What is a Bolster Plate?

Merriam Webster defines a bolster plate as a circular metal plate bolted to the front axle of a wagon on which the front bolster is pivoted so that the front wheels can be turned.

It goes on to define a bolster as “a long narrow pillow or cushion filled with cotton, down or fibre. “Bolsters are usually firm for back or arm support or for decorative application. They are not a standard size or shape and commonly have a zipper or hook-and-loop enclosure. A foam insert is sometimes used for additional support”.

The bolsters we are familiar with in our industry are used in ships, metalworking, and blacksmithing and are the base plates in many industries.

So in our everyday context in industry, the “what is a bolster plate?” can be answered for our industrial manufacturing customers as a piece of steel material used to extend the press life of a die, mold and other tooling. It becomes the foundational structure to support a machine’s moving parts. The bolster provides accuracy for cutting, shearing, stamping and forming operations.

Bolster plates are located on the top of the press bed and are the working surface of the press. Rigidity is the key even though the plate is removable and replaceable. A bolster plate by the T-shaped slots that run across the surface of the plate.

Quality isn’t just important, it’s critical
For over 100 years Anchor Danly has been manufacturing die sets, frames, bolster plates, fabrications and Blanchard ground steel for our North American clients. Quality is in our DNA and we follow a rigorous process in design, build, and QC.

New bolster plate
We work with your engineers to provide you with a custom bolster plate directly from your CAD design.

Reconditioned bolster plate
If you have a current Anchor Danly or other manufactured bolster plate and need it to be updated or upgraded, we can help to repair or modify your plate.

Quality material
At Anchor Danly we manufacture most Bolster Plates out of A36 Hot Rolled Steel, 1018 and 4140, or 1045 Steel. Bolster plates can also be manufactured from aluminum or cast steel.

Do you need a new, or repaired bolster plate for your operations? Take the first step. Contact us at 519-966-4031 or send your CAD models to us here windsorquotes@anchordanly.com