The "Tubus-Spezial" hold-down dampers from ACE shock absorbers have replaced their predecessors in the automotive industry as hold-down dampers in sheet metal forming within just two years. The polyurethane damping disks used up to now could not do nearly as well as they did when it comes to reshaping sheet metal parts, damping the retaining elements of hold-down devices.

This success story is the result of a three-year development work that has always been closely aligned with the needs of each customer. After first carrying out endurance tests in the laboratory to determine the maximum possible load and testing in selected pressing tools as well as calculating the selection tables for the elements at well-known German car manufacturers, the company has the static and dynamic force-displacement curves as well as the energy absorption and -absorption on test stands in-house determined.

The first static and dynamic tests were promising as it was possible under static conditions, depending on the design, to achieve maximum energy absorption of the co-polyester elastomer hold-down dampers in areas between 5 and 269 Nm. and that at a maximum height of 29,4 mm, Under the dynamic conditions prevailing in practice, the results of the PU elements of the same size were almost doubled.

The test series was carried out on the so-called fall tester. This is equipped with a laser path measuring system. The measured values ​​are determined with a load cell below the device. In the further course, a corresponding selection matrix for the commissioning company could be created for each type. Using this matrix, the toolmaker can easily determine the size and number of dampers. Here, the speed and weight of the blank as well as the number of press strokes are taken into account. From the previous test series, further selection tables for different press stroke numbers from ≤ 17 up to 40 strokes / min were created and several damping elements connected in series (1-fold to 3-fold). Tubular special types D00002 to D00014 for holding screws with thread sizes M10 to M30 were relatively quickly available.