Additive Manufacturing of a Cutting Punch - Qualification of PBF-LB/M for Processing Tool Steel H13 (1.2344) and Results of 40,000-Stroke Test

Abstract

Additive manufacturing processes have demonstrated the potential to produce highly stressed components in numerous industries [1, 2]. However, its use as a cutting punch for shear cutting processes has not been investigated to date.

This paper describes the qualification of Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion of Metals (PBF-LB/M) for the processing of the tool steel H13 (1.2344). Based on this, the additive manufacturing of a cutting punch for application on a punch press is described, as well as its testing with up to 38,088 strokes in deep-drawing steel (DX56D, 1.0322) and higher-strength dual-phase steel (DP600, 1.0936). The evaluation of the wear test showed that the radius of the sharp cutting edge increased by 11.5 µm.

In summary, it can be stated that the additively manufactured cutting punch meets the requirements comparable to conventionally manufactured ones. However, further tests with regard to durability are still needed for a final assessment and shall be addressed in future work.