I need some help trying to determine what would be the right depth for my first attempt on a die.

In my first trial I gave it a 2mm depth to the pattern, but it took me forever to make it (several days).

In my second attempt I reduced the same pattern to 1/2 mm depth, but it hardly made a dent on the stamped material. This second die took me 6 hours to make.

The pattern is half spheres.

What depth would be sort of close to a mean average in the industry for trial purposes? I do not want to spend several hours and wasting more material and machine time. Thanks.

What kind of a die is it? Are you stamping or forming or both?

We need a little more description if you want a little help.

Thanks for the reply.

I am trying to make a stamping die. The figure I am trying to stamp is a basketball and the pattern I mentioned is the little half spheres from the ball.

The stamped material is an EPS foam 5 mm in thickness.

I have a attached a picture of the press I am using (the small one). It is a roller press.

Even though I regulate the pressure of the roller to the point I cannot insert the material + the die, I am still not getting a clear impression.

This is the reason of my question, how deep should I go in my die for a decent clear print ?

Thanks again

wow kinda a cool application you have going on there, unfortunately I cant help you my experience is with alloys and large punch presses.

What depth do you give you allows though?