85 Series D Station RE8X50 Rectangular Parting Die

The 85 Series D Station RE8X50 Rectangular Parting Die is a precision lower tool developed for sheet metal parting, edge trimming and perimeter-cutting applications.

In the designation “RE8X50,” “RE” identifies the rectangular profile, while “8X50” represents the nominal 8 × 50 mm matching punch profile. The die is used together with a corresponding D Station parting punch to make a sequence of overlapping cuts along the programmed edges of a sheet metal component.

This type of tooling is commonly used to trim the four sides of a part, separate finished components from the surrounding sheet or produce a blank with the required external dimensions. Compared with a standard rectangular tool used primarily to produce isolated holes, the RE8X50 parting tool is optimized for repeated cutting along straight edges and programmed perimeter paths.

This product is the lower die only. The matching upper punch and punch assembly are available separately. The actual die opening is larger than the nominal punch profile and is manufactured with a cutting clearance selected according to the customer’s sheet material, thickness, tensile strength and required edge quality.

The die is manufactured from DC53 tool steel and heat-treated to HRC 58–60. DC53 provides high compressive strength, dimensional stability and resistance to edge wear, making it suitable for repeated parting operations in which the die may experience uneven loads during overlapping cuts.

WYS Machinery can customize the die opening, cutting clearance, die land, relief geometry and slug-control features according to the customer’s material, machine model, nesting program and production requirements.

Key Features

• 85 Series thick turret tooling configuration
• D Station rectangular lower die
• RE8X50 parting profile
• Designed for use with an 8 × 50 mm matching punch
• Suitable for sheet edge trimming and perimeter cutting
• Commonly used to trim all four sides of sheet metal parts
• Supports part separation and blank sizing
• DC53 tool steel construction
• Working hardness of HRC 58–60
• Precision-ground cutting edges
• Customized cutting clearance
• Designed for repeated overlapping cutting operations
• Custom die land and relief geometry
• Optional slug-control features
• Matching punch and complete assembly available separately
• Free tooling design support based on customer drawings

Technical Specifications

Parting Die vs. Standard Rectangular Die

Although both tools have rectangular openings, their operating conditions and optimization priorities are different.

Typical Parting Process

The RE8X50 parting die works with a matching upper punch to progressively cut along a programmed path.

A typical process includes:

• Positioning the sheet according to the cutting program
• Making the initial edge cut
• Moving the sheet by a controlled feed distance
• Applying a suitable overlap between adjacent hits
• Continuing along the programmed straight edge
• Repeating the process on the remaining sides
• Separating the finished part or trimmed scrap

The tool can be used to trim the four edges of a rectangular panel or separate individual components from a nested sheet layout.

Correct overlap is important. Too little overlap can leave uncut material or visible tabs, while excessive overlap may increase side loading, tool wear and cycle time.

Customized Die Clearance

The actual RE8X50 die opening is manufactured according to the matching punch dimensions and the selected cutting clearance.

Die clearance can be customized for:

• Mild steel
• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Galvanized steel
• Copper
• Different material thicknesses
• Specific burr requirements
• Different punching and parting conditions

Correct clearance helps:

• Reduce punching force
• Control burr height
• Improve material fracture
• Support reliable slug discharge
• Reduce stripping resistance
• Minimize edge deformation
• Reduce premature die wear
• Improve cut-edge consistency
• Extend the service life of the punch and die

Side Loading During Parting

Parting differs from ordinary full-profile punching because consecutive cuts overlap. During an overlapping hit, part of the punch may enter previously removed material while the remaining cutting edge engages the sheet.

This uneven material resistance can create side loading and cause the punch to move toward the open side.

Side loading can be controlled through:

• Correct punch and die alignment
• Suitable cutting clearance
• Appropriate hit overlap
• Stable guide support
• Correct stripper pressure
• Proper feed direction
• Adequate lubrication
• Suitable punch-tip geometry
• Accurate machine programming

Excessive side loading can cause uneven wear, edge chipping, sheet distortion or damage to the punch guide and die.

Punching Force and Machine Verification

The required punching force depends on:

• Effective cutting length during each hit
• Sheet thickness
• Material shear strength
• Punch-to-die clearance
• Punch-tip geometry
• Amount of overlap
• Machine condition
• Lubrication

Because the engaged cutting length may change during parting, machine tonnage and tooling configuration should be evaluated using the customer’s actual material, thickness and cutting program.

A suitable shear-tip design on the matching punch may reduce peak punching force and noise. The geometry should be selected according to the application and required cut quality.

Typical Hits Before Regrinding

These figures are general reference values rather than guaranteed limits. Parting operations may produce different wear patterns from ordinary rectangular-hole punching because of repeated overlap and side loading.

Actual regrinding intervals depend on:

• Sheet material
• Material thickness
• Cutting clearance
• Programmed overlap
• Feed direction
• Machine alignment
• Lubrication
• Punch-tip geometry
• Die-edge condition
• Maintenance practices

The die should be reground before excessive edge rounding, chipping or burr growth develops.

Typical Tool Service Life

Actual service life may vary because parting applications place different loads on the tooling during full and partially overlapping hits.

Optional TiN and TiCN Coatings

TiN Coating

TiN provides a hard, low-friction surface that can help reduce adhesive wear and improve the durability of suitable working surfaces.

TiCN Coating

TiCN offers higher hardness and enhanced resistance to abrasive and adhesive wear. It may be considered for stainless steel, higher-strength materials and demanding production volumes.

Coating suitability should be confirmed according to the die material, sheet material, thickness and parting conditions.

Typical Applications

The RE8X50 D Station parting die is suitable for:

• Trimming the four edges of sheet metal panels
• Cutting parts to their required external dimensions
• Separating finished parts from surrounding sheet
• Cutting cabinet and enclosure panels
• Producing machine covers and protective panels
• Trimming switchgear and electrical cabinet components
• Processing HVAC and ventilation panels
• Separating appliance sheet metal components
• Cutting metal furniture panels
• Producing automotive sheet metal blanks
• General CNC turret punch parting operations

Typical industries include:

• Electrical equipment
• Sheet metal enclosures
• Machinery manufacturing
• HVAC production
• Appliance manufacturing
• Automotive components
• Metal furniture
• General precision sheet metal fabrication

Manufacturing Quality

The RE8X50 die is manufactured using DC53 tool steel, controlled heat treatment and precision grinding.

Quality control focuses on:

• Accuracy of the rectangular opening
• Parallelism of the long cutting edges
• Accuracy of the short ends
• Cutting-edge sharpness
• Cutting-clearance consistency
• Die-surface flatness
• Die land and relief geometry
• Locating-feature accuracy
• Working hardness
• Alignment with the matching punch

Accurate manufacturing helps maintain consistent cutting performance during repeated edge-trimming operations while reducing uneven wear and localized loading.

Tool Maintenance and Regrinding

Regular inspection should include:

• Cutting-edge rounding
• Uneven wear along the long edges
• Chipping at the short ends
• Increased part burrs
• Slug accumulation
• Damage caused by side loading
• Die-surface damage
• Alignment with the matching punch

Timely light regrinding helps preserve the usable die height and maintain consistent cut quality.

After regrinding, die height, cutting clearance and alignment with the matching punch should be checked before production resumes.

Standard and Custom Parting Tooling

WYS Machinery supplies individual parting punches, replacement dies and complete thick turret parting-tool assemblies.

Available customization options include:

• Custom parting lengths and widths
• Material-specific die clearance
• Custom die land and relief
• Flat or sheared matching punches
• TiN and TiCN coatings
• Slug-control geometry
• Replacement punches
• Replacement dies
• Complete punch assemblies
• Complete punch-and-die sets
• Tooling designed from customer nesting layouts
• OEM and private-label manufacturing

Customers can provide their machine model, tooling series, station size, sheet material, thickness, required finished dimensions and cutting layout. Our engineering team can recommend the appropriate punch geometry, die clearance, overlap and tooling configuration.