THE GO-TO PARTNER FOR ALL THINGS STAMPING
DAYTON LAMINA CORPORATION MANUFACTURING
2 | North America Outlook Issue 21
S TA M P O F A P P R OVA L Dayton Lamina Corporation continues to be the go-to partner for all things stamping, with its combination of a rich legacy and a pioneering, forward-thinking spirit ensuring it stays ahead of the chasing pack. We find out more with Rick Hern, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Callam Waller
S
ometimes the most traditional ways of doing things are the best. When it comes to stamping, the saying ‘to stand the test of time’ certainly resonates – a manufacturing process that has been around for well over a century, with origins dating back even further depending on your interpretation of history. It remains highly relevant today in large part due to its simplicity. In short, it is a process used to convert flat or coiled metal sheets into various shapes using forming techniques and tools such as preset dies. However, like many manufacturing techniques and industrial processes, new ways of doing things will inevitably emerge to challenge orthodoxy, no matter how long an incumbent has been dominant. Rick Hern is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Dayton Lamina Corporation (Dayton Lamina), a US-born company that has deep roots in the stamping trade. Asked for his take on the sector
Rick Hern
dynamics at present, he refers to the need to keep pace with the rate of change that has emerged from competing parties challenging the status quo. “It can be difficult due to the numerous ways that stamping is being challenged from the likes of laser, waterjet, 3D printing, and casting,” he says.
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DAYTON LAMINA CORPORATION MANUFACTURING
“I also think that we don’t put enough effort, as an industry, into developing new methods, faster processes and cycle times, along with product development. These areas, in addition to marketing and training materials, are serious needs.” Hern knows what he is talking
A GLOBAL PRESENCE Dayton Lamina operates a network of manufacturing and engineering facilities throughout various regions of the world. Specifically, the organization operates production facilities in the following countries: • US • Canada • China • Czech Republic • France
about. His entire career has been spent in the world of cutting tools and computer numerical control (CNC), a manufacturing method that automates the control, movement, and precision of machine tools through the use of pre-programmed, embedded software. And while he acknowledges that there are challenges ahead, there is equal cause for optimism and excitement. “For me, this part of manufacturing, stamping, is the opportunity to take a century-old application and make it cool again,” Hern adds. “Like CNC, there are so many things that get bent, stamped, pressed, folded… it would be amazing if the everyday consumer understood the impact of the stamping business and Dayton Lamina’s impact.” This, ultimately, is part of Hern’s mission – to get the message out there about just how impactful stamping is and continues to be on many aspects of business, and people’s lives.
• Germany • Japan • Mexico • Portugal • Spain • UK The products made at these sites are sold through more than 500 distributor representatives. Dayton Lamina maintains close-knit relations with all of its distributor partners, offering them the technical support they need to provide the added value their customers have come to expect. Meanwhile, in Asia, the firm has partnerships with licensees that both sell and manufacture its products.
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As for Dayton Lamina, there is no better organization through which that mission can be undertaken. Its origins date back to the early 20th century, with the current enterprise coming into being in 2012 when Japanese firm Misumi entered the North American market and acquired several brands. Now, it is a
truly global entity with presence all around the world.
STANDING OUT AND STAYING IN FRONT A key reason Dayton Lamina stands proud as a leader in the field is due to its ability to serve as a onestop supplier shop to many of its
Dayton Lamina brand video
customers across various industries. The firm has a diverse customer base spanning many applications and industries – these include automotive, beverage can tooling, appliances, mandrels, nuclear fuels tooling, compaction tooling, performance racing components, ammunition, die components, and
electronics, among others. “We offer the largest, most complete assortment from a single supplier,” Hern adds. “Our capabilities to manufacture and source die components, catalog, configured and special punch tooling, as well as high precision steel of any shape, tolerance, and finish, is what sets us
apart. “For decades we have set the standard of the industry in our quick deliveries, outstanding quality, and technical expertise. This is why most automakers and other stamping companies refer to Dayton Lamina products as the trusted, specified tooling to use.” North America Outlook Issue 21 | 5
T O O L S F O R T H E S TA M P I N G I N D U S T RY S I N C E 1980
Steel Die Components:
Nitrogen Gas Springs:
Dayton Progress
Kaller
Carbide Die Components:
Spring Plungers:
Hyson
American Carbide Tooling
Vlier
Die Sets:
Feeds & Coil Handling:
Anchor Danly
PA Industries
Guide Components & Die Supplies: Danly IEM
Lamina
Drill Bushings: Steel & Carbide Lempco
Royal
Boneham Metal Products
Phone: 1-800-972-4040 | Fax: 203-878-9085 Harmac@live.com | www.harmacllc.com
Endurance Carbide
Supporting your production requirements Har/Mac & Dayton Lamina bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and skills to each and every job. We can deliver the precision die details, the tightest tolerances, the right configurations, and the quick turnaround you need to manufacture the best quality, most cost-effective end products.
Danly IEM:
Dayton Progress:
Lamina:
Lempco:
• • • • • •
• Punches, Die Buttons, & Retainers (Inch & Metric) • Die Springs • FDS® (Firm Delivery Schedule) • DAYSet® Compound Tooling Solution • Posi-Strip™ Self-contained punch stripping system • DAYStrip® Punch stripping system for flat or shaped surface • DAYLube™ NanoCeramic Lubricating Grease • Urethane Products • EVERLAST® • In-house Metallurgical Lab
• • • • • • • • • •
• Accu-BendTM Rotary Benders • Guide Posts & Bushings • Springs
Accu-BendTM Rotary Benders Cams Diemakers’ Supplies Guide Posts & Bushings In-Die Tapping Springs
• Wear Product
Cams Die Accessories Guide Posts & Bushings Hydraulics In-Die Tapping Lamina-Bronze Components Mold Components Springs Wear Product Posi-BendTM Rotary Benders
Phone: 1-800-972-4040 | Fax: 203-878-9085 | Harmac@live.com | www.harmacllc.com
HAR/MAC LLC Proudly representing the highest quality, worldclass name-brand suppliers, Har/Mac LLC has 50+ years of experience providing products to the metal stamping and forming industries. Integrity, reliability, and resourcefulness are central to Har/Mac LLC’s success, and the team’s knowledge remains unmatched. As a viable and responsible supplier to manufacturers ranging from small to large, Har/ Mac LLC is here to assist with looking for those hard-to-find items, streamlining your company’s supply base, or help to improve tool life. Stamping tools vary due to the complexitiy of the part being produced, but Har/Mac LLC has a wide range of products that are the backbone of metal forming industries. Therefore, whatever your metal stamping needs are, Har/Mac LLC has you covered.
OTHER OFFERINGS Brand and product catalogs are available as PDFs to download or print on the Har/Mac LLC website. Alongside catalog standards, the custom machining of individual details is also offered, delivering precision tooling, the tightest tolerances, the right configurations, and the quick turnaround you need to manufacture the best quality and most cost-effective end products, which includes die sections, blade style punches, retainers, and swedging mandrels. Technical resources of downloadable guides include Dayton’s Engineered Clearance, Tool Steels, Problem Solving Guide, Form Shapes, High-Performance Treatment & Coatings, with a technical assistance request form also available.
BRANDS CARRIED BY HAR/MAC LLC • DaytonProgress® – Steel punches and dies, specials to print, die springs, urethane • ACT™ (American Carbide Tooling) – Carbide components, both standard and special to print • Anchor Danly™ – Die sets • Lamina® – Guide components (die and mold), wear products, springs/urethane, hydraulic equipment • Danly® IEM® – Guide components, springs/ urethane, die accessories, in-die tapping • Lempco® – Guide components • Kaller® – Nitrogen gas springs • Misumi – Metric die components • Endurance Carbide – Drill brushings (carbide) • BMP (Boneham Metal Products) - Drill brushings (steel) • Vlier® – Spring plungers • PA Industries – Feeds, scrap choppers, coil handling equipment • Dieco® – Springs, die accessories, die sets, guide components • Hyson – Nitrogen gas springs
Phone: 1-800-972-4040 | Fax: 203-878-9085 | Harmac@live.com | www.harmacllc.com
Die Sets
Both catalog and custom machined to print. MACHINED AND CUT & GROUND PLATE • Steel plate in 0.25” to 15” thicknesses (grades include hot rolled typeA36/44W/50W mild steel and 1045 & 4140 specialty steel) • Flame cutting and plasma cutting • In-house stress relieving, heat treating and shot blasting • Blanchard grinding 144” diameters • CNC machining up to 138” x 320” • High-quality Adapter & Boster plates - Quick Die Change (QDC) plate is also available
Proudly Representing Anchor Danly Since, 1980
Contact us for more information: Phone: 1-800-972-4040 Fax: 203-878-9085 Harmac@live.com www.harmacllc.com
Har/Mac “Di-Ton” Style Spring Retainers for High Production Dies • • • • • •
Offered in Hex & Round Style Fast removal of Stripper Plate Less Possibility of Damage to Punches & Perforators Quick Access to Punch Holders Easy Retro-fitting to Existing Tools Easy to adjust Pre-load on Springs
Contact Har/Mac for Pricing and Availability 1-800-972-4040 Harmac@Live.com
DAYTON LAMINA CORPORATION MANUFACTURING
Put simply, the company can be trusted for quality and service, a combination that sees customers coming back time after time, even those that may venture further afield seeking a cheaper alternative. “As with many other industries and applications in B2B and B2C, customers are always looking to save a penny and find other low-cost countries or knock-off products,” Hern continues. “But they often end up coming back to Dayton Lamina because those companies stop production, cause time delays, and are inconsistent.” A culture of continuous improvement and refinement has also been key. As Dayton Lamina has grown and added new machines and processes to produce a larger variety of parts, the operating environment naturally becomes more complex. Recognizing this, the company has rejigged its state-of-the-art site in Michigan to ensure an optimized 10 | North America Outlook Issue 21
“ F O R M E , T H I S PA R T O F M A N U FA C T U R I N G , S TA M P I N G , I S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y T O TA K E A C E N T U R YO L D A P P L I C AT I O N A N D M A K E I T C O O L AG A I N ” – RICK HERN, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING, D AY T O N L A M I N A C O R P O R AT I O N
production flow. “In some cases, we were seeing a part traveling a mile by the time it was complete,” Hern says. “Now, we’ll be able to cut that to 20 percent of what it was.”
MOVING WITH THE TIMES Continuous improvement also means investing in technology to augment the vast depth of human experience and knowhow contained within the organization. “For decades, we have relied upon operator skill to hold tight tolerances running multiple machines at once
and CNC tooling with manual load and unload – this is mostly due to keeping costs down, and the fact that the manufacturing processes is proven, and operators know the parts,” adds Hern. “In today’s environment we are addressing ever changing needs to be more cost effective, use less manpower, and operate overnight and at weekends unmanned. Automation also enables us to run several parts with little to no setup changes, and reduce lead times, costs, and human intervention.”
ONE COMPANY, FOUR LEADING BRANDS With roots dating back well over a century, Dayton Lamina has developed into a worldwide and renowned specialist in the production of catalog and special punches, die components, die details, punch blanks, metal stamping tools, and more. The organization trades through four brands, each with their own niche and unique offering to customers around the world: LEMPCO – Established in 1917, Lempco is the oldest of the four brands under the Dayton Lamina umbrella. Its die set guiding components are manufactured at state-of-the-art facilities in Michigan and Wisconsin, providing customers with the highest precision level available in the metal stamping industry. DANLY IEM – In operation for more than 100 years, Danly IEM produces components and innovation-enabling tools which are used in the stamping, molding, and machine building industries. Key product lines include DieMax springs, die accessories, formathane urethane, and IDT in-die tapping. LAMINA – A highly specialist producer of die components, Lamina also produces is products out of the enterprise’s facilities in Michigan and Wisconsin. Products include rotary benders, ball-bearing solutions, guided retainers, hydraulics, cams, and springs. DAYTON PROGRESS – Known for its high quality and competitively priced punches, die buttons, retainers, and other tooling products, metal fabricators have been relying on Dayton Progress since the end of the Second World War. Today, it operates multiple manufacturing and engineering facilities in North America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim.
Such investments are being made at several sites. In Bellaire, new robotic part changers are being installed. At Dayton, new CNC grinders are about to come online. Meanwhile, the Beaver Dam facility is about to benefit from the introduction of a new spring manufacturing machine.
Coming back to Hern’s remit as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, a key recent priority has involved Dayton Lamina’s brand refresh – another sign that the organization continues to move with the times. That said, the tried and tested product range is not being touched.
Rather, the rebrand is designed to bring cohesiveness to the portfolio as a whole, the ultimate aim being for Dayton Lamina to have its own identity as the complete solution provider and technical leader. A smarter, more intuitive website is central to this endeavor. “We’re adding more info, more access, and more tools,” Hern says. “This new system connects directly to our manufacturing capabilities as well as our ERP system to show specific customer orders, history, pricing, and inventory levels. “It will enable our customers and distributors to manage their orders, search for products and 3D CAD drawings which we’re introducing. Historically, we’ve had a limited amount of products with CAD drawings, so this will be a big and positive change.” This feeds into Hern’s key goal for the year ahead, which is to make the ordering process as seamless as possible for Dayton Lamina customers. It is a transition which will also require training and development with internal teams, as well as continued investment in technology behind the scenes – all crucial steps in the journey ahead.
DAYTON LAMINA CORPORATION (800) 652-6462 www.daytonlamina.com North America Outlook Issue 21 | 11
DAYTON LAMINA CORPORATION USA Headquarters 500 Progress Road Dayton, OH 45449 (800) 652-6462 www.daytonlamina.com
PRODUCED BY NORTH AMERICA OUTLOOK MAGAZINE