Wear component indicator

Abstract

In one embodiment, a wear component for use in a manufacturing process includes at least one operating surface for absorbing a force generated during the manufacturing process and at least one wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a varying depth. In another embodiment, a wear component includes at least one operating surface for absorbing a force generated during the manufacturing process, a first wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a first depth, and a second wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a second depth that is different from the first depth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wear component for use in a manufacturing process, comprising:
 at least one operating surface for absorbing a force generated during the manufacturing process; and   at least one wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a varying depth.   
     
     
         2 . The wear component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wear indicator groove has at least one sloped base surface defined by an angle relative to the operating surface. 
     
     
         3 . The wear component of  claim 2 , wherein the angle is between approximately 10 degrees and approximately 45 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The wear component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wear indicator groove includes at least a first end having a first depth and a second end having a second depth, wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth. 
     
     
         5 . The wear component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wear indicator groove includes first and second legs angularly displaced from each other and defining an apex. 
     
     
         6 . The wear component of  claim 5 , wherein the depth of the at least one indicator groove increases toward the apex. 
     
     
         7 . The wear component of  claim 5 , wherein the depth of the at least one indicator groove decreases toward the apex. 
     
     
         8 . The wear component of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second legs are angularly displaced from each other by approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The wear component of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bores for receiving a plurality of lubrication plugs. 
     
     
         10 . The wear component of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of lubrication plugs, wherein each lubrication plug is received by a respective bore of the plurality of bores. 
     
     
         11 . The wear component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one operating surface includes at least one of a bronze, a bronze-plated steel, a bronze alloy, or an aluminum-bronze alloy. 
     
     
         12 . A die arrangement comprising:
 a heel block; and   the wear component of  claim 1 , wherein the wear component is received by the heel block.   
     
     
         13 . A wear component for use in a manufacturing process, comprising:
 at least one operating surface for absorbing a force generated during the manufacturing process;   a first wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a first depth; and   a second wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a second depth that is different from the first depth.   
     
     
         14 . The wear component of  claim 13 , wherein the first wear indicator groove has a first length and the second wear indicator groove has a second length, and wherein the fire and second depths are constant along the respective lengths. 
     
     
         15 . The wear component of  claim 13 , further comprising a third wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having a third depth that is different from the first and second depths. 
     
     
         16 . The wear component of  claim 15 , wherein the first depth is approximately equal to one third of a maximum wear rating of the at least one operating surface, wherein the second depth is approximately equal to two-thirds of the maximum wear rating, and wherein the third depth is approximately equal to the maximum wear rating. 
     
     
         17 . The wear component of  claim 13 , further comprising a third wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having the first depth. 
     
     
         18 . The wear component of  claim 17 , further comprising a fourth wear indicator groove in the at least one operating surface and having the second depth. 
     
     
         19 . The wear component of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of bores for receiving a plurality of lubrication plugs. 
     
     
         20 . The wear component of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one operating surface includes at least one of a bronze, a bronze-plated steel, a bronze alloy, or an aluminum-bronze alloy.