Interesting Die and Tooling Stuff

Interesting Tool and Die Stuff, May 6th Dump

This is no canyon, this is a crack in a steel bar from an electron microscope. I would still visit their though, if I could get myself small enough.

Here's our floor managers new tool. The cat o' nine tails, this keeps the shop floor running!

Thanks from the massive team of writers, editors and artists here at the Carbide Dies Blog!

Where are Carbide Die Companies Located?

Tool and die is the heart of manufacturing, specialized workers make the parts that make the parts. These dies need to be made special, one at a time by skilled die makers. Unfortunately, the number of companies that do this has been contracting since the late 90's. However, current trends show that this may be reversing. Particularly among highly specialized die makers, such as carbide die companies. So where are these companies located?

According to the US bureau of Labor Statistics (2001 to 2010)
Top States in Tool, Die, and Mold Employment  States ranked by 2010 employment.

State                  2001              2010              Percent Change 
Michigan          30,208           18,871                     -27%
Ohio                17,056           11,075                     -28
Illinois              12,822             6,815                     -31
Pennsylvania    11,811             6,476                     -30
Wisconsin          7,309             5,359                     -13
Indiana               8,571            5,228                     -31
California           7,253             4,885                     -23
Missouri             4,371            3,133                     -11
New York          5,171            2,783                    -30
Minnesota           3,933            2,749                    -13

Clearly, tool and die companies are mostly located in the Midwest of the United States. American tool and die companies face there toughest competition from Japan, although the Japanese manufacturers face longer lead times. This extended lead time causes problems due to lean manufacturing principles. Currently the Chinese tool and die industry seems to only be producing lower quality tooling. This is particularly true in the carbide die industry, where the Chinese dies tend to fall apart under the rigors of mass production. This causes damage to other tooling and I have heard more than one person comment that they are "garbage".

Tool and die is a vital resource for any manufacturing economy, and one that America would do well to maintain.

Tool & Die Life

As we all know, tool and die can be frustrating at times. Late parts, people freaking out about machines being down. These are called Yelling Plants. People spend there time screaming about how tens of thousands of dollars are being lost because a certain die isn't here. So relax for a second and enjoy...

 "Tis not our job to ask why, tis our job to tool and die"

Also, check out the tool and die quotes

Tool and Die Quotes and Sayings

Machinists are famous for making everything we use or the parts that make the things we use... but only slightly less know for their quotes and colorful phrases.  Terms like screw, tailstock, ball, butt and nuts are common. So here are some of the quotes that have come out of the tool and die trade, enjoy!

A machinist is a man that washes his hands before and after he pees.

Last week I couldn't spell Machinist now I are one!

"Machinist's do it accurately"

Machinists do it "round and round" and "up and down.

"Happiness is a good tight screw".

Your car cost $40,000, So What, My machine cost $150,000 and it will make car parts.

If you Break it We can Make.

I worked my whole life as a Machinist, and all I got was Dead Nuts!

May the laws of physics be with you

You can always tell a good Master machinist, They still have all of there fingers!

It can be done three ways:
           GOOD
           FAST
           CHEAP
You only get to pick two of the three
If it is done GOOD and FAST it can't be CHEAP.
If it is done GOOD and CHEAP it can't be FAST.
IF it is done FAST and CHEAP it can't be GOOD.

"He who does not specify what he wants, deserves what he gets."

MINE IS NOT TO ASK WHY
MINE IS JUST TO TOOL AND DIE !

I am a Machinist. My ability to create is limited only by you inability to envision.

GOD must've been a Machinist with a killer piece of stock.

I am a Machinist. I didn't envision, plan, or design this part. But if you leave me alone long enough, I'll make it work.

The Hindenburg and the Titanic. Don't blame the Machinists. We just make whatever the Enigneers design.

Tinkering your way to a Tool Shop Empire!!!

Here are several more arch-type tinkerers. The first one is an arcane tinkerer; in fantasy worlds they build the gadgets. Zeppelins and golems would be more up their alley then building carbide dies and tooling. The next tinkerer is called the "Mad tinkerer" and he is an enemy of Spiderman. This tinkerer uses his skills to make armies of robots, or something like that. The third and final tinkerer is Steve Jobs, Steve was one of the founders of Apple and famously tinkered in his garage to make the first Apple computer.

So, the next time you’re doing some grinding and your table stops (hydrollics?) or you jam your lathe, think of your favorite tinkerer and have fun with this opportunity... or just grumble and cuss and get to work, both ways work just fine but the spirit of the tinkerer is still with in yee.