Innovation of the production process of coin dies to increase their service life

Abstract

The article deals with the problem related to the service life of the coin dies. The faultless condition of tools during the long-time process of the production of the coins is a basement for their quality. It is influenced by several aspects. The most important factors can be considered the material of the coin die - especially its purity, relief production technology, heat treatment - especially the correct observance to procedures and the choice of equipment, achieved mechanical properties, method of final relief treatment - e.g., coating and the existence of residual stresses in the tool. The aim of the present research was to examine the cause of the failure and damage of the coin dies after production of a small number of coins and, accordingly, to make changes in the production process to prolong their service life. By monitoring the individual steps of the production process, it was possible to identify specific causes of premature decommissioning of coin dies. Innovations have been made at each step of the production process to extend the life of the coin. The paper presents the modifications in the heat treatment of the coin dies as one of the basic improvements in their no-failure long time operation. This, together with other identified shortcomings in the tool manufacturing process, has contributed to an increase in the number of coins minted from around 6,000 to 740,000 coins.