When your production depends on precise part identification for high-voltage electrical connectors, subpar marking dies aren't just an inconvenience—they're a production liability. Metal Forming Industries learned this firsthand when dealing with poor-quality roll dies that created inconsistent marks and threatened their traceability standards.
Casey McVay and his team at Metal Forming Industries in Russellville, IN needed a reliable solution for marking copper electric connectors used in high-voltage applications. Their existing dies were creating problems that went beyond simple aesthetics. Poor finishing, inconsistent depth, and unclear impressions were compromising the part identification process, which is critical for electrical safety and traceability.
Metal Forming Industries faced a common but costly problem in precision manufacturing. Their previous roll marking dies arrived unfinished and poorly cleaned, creating marks that were difficult to read and inconsistent across production runs. For copper crimp connectors in high-voltage applications, clear part identification isn't optional—it's essential for safety compliance and quality control.
The company needed roll marking dies capable of handling 30+ characters for comprehensive part identification and traceability. The marking solution also required an interchangeable character capability so they could update date codes and other variable information without replacing entire dies.
When Casey first spoke to Clem Malinowski at Durable Technologies, the difference became apparent immediately. "Durable took on this project once I told Clem what we needed, and they owned it," McVay explains. "You could tell they knew what they were doing and had a lot of experience from the questions he asked."
Durable's engineering team didn't just take the order—they analyzed the specific requirements of marking copper materials, understood the precision needed for high-voltage connector applications, and designed a complete solution around Metal Forming Industries' custom roll marking machine.
The resulting roll dies featured precision-machined characters designed specifically for copper marking, proper finishing that ensured clean impressions, and a removable type configuration that allowed for flexible date coding and variable information updates.
The impact was immediate and measurable. "The roll marking dies are working flawlessly. Thank you for your help!" McVay reports. The new dies delivered the consistent, clear marks that Metal Forming Industries needed for their high-voltage connector applications.
The quality difference between Durable's dies and the previous supplier was striking. "The roll dies were perfect and very high quality, not like other dies we have seen that did not come in finished and cleaned up and they made poor marks," McVay notes. "Durable really knows their stuff."
The removable type feature proved invaluable for production flexibility, allowing the team to update date codes and tracking information without production delays or die replacement costs.
This case demonstrates why Durable Technologies has become the go-to partner for manufacturers facing complex marking challenges. Our roll dies are manufactured from high-quality steel and precision-machined to deliver consistent impressions across thousands of production cycles. Whether used in high-volume environments or specialized applications like Metal Forming Industries' high-voltage connectors, our dies maintain their precision and produce clear, readable marks.
Our custom die capabilities extend beyond standard configurations. We work with customers to understand their specific material requirements, production constraints, and quality standards, then engineer dies that deliver optimal performance for their unique applications. From removable type systems to specialized character configurations, our engineering team has the experience to solve marking challenges that other suppliers can't handle.
When production quality depends on marking precision, the difference between adequate and exceptional becomes clear in every impression. Metal Forming Industries found that difference with Durable Technologies—and their flawless roll marking operation proves it every day.