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Adjusting slide height after a tooling change is one of the most common setup tasks on a servo press. Done incorrectly, it causes tonnage overload, die damage, or part quality issues.
## Before You Start
- Confirm new die shut height from die drawing
- Check press stroke and BDC position
- Verify slide adjustment range (typically ?25-50mm from nominal)
## Step 1: Calculate Required Slide Position
```
Slide position = Press BDC - Die shut height - Bolster plate thickness
```
Example: Press BDC = 0mm, die shut height = 285mm, bolster = 100mm
Required slide position = 0 - 285 - 100 = -385mm (385mm above BDC)
## Step 2: Manual Slide Adjustment
1. Jog press to TDC (top dead center)
2. Engage slide adjustment mode on HMI (usually under Setup > Slide Adjust)
3. Enter target slide position or use +/- jog buttons
4. Adjustment speed: use slow mode (1mm increments) for final positioning
5. Lock slide adjustment when complete
## Step 3: Verify with Test Stroke
1. Install die in press (do not clamp yet)
2. Run one slow test stroke at 10% speed
3. Check die contact ??slide should contact die at BDC with 0.1-0.3mm clearance before clamping
4. If die contacts before BDC: raise slide (increase shut height)
5. If gap at BDC: lower slide (decrease shut height)
## Step 4: Tonnage Check
After clamping die:
1. Run 3-5 strokes at production speed
2. Monitor peak tonnage on press display
3. Acceptable range: 60-80% of press rated tonnage for normal production
4. Above 90%: check die alignment, lubrication, material thickness
## Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to account for bolster plate thickness
- Adjusting slide while press is at BDC (always adjust at TDC)
- Not re-checking after thermal expansion (first 30 min of production)