When metals are plastically strained, heat is generated. Depending on tool configuration and strain rate, heat generation and intensity will vary. In conventional cropping, blanking and forming (low tool speed), heat is conducted away at about the same rate as it is generated. As a result, the metal will strainharden at the same rate it is plastically deformed, thereby producing a blank which will be distorted, and/or workhardened, and provide angular variations, crack formations, burrs and a loss of material.

Fracture or forming time can be reduced by increasing the strain rate (high tool speed) and limiting tool engagement. When the metal no longer can conduct heat away at the rate it is generated, there will be a temperature increase in the plastically strained zone. The metal softens and for most metals there will be a temperature increase which will result in local melting (maximum softening) and will completely eliminate strainhardening. This phenomenon is Adiabatic Softening.

LMC has successfully developed this technology and has patented this process and tooling. The LMC Adiabatic Press System will dramatically increase quality consistency, increase production speeds, allow for the reduction of floor space and allow for reduced maintenance. The Presses are designed to maximize energy levels, production rates and flexibility. The mechanical system meets all the conditions for Adiabatic Softening in most metals to include low and high carbon steels, stainless, brass, copper, titanium aluminum and more. Regardless of the metal, the process works the same. This technology will eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional methods in the production of metal blanks.

The LMC presses provide cut-off blanks produced automatically from either coil, bar stock or tubing with cut-off or fracture times less than a millisecond. This results in a fracture zone only a few thousandths of an inch wide, producing blanks ready for forming or machining. Length variations of less than +/- .001" will be maintained regardless of overall length. Manufactures have eliminated post production inspection. CPK results can be expected to significantly improve. The process also allows for the elimination of secondary machining such as end grinding. Unique to this technology is that there is theoretically no limit to the size of metal rod that can be cut.

Today, LMC is offering this technology to manufacturers throughout the world in two ways: (1) Press Systems -- a turnkey system for impact cutting, including secondary equipment such as barfeeders, straighteners, coilhandling and pointers, and (2) a Cut Off Service -- LMC will use their production facilities and provide manufacturers with blanks of any shape from standard bar stock, coil, extrusions, tubing, etc. to their specifications.

The Company has been providing the LMC Adiabatic Process Manufacturing Technology to manufacturers throughout the world since 1980 from its manufacturing facility west of Chicago.