Smart trim die assembly

A smart trim die assembly comprising:

• a first die and a second die moveable relative to the first die between an open position and a closed position during a stroke, and a cavity formed between the first die and the second die in the closed position for casting a part;
• a runner cutter for trimming runners around the part when the first die and the second die are moved into close proximity
• at least one sensor for measuring a distance between the first die and the second die;
• a first tool integrated into the first die or the second die for performing one of piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory device for receiving measurements from the at least one sensor, the memory device further containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in response to the at least one sensor reading a first predetermined distance:
• instruct the first tool to perform one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations.

A smart trim die assembly comprising:

• a first die and a second die moveable relative to the first die between an open position and a closed position during a stroke, and a cavity formed between the first die and the second die in the closed position for casting a part;
• at least one sensor for measuring a distance between the first die and the second die;
• a first tool integrated into the first die or the second die for performing one of piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations, wherein the first tool includes a lower pierce assembly for piercing certain regions of the part;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory device for receiving measurements from the at least one sensor, the memory device further containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in response to the at least one sensor reading a first predetermined distance:
• instruct the first tool to perform one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations.

A smart trim die assembly comprising:

• a first die and a second die moveable relative to the first die between an open position and a closed position during a stroke, and a cavity formed between the first die and the second die in the closed position for casting a part;
• at least one sensor for measuring a distance between the first die and the second die;
• a first tool integrated into the first die or the second die for performing one of piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations, wherein the first tool includes a tapping assembly for providing threaded apertures to certain regions of the part;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory device for receiving measurements from the at least one sensor, the memory device further containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in response to the at least one sensor reading a first predetermined distance:
• instruct the first tool to perform one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations.

A smart trim die assembly comprising:

• a first die and a second die moveable relative to the first die between an open position and a closed position during a stroke, and a cavity formed between the first die and the second die in the closed position for casting a part;
• at least one sensor for measuring a distance between the first die and the second die;
• a first tool integrated into the first die or the second die for performing one of piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations;
• a second tool and a second sensor for measuring a second predetermined distance that is different than the first predetermined distance, wherein in response to the second sensor reading the second predetermined distance the processor instructs the second tool to perform one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations that is different than the first tool
• a processor;
• and
• a memory device for receiving measurements from the at least one sensor, the memory device further containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in response to the at least one sensor reading a first predetermined distance:
• instruct the first tool to perform one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operations.

A smart trim die assembly comprising:

• a first die and a second die moveable relative to the first die between an open position and a closed position during a stroke, and a cavity formed between the first die and the second die in the closed position for casting a part;
• an upper trim plate for trimming a boundary around the part when the first die and the second die are moved into close proximity;
• at least one sensor;
• a first tool for performing at least one of a piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operation;
• and
• a memory device for receiving measurements from the at least one sensor and causing the first tool to perform at least one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operation.

A smart trim die assembly comprising:

• a first die and a second die moveable relative to the first die between an open position and a closed position during a stroke, and a cavity formed between the first die and the second die in the closed position for casting a part;
• a runner cutter for trimming runners around the part when the first die and the second die are moved into close proximity;
• at least one sensor;
• a first tool for performing at least one of a piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operation;
• and
• a memory device for receiving measurements from the at least one sensor and causing the first tool to perform at least one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operation.

A smart trim die assembly comprising:

• a first die and a second die moveable relative to the first die between an open position and a closed position during a stroke, and a cavity formed between the first die and the second die in the closed position for casting a part;
• at least one sensor;
• a first tool for performing at least one of a piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operation, wherein the first tool includes a lower pierce assembly for piercing certain regions of the part;
• and
• a memory device for receiving measurements from the at least one sensor and causing the first tool to perform at least one of the piercing, holding, punching, dimpling, and tapping operation.