Applications

Industrial Rubber Pads with Metal Backing
Rubber pads with steel, aluminum or stainless steel backplates are available in multiple durometers and materials for a wide variety of work holding, clamping, and part handling applications. Pads prevent part slip and protect parts and tooling with friction 50% to 400% higher than typical metal to part contact. Conforming to the part increases overall grip strength even more.
  • Online Store for Rubber Pads
  • Buna-N (NBR) Rubber Pads
  • Neoprene Rubber Pads
  • Silicone Rubber Pads
  • Vitron® - FKM Rubber Pads
  • Gripper Pads for Robots

Quick Die Change (QDC)
PFA's unique portable, hand operated mechanical die lifters, self-lifting spring loaded lifters, and pneumatic ball roller lifters, augment the best in class high force hydraulic clamping and lifting systems you have known for years.   QDC systems speed up production, keep presses running, and make die changes simple and efficient.  Proven systems that have excellent ROI and increase employee satisfaction are a win/win for everyone.  PFA will help you find the items to build a system at a price you can afford. Call today for quick recommendations on QDC that’s right for you.
DIE-LOK™ Multi-Slide Systems
DIE-LOK Multi-Slide Die Casting Components are specifically designed for ease of use and adjustment on Multi-slide Die Casting Applications. This modular solution provides excellent clamp force, high speed, fast die change, and long life. Consider this complete interface system for zero flash low porosity parts on all your multi-slide applications. Employed and evaluated as a custom solution on multiple installations for over15 years and perhaps more than 100 million cycles, this system is now also available from Techmire® on the new 44LCX or as a retrofit for all 44 machines.
DIE-LOK Side-Action systems are high temp versions of our KOR-LOK Side-Action systems used for conventional die casting and commonly used on high quality precision die casting molds on precision systems such as Frech® die casting machines. Contact PFA to discuss known applications and options to see if DIE-LOK (KOR-LOK) is right for you.


KOR-LOK® Side Action Systems
Preloading and Locking Core Pull Cylinders provide exceptional performance in Die Casting applications where zero core movement is desired to reduce flash and post flash operations.  Use of KOR-LOK® often allows injecting faster and harder to eliminate porosity and produce consistent part weights shot after shot.  Proper sizing can eliminate flashing of the part borders in most applications, making net shape die casting possible.  General usage of the product follows the general sizing methods for all applications, however, PFA provides some additional guidance for some die casting situations involving long cores and high speed injection.  For unique retrofits to Multi-Slide applications, please see our DIE-LOK Applications.
Modular End-of-Arm Automation (EOAT)
With some of the highest force to weight ratio Grippers, PFA really does GRIP IT! And that's not all - we have Compliance Devices and Flexible Wrist Overload Protection (OPD's) for a complete modular EOAT solution. Don't forget to check out our popular GRIPPER PADS with fused metal (steel and aluminum) backing for applications ranging from heavy industry to human interacting collaborative robots (Cobots)!
Self-Locking and Braking Cylinders
Self-Locking Cylinders function with common standard cylinder two port activation, but provide locking and holding forces up to 10 times more than a standard cylinder of the same bore size. Braking cylinders are less aggressive for holding force, but employ an internal to rod brake that allows holding loads at any location in the stroke.
SWITCHMAX® Connectivity Cables
More than simply cables, PFA's NEW SWITCHMAX® connectivity solution, originally designed to connect multiple side-action mold cylinder sensors in series for easy "plug and play" connections machine inputs, SWITCHMAX® now offers cross connected sensor verification, PNP and Relay sensor connections, relay power adaptors for AC and zero volt inputs, and much more. Systems are now often used without cylinders for customized sensing of mold actions and integrating rocker and plunger switches.
Hydra-Jaws Quick Mold Change (QMC)
PFA's Quick Mold Change plates and Quick Knock-Out systems can be used together or separately to provide rapid mold change capability with the confidence of hydraulic clamping force and true mechanical clamp holding.  The unique slot design supports changeover from top/bottom to right/left clamping or any combination desired.  Once clamped, mechanical locks hold the mold secure without hydraulic pressure.