| The process of bandoliering involves the use of a | | | | The most significant benefit of the bandoliering |
| delivery member (a "band", or "carrier") that conveys | | | | process is related to the fact that the stamped |
| components from one point to another. In the | | | | components all exit the die in an "ordered" |
| precision metal stamping arena, bandoliering has been | | | | configuration, ready for an assembly process (either |
| used extensively for manufacturing components such | | | | manual or automated) or for other secondary |
| as pins assembled into electronic connectors. | | | | operations while still on the band (carrier). Related to |
| Bandoliered components are formed by a special | | | | this benefit is the fact that this process also lends |
| type of precision metal stamping die (referred to as | | | | itself to other manufacturing operations that can be |
| a progressive bandolier die), which is operated in a | | | | performed inside the die (discussed later). |
| mechanical press (typically 60 ton, or greater). Raw | | | | Second, the types of applications for which |
| material in the form of wire (ferrous or nonferrous) is | | | | bandoliering may be employed are numerous. The |
| fed into the die to be formed (stamped) into the | | | | following are examples of various industries that |
| final desired component, and raw material in the form | | | | could employ this process: Medical devices (e.g., |
| of strip is introduced into the die to be formed into | | | | surgical components), Orthopedic components (e.g., |
| the bandolier to carry the final component. This article | | | | pins), Electronic connectors (e.g., connector pins), |
| expounds on the use of the bandoliering technique | | | | Military components, as well as many other industries |
| for manufacturing various types of precision metal | | | | applications. |
| components. Specifically, the following will be | | | | Lastly, a bandoliered process can provide for various |
| discussed: (1) the benefits of bandoliered | | | | manufacturing operations to be performed either |
| components, (2) examples of various applications | | | | inside the precision metal stamping die, or outside of |
| that can employ bandoliering, and (3) various | | | | the stamping die (while the components are still |
| manufacturing options that can be incorporated into | | | | located on the bandolier). Some examples of in-die |
| this process. | | | | operations that can be performed include: coining, |
| First, the benefits of producing a precision metal | | | | sharpening, machining, assembly, and welding. |
| component in a bandoliered configuration (mainly for | | | | Examples of secondary operations performed outside |
| high volume applications) are threefold: (a) reduced | | | | of the die (while the precision formed components |
| unit cost, (b) repeatable quality, and (c) in-line | | | | are still on the band) include: cleaning, coating, |
| post-processing. Unit cost can be reduced due to the | | | | heat-treating, and automated assembly. |
| fact that the stamping operation is performed in a | | | | High volume applications for stamped metal |
| progressive precision metal stamping die, and also | | | | components should be evaluated to see if a |
| because of the fact that the bandoliering process | | | | bandoliered application could be used, especially if the |
| allows for time-saving secondary operations (such as | | | | need is present for secondary operations such as |
| assembly), which reduce overall unit cost. Quality is | | | | assembly, or other operations as discussed above. |
| inherently repeatable in a progressive stamping die. | | | | |