Local Adjustment of Surface Integrity of Forming Tools by Adaptation of Tool Making Process

Within sheet-bulk metal forming manufacturing of functional elements, like e.g. gears, causes distinctive tool stresses. Since highest stresses occur at the surface of active tool components, the tool surface has major influence on the tool performance. Within the present study, the influence of a local surface treatment on the surface integrity of an AISI M3:2 PM tool steel was investigated. In this regard, a laser heat treatment was implemented in a conventional process chain consisting of WEDM and post machining by blasting and shot peening. Due to an enhancement of ductility of the surface region, higher compressive residual stresses can be achieved for the adapted process chains after the final peening step.