#060 Method of Using Standard Components (9) Stock Guide
The basic elements of a stock guide ("Material guide unit" in the Misumi standards) are shown in Fig. 1.
The width part of the guide is the part that keeps pressed the width of the material. This is determined considering the variations (tolerances) in the material width. Another factor is the horizontal bending (camber) of the material. This occurs due to the relationship with the length of the guide. The length of the guide should at least be equal to the width of the material, and if possible it should desirably be nearly twice the width of the material. The expected role of the guide, at the time of inserting the material inside the die for the first time, is to ensure that every time the material can be inserted in the die without clashing in the same state. Whether or not this condition is satisfied is determined by the guide width and the guide length.
The guide height varies depending on the content of press operation of the product. In other words, the amount of lift of the material during product forming determines the guide height. The guide height is determined to match with the amount of lift.
In the state of Fig. 1, it is very difficult for the material to enter the guide. As a countermeasure for this, a material guiding section is provided at the entrance to the guide as shown in Fig. 2.
The form shown in Fig. 2(a) is an extremely obvious shape of an escape. Although there is no problem when the material width and plate thickness are of an easy-to-handle size, if the material becomes wider or the plate becomes thicker, which is a state referred to commonly that the material is oversized, working becomes difficult with the shape of (a). If a step is provided in the guide as shown in Fig. 2(b), it is possible to place the material first on the bottom plate of the guide and then to insert it in the width of the guide, and hence the work becomes easier.
In Fig. 3, using a side pusher (called a "stock guide set" in the Misumi standards), the material is pushed to one side, thereby restricting the material from moving due to the variations within the tolerance of the material width.
This method is particularly effective in the case of continuous feed using a single sided carrier. If the material is pushed too strongly, it can obstruct the material feeding operation. In addition, it is also necessary to take measures to reduce the contact resistance of the receiving surface opposite to the side of the material facing the side pusher (such as making it point contact, etc.).
Although very often the stock guide is installed on the die set, the alignment straightness can sometimes be disturbed. By attaching the part for installing to the die with the shape shown in Fig. 3, it is possible to maintain the straightness easily.


- #167 Problems in Punching and their Countermeasures (6) Scrap Processing in Punching
- #166 Problems in Punching and their Countermeasures (5) Trimming of Drawn and Shaped Parts
- #165 Problems in Punching and their Countermeasures (4) Scrap Clogging in Punching
- #164 Problems in Punching and their Countermeasures (3) Bending and Twisting of Narrow Punched Parts
- #163 Problems in Punching and their Countermeasures (2) Bending due to Punching

