Slug retention groove forming machine and method of use and operation thereof

A machine for modifying a sidewall defining a die cavity formed in a die with a slug retention groove comprising:

• a base grounding the machine to the die adjacent the die cavity;
• a slide arrangement carried by the base, the slide arrangement comprised of a movable slide block that is movable relative to the die cavity in a direction toward or away from the cavity-defining sidewall;
• a machining head carried by the movable slide block, the machining head comprised of a slug retention groove forming tool used to form a slug retention groove in the cavity-defining sidewall;
• and
• a stop that operatively cooperates with one of the slide arrangement and machining head to limit movement of at least one of the machining head and tool relative to the cavity-defining sidewall;
• wherein the stop is configured to provide a predetermined pre-slug retention groove machining head start position relative to the cavity-defining sidewall before the machining head and tool is displaced downwardly and into the die cavity to machine the slug retention groove therein;
• and
• wherein the stop is configured to enable adjustment of the predetermined pre-slug retention groove machining head start position.

A machine for modifying a sidewall defining a die cavity formed in a die with a slug retention groove comprising:

• a base grounding the machine to the die adjacent the die cavity;
• a slide arrangement carried by the base, the slide arrangement comprised of a movable slide block that is movable relative to the die cavity in a direction toward or away from the cavity-defining sidewall;
• a machining head carried by the movable slide block, the machining head comprised of a slug retention groove forming tool used to form a slug retention groove in the cavity-defining sidewall;
• and
• a machining head motion limiter that limits a distance of travel of the machining head in a direction toward the cavity-defining sidewall;
• wherein the motion limiter is comprised of one part of the movable slide block that abuts against another part of the slide arrangement that is fixed or grounded when the machining head reaches a position of bottom-most distance of travel relative to the die cavity and cavity-defining sidewall.

A machine for modifying a sidewall defining a die cavity formed in a die with a slug retention groove comprising:

• a base grounding the machine to the die adjacent the die cavity;
• a slide arrangement carried by the base, the slide arrangement comprised of a movable slide block that is movable relative to the die cavity in a direction toward or away from the cavity-defining sidewall;
• and
• a machining head carried by the movable slide block, the machining head comprised of a slug retention groove forming tool used to form a slug retention groove in the cavity-defining sidewall;
• wherein the slide arrangement further comprises a machining head return position biasing element that urges the movable slide block away from the die cavity returning the slug retention forming tool and machining head to an initial or setup position.

A machine for modifying a sidewall defining a die cavity formed in a die with a slug retention groove comprising:

• a base grounding the machine to the die adjacent the die cavity;
• a slide arrangement carried by the base, the slide arrangement comprised of a movable slide block that is movable relative to the die cavity in a direction toward or away from the cavity-defining sidewall;
• a machining head carried by the movable slide block, the machining head comprised of a slug retention groove forming tool used to form a slug retention groove in the cavity-defining sidewall;
• and
• an imaging system comprised of (a) a camera received in a camera support that is releasably and movably mounted on the die adjacent the cavity-defining sidewall to image a slug retention groove being formed therein, and (b) a display mounted to the machine for transport therewith, the display connected to the camera for displaying images therefrom;
• wherein the camera Support is comprised of a magnetic base that releasably and movably attaches the camera support to the die.