Tool tang

Tool types

WILA New Standard is a worldwide standard for the clamping of tools. This also goes for European Style (Promecam). American Style is found on the American market. In addition, there is a variety of manufacturer-specific tool types, which we will not cover in detail here.

The tool type can be identified by the shape and dimensions of the tool tang. The tool tang is the part of the tool that is clamped in the clamping system. There are also functional differences between tool types such as automatic alignment, stability, top tool reversibility and the ability to change tools quickly and safely.

WILA New Standard

The WILA New Standard tool system is designed so that tools are accurately positioned and aligned automatically. And not just the top tool. With our V-Lock technology, this also applies to WILA bottom tools. WILA dies with a V-opening smaller than 60mm come standard with V-Lock.

The tang of New Standard top tools has a width of 20mm. This gives more stability than other tool types. New Standard bottom tools have a width of 13mm. Also note the centerline location. With WILA, the tang is exactly in the center of the centerline, so it can also be clamped in reverse.

WILA American Style

The tang of American Style top tools has a width of 12.7mm. American Style top tools can be combined with WILA American Style or New Standard bottom tools with a width of 13mm. Note that traditional non-WILA American Style bottom tools are 12.7mm wide.

Head or shoulder load bearing

WILA tools have high load capacity and stability. WILA New Standard punches up to and including 200mm tall are head load bearing. This means that the tool is loaded on the head of the holder and you have maximum bending freedom. Are you ordering a custom tool that is taller than 200mm? Then that tool automatically becomes shoulder load bearing.

Due to the smaller American Style tang, WILA American Style punches are always shoulder load bearing. As a result, these tools still have a good load capacity and stability. This does have the disadvantage that the American Style tool type offers somewhat less bending freedom.

WILA bottom tools with a 13mm wide tang are always shoulder load bearing.

More on the load capacity of tools.

The world upside-down

In most press brakes, the punch moves downwards into the stationary die during bending. In automated bending setups, a reverse situation is also chosen. In this case, the die moves downwards over the stationary punch. This can offer a number of advantages:

First, the sheet bends around a fixed point in space: the tip of the punch. This is because the stamp does not move. Second, the bent sheet tilts downward instead of upward. This allows for easier sheet handling and more freedom of movement for the robot.

For this situation, WILA dies can be equipped with the same 20mm wide New Standard tang type as for the dies. The press brake is then equipped with both a top and bottom Tool Holder that can clamp 20mm wide tool tangs.

European Style (Promecam)

The European Style tooling system can be identified by the typical spacers with clamping plates between the top tool and the upper beam (or ram). European Style bottom tools use a die holder or 60mm wide tools. With European Style, there are more contact surfaces between the various parts and thus a greater tolerance build-up than with New Standard or American Style. European Style tool mounts are not symmetrical and standard not reversible.

WILA does not offer European Style tooling, but does offer adapters and retrofit options.

Overview of WILA tool tang types

The overview below shows the different WILA tool tangs and their dimensions.

Adapters

Would you like to use European Style top tools in a WILA New Standard or American Style clamping? Then you can use tool adapters.

Retrofit

Do you want to start using New Standard or American Style tools in an existing press brake? Then retrofitting the press brake with a WILA tooling system may be an option for you.

Advice

The tool system that is used in the press brake determines the type of tool that can be used. You can recognize the type by the shape of the tang. Is it New Standard or American Style? Then you have come to the right place.

Are you looking for a way to use WILA New Standard or American Style tools in an existing press brake? Then contact one of our experts. Together with you they will explore the possibilities of increasing the productivity of this press brake.