN or diamond removes remaining burrs.
How long will a treated die last?
Hunter Products rates forming, stamping and forging tools at 5x to 10x their standard life with a tungsten carbide deposit.
Not sure how much carbide your tool needs?
Tell us the tool, the material it cuts or forms, and where it wears. The people who build the Carbitron will tell you how to apply it.