Patent Publication Number: US-2021178624-A1

Title: Positioning pin for die counterplate

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to apparatus and related methods for the set-up of a die and counterplate for cut and crease forming operations. In particular, the invention relates to a novel alignment pin which reduces time and operations required in the set-up of a die and counterplate in such operations. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Cut and crease forming operations, for creating foldable nets for folded items, are well known and are carried out typically with a die and a counterplate. The die will carry a series of sharp or blunt blades, each configured to cut and/or crease selected regions of a planar sheet placed between the die and counterplate, to create a net for e.g. a box or other cut and folded item, for example containers, envelopes, point of sale display stands or other packaging related material. The process relies on the blades on the die being properly aligned with slots or recesses on an appropriate counterplate. This is to ensure that the blades can appropriately cut or crease the blank due to their force and shape being applied to the blank and being properly countered by an opposing feature on the counterplate. A die and counterplate pair is therefore unique to a particular form of a net to be produced from the blank. For each manufacturing run requiring a new die, a new counterplate must be aligned with the die. This is generally achieved by providing a counterplate with an adhesive back, to be aligned in the forming machine and pressed onto the carrier for the counterplate by action of the machine bringing the die into contact with the counterplate. 
     An example of steps in a process for setting up a die and counterplate is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1D . 
     In  FIG. 1A  a counterplate alignment pin  10  is provided in a die board  1 . A resilient spacer  11  is placed around a protruding end of the alignment pin  10 , with the alignment pin  10  standing proud of the die board  1  and the spacer  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the counterplate  3  is located over the blades  12  and  13 . As is known in the art, blades  12  and  13  are configured to either be sharp, in order to cut a sheet placed between the blade and the counterplate  3 , or to have a generally curved outer edge, to crease a sheet placed between the blade and the counterplate  3 , to allow easy folding along the crease. As will be appreciated, although only one alignment pin  10  and spacer  11  is shown, and a sub-section of the die board  1  is shown, it will be appreciated that in a full operation, a plurality of alignment pins  10  will often be used in order to provide reliable two-dimensional alignment of the counterplate  3  relative to the die board  1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the die cutting machine is actuated to press the die board  1  and the counterplate board  4  together in a direction of arrows A and B. The side of the counterplate  3  facing the counterplate board  4  is self-adhesive; a covering layer is generally removed before the counterplate is pressed onto the counterplate board  4 . When the die board  1  and counterplate board  4  are pressed together, then the counterplate is stuck to the counterplate board  4  via its adhesive back. Compression of the die board  1  and counterplate board  4  together both causes adhesion of the counterplate to the counterplate board, and, also presses the alignment pin  10  back into the die board  1 . This also compresses the counterplate  3  between the resilient spacer  11  and the counterplate board  4  in order to ensure local adhesion in the region of the alignment pin  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1D , once the die board  1  and the counterplate board  4  are separated once more, the counterplate  3  remains adhered to the counterplate board  4  and the system is now ready for blanks to be provided between the blades  12 ,  13 , and the counterplate  3  to manufacture foldable nets according to the blade and counterplate configuration put in place. 
     In standard known arrangements of the alignment pin  10  and resilient spacer  11 , these components are simply provided in such a manner as to provide some resistance to movement to the alignment pin. During the pressing of the counterplate, the alignment pin is pushed back into the die board  1 . If the alignment pin is required for alignment of a further counterplate for a new manufacturing run, it must be manually extended out of the die board. In past systems, this is commonly done by pushing out the alignment pin from a side of the die board opposite the blades (i.e. a back face of the die board). The resilient spacer  11  of previous systems is a generally loose element and so has to be removed from the die board manually before the manufacturing operation can begin. This is because the retraction of the alignment pin would leave the resilience spacer free and so the spacer must be removed to avoid interference with the manufacturing operations to follow. Carrying out operations from the back face of the die board in this way can be complex and there is, of course, the risk of the resilient spacers  11  not all being successfully retrieved, meaning that they could still cause a potential issue with later manufacturing operations. 
     There is therefore a need for improved configurations of alignment pins and/or resilient spacers for the counterplate alignment procedure described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an alignment device which is configured to enable the alignment pin to be drawn into an extended position within a mounting body from a blade-side of a die board. The pin can be held in extended and retracted positions in the mounting body and can thus be extended for counterplate alignment operations and retracted into the die board during manufacturing operations. An integral spacer member is preferably incorporated into the device, which can be biased into an extended position with the alignment pin for alignment purposes and for pressing the counterplate onto a counterplate board during setup of the die and counterplate. Once a biasing force biasing the spacer member and/or pin into the extended position is overcome, both elements retract toward the die board and are retained thereto during manufacturing operations. For further alignment operations, the pin and spacer can be pulled away from the die board to their extended positions once more. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, an alignment device is provided for aligning a counterplate with a die plate, comprising an alignment assembly, the alignment assembly comprising:
         an elongate alignment pin having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends;   a mounting body, the pin being disposed in the mounting body;   a spacer member, comprising:
           a spacer portion extending radially from the pin; and   a retaining portion for retaining the spacer member to the assembly;   
           the alignment pin, spacer member and/or mounting body being configured such that the pin is retained in the sleeve or mounting body in a first, extended, position, and in a second, retracted, position;   wherein the spacer member is retained to the assembly in both the extended and retracted positions of the pin.       

     The device may be further configured to achieve any of the following features. When the alignment pin is arranged in the retracted position, the spacer member may be slideably retained to the assembly and is translatable along the longitudinal axis of the alignment pin. 
     When the alignment pin is arranged in the retracted position, the spacer member may be biased away from the mounting body. 
     When the alignment pin is arranged in the retracted position, the retaining portion of the spacer member may be configured to bias a first side of the spacer member away from the mounting body. 
     When the alignment pin is in its extended position, the spacer member may be held in substantially fixed position relative to the alignment pin and/or the mounting body. 
     The retaining portion of the spacer member may be configured to retain the spacer member to the assembly and to retain the pin within the, mounting body. 
     The retaining portion of the spacer member may be configured to be located radially between the alignment pin and the mounting body. 
     When arranged in the retracted position of the alignment pin, the retaining portion of the spacer member may be configured to bias the first side of the spacer member away from the mounting body by biasing against a first shoulder on the alignment pin. 
     When arranged in the extended position of the pin, the pin may be biased into the extended position by one or more biasing members of the mounting body acting on a second shoulder of the pin. 
     The retaining portion of the spacer member may be configured to retain the spacer member to the alignment pin. 
     The retaining portion of the spacer member may be configured to retain the spacer member to the alignment pin by a first substantially radially extending feature of the retaining portion engaging a corresponding substantially radially extending feature of the alignment pin. 
     The retaining portion of the spacer member may be configured to retain the spacer member to the alignment pin by a second substantially radially extending feature of the retaining portion engaging a corresponding substantially radially extending feature of the mounting body. 
     The spacer member and/or the alignment pin may comprise an engagement portion configured to be engaged by a setting tool to draw the spacer and/or alignment pin away from the mounting body to place the alignment pin in the extended position. 
     The alignment pin may comprise an engagement surface configured to be engaged by a setting tool to pull the alignment pin away from the mounting body to place the alignment pin in the extended position. 
     The spacer member may comprise secondary retaining means, configured to retain the assembly in the extended configuration. 
     The secondary retaining means may comprise at least one projection on the retaining member of the spacer member, configured to engage an engagement member of the mounting body. 
     A system comprising an alignment device according to any of the preceding claims, and a setting tool, configured to engage an engagement portion or surface of the alignment pin and/or the spacer member, to pull the alignment pin and/or spacer member into the extended position. 
     A setting tool for an alignment device according to the invention may comprise a longitudinal tool axis and at least one circumferentially projecting hook for engaging a mounting-body-facing surface of the spacer member to draw the spacer member away from the mounting body. 
     A setting tool for an alignment device according to the invention may comprise at least one inwardly projecting protrusion, configured to engage a recess on an outer surface of the alignment pin, to draw the alignment pin away from the mounting body to the extended position. 
     According to a further aspect, there is provided an alignment device for aligning a counterplate with a die plate, comprising an alignment assembly, the alignment assembly comprising:
         an elongate alignment pin having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends;   a mounting body, the pin being disposed in the mounting body;   the alignment pin and mounting body being configured such that the pin can be retained in the mounting body in a first, extended, position, and in a second, retracted, position;   wherein the alignment pin comprises an engagement surface configured to be engaged by a setting tool to pull the alignment pin away from the mounting body to place the alignment pin in the extended position A method of aligning a counter plate with a die for cut and crease manufacturing operations is further provided, comprising the steps of   a) providing one or more alignment devices projecting from a blade side of a die board, the alignment device comprising an alignment pin retained in a mounting, body, the pin and mounting body configured such that the pin can be retained in a first, extended, position, and in a second, retracted, position:   b) aligning a counterplate over the die by alignment with the alignment pin;   c) actuating a press to press the counterplate onto a counterplate board, the force of the press moving the alignment pin from its extended position to its retracted position; and   d) pulling the alignment pin from a blade side direction, to place it in its extended position, preferably after using the counter plate and die to cut and crease one or more sheets.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A to 1D  illustrate steps in a method of aligning a counterplate in which embodiments of the invention can be used. 
         FIGS. 2A to 2G  illustrate a first embodiment of an alignment device and corresponding setting tool in accordance with the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A to 3H  illustrate a second embodiment of an alignment device and corresponding setting tool according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 2A  shows a first embodiment of an alignment device according to the invention. The device  200  is assembled from a plurality of parts and generally comprises an alignment pin  210 , a spacer member  230  and a mounting body  260 . The alignment pin comprises a first end  211  and a second and second end  212 , and has a longitudinal axis X extending therebetween. The pin comprises a first shoulder  213  and a second shoulder  214 . The shoulder is a substantially radially-extending surface of the pin  210 . It may not extend perpendicularly to axis X. For example, first shoulder  213 , is oriented towards the first end  211 , and extends away from the axis X at a first angle. Second shoulder  214  is oriented towards the second end  212  and extends away from axis X at a second angle. The first angle of shoulder  213  may be greater or lesser than the angle of shoulder  214 . In the illustrated example, the angle of shoulder  213  with respect to axis X is less than the angle of shoulder  214  with respect to axis X. 
     At least one recess  215  is provided in a side of the pin  210 . As will be described in relation to later figures, this is for receiving one or more radially extending features  235 ,  236  of retaining portion or portions  233 , 234  of the spacer member  230 . Spacer member  230  may comprise one or more spacer portions  231 ,  232  which extend radially from the common longitudinal axis X shared by the pin  210  and the spacer member  230  when assembled together, as will be described in relation to later figures. 
     In addition to the spacer portion or portions  231 ,  232 , the spacer member  230  may comprise one or more retaining portions  233 ,  234 . These retaining portion(s) are configured for retaining the spacer member to the eventual assembly of alignment pin  210 , spacer member  230  and mounting body  260 . The retaining portion or portions  233 ,  234 , may comprise one or more outward radial projections  237  and  238  and one or more inward radial projections  235  and  236 . As will be clear from later assembly drawings, these projections can act to retain the overall assembly in an assembled state, while allowing movement of the alignment pin  210  and/or space member  230 , between different assembled positions. The spacer portion or portions  230 ,  231  are generally configured to extend radially outward from the pin  210 . A first surface  239  of the spacer portion faces away from the mounting body  260  and can generally act as a bearing surface against which the counterplate  3  can bear when the alignment device  200  is used in the methods described in relation to  FIGS. 1A to 1D . The spacer member  230  is generally arranged to take the place of the resilient spacer  11  shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1D . It therefore comprises a central opening for receiving the, alignment pin  210 , and the first surface  239 , which is configured to face the counterplate  3  when the alignment device  200  is located in the die board  1 . The system described in  FIG. 2A  can also include a separate setting tool  280 . The setting tool  280  can comprise one or more circumferentially extending hooks  281 ,  282 , and these can be configured to engage a second surface  240  of the spacer member, which surface is generally oriented towards the mounting body  260  of the device  200 . Hooks  281  and  282  may be configured to pass through notches  241  and  242  in the spacer member in order to engage the second surface  240 . As will be appreciated, rotation of the tool  280  after passing the hooks through the notches can engage the hooks with the surface  240  of the spacer member  230 . 
     When assembled, the alignment pin  210  and the spacer member  230  are at least partially received within the mounting body  260 . The illustrated mounting body  260  has a generally substantially cylindrical form, but other forms can perform the core function of the mounting body, which is to allow the alignment pin  210  to be retained in its two function positions, the first being an extended position where the pin is extended out from a first end  261  of the mounting body, the second being a retracted position, in which the pin is at least partially retracted back into the mounting body  260 , at least so as to protrude from the mounting body to a lesser degree than when in its extended position. The mounting body  260  preferably comprises one or more resilient engagement members  262  and  263 , which can engage the second shoulder  214  of the alignment pin  210  to retain the pin  210  in its extended position. When the pin is in its extended position, the spacer member  230  can also be considered to be in an extended position, with the surface  239  extended away from the mounting body  260  to a greater degree than when the pin and spacer member are in a retracted position. 
       FIG. 2B  shows the spacer member  230  mounted to the pin  210 . In the illustrated configuration, the spacer member  230  is in a first, advanced, position on the alignment pin  210  in which the first surface  239  of the spacer member is advanced towards, and preferably aligned with, the first end  211  of the alignment pin  210 . The first and second radially inwardly projecting portions  235  and  236  can prevent the spacer member from extending beyond the end  211  of the alignment pin  210  in this direction, by engagement with either or both of recesses  215  and/or  216 . 
       FIG. 2C  shows the spacer member  230  mounted to the alignment pin  210  in a second, retracted position, in which the surface  239  of the spacer member is retracted behind the first end  211  of the alignment pin  210 . When is this position, the retaining portion(s)  233 ,  234  is/are biased outwardly, radially away from the longitudinal axis X by engagement with first shoulder  213  of the alignment pin  210 . As will be appreciated, the further down in the direction of arrow C the spacer member  230  is pressed, the greater the outward biasing of the retaining portions  233  and  234  will be. Since the retaining portions  233  and  234  are biases inwardly toward the axis X, the spacer member  230  is biased towards the first end  211  of the alignment pin and away from s second end  212  by interaction of the retaining members with the first shoulder  213 . When the alignment pin  210  is in a retracted position within the mounting body  260 , the spacer is free to occupy and move between the advanced position of  FIG. 26 , or the retracted position of  FIG. 2C . The biasing of the spacer member  230  towards the first end  211  of the alignment pin provides a resilient force and so, when installed in the die board  1  of  FIG. 1A , the spacer member  230  can mimic the biasing force of the resilient spacer  11  shown in  FIG. 1A . This is a preferred way of biasing the spacer member toward the first end  211  of the pin  210 , although other methods of biasing the spacer member axially along the axis X of the pin  210  can be envisaged. 
       FIG. 2D  shows further detail of the mounting body  260 , where an optional inner step  264  can be identified, preferably comprising one or more inner openings  265  for receiving the “legs” or retaining portions  233  and  234  of the spacer member  230 . 
       FIGS. 2E, 2F and 2G  show different views of the alignment advice with the alignment pin  210  in its extended position. As can be seen, in this configuration, the alignment pin  210  is biased into its extended position by an interference fit (shown by an overlap) between the second shoulder  214  of the pin  210  and the engagement members  262  and  263  of the mounting body  26 . Further, when the pin  210  is biased into this position, the spacer member  230  is substantially fixed in the retracted position of  FIG. 2C , relative to the alignment pin  210 . This is because the retaining portions of the spacer member  230  are substantially fixedly compressed between the first shoulder  213  of the alignment pin and a radially inward projecting surface  267  of the mounting body  260 , which can engage one or both of the radially outward projecting portions  237  and/or  238  of the retaining portion(s) of the spacer member  230 . 
     As will be appreciated, particularly from  FIG. 2F , whether the alignment pin  210  is in the extended position shown in  FIG. 2F  or in a retracted position, with the shoulders  214  and  213  of the pin below the engagement members  262  and  263 , the inward projections  235  and/or  236  of the retaining portion(s) of the spacer member  230  can be provided to prevent the alignment pin  210  from exiting the mounting body in a direction of arrow D. Further, either or both of the outwardly projecting portions  237  and  238  of the retaining portion(s) of the spacer member can be provided to prevent either or both of the spacer member and the alignment pin  210  from exiting the mounting body  260  in a direction of arrow E of  FIG. 2F . 
     The assembly allows the alignment pin  210  to be biased into the extended position of  FIGS. 2E to 2G , and retained and place by engagement members  262  and  263  of the mounting body  260 . As will be appreciated, when a sufficient force is applied to the alignment pin  210  and/or the spacer member  230  in a direction of arrow D of  FIG. 2G , i.e. in a direction toward the second end  212  of the alignment pin  210 , then the biasing force of the engagement members  262  and  263  can be overcome, and the alignment pin  210  will be moved to a position where the shoulder  214  is below the engagement members  262  and  263 . This can be considered a retracted position of the alignment pin  210 . The alignment pin  210  will generally be prevented from passing a position where the second end  212  is aligned with the bottom end  268  of the mounting body  260 . This may be achieved by the pin  210  resting on a surface which is aligned with the bottom end  268 , i.e. a surface of the die board  1 . Alternatively, this may be achieved by providing a suitable lip or projection on the inner surface of the mounting body  260  to limit the movement of the pin  210  in a direction of arrow D, as will be shown in relation to  FIGS. 3A to 3H . This position of the pin will cause the first end  211  of the pin  210  to stand proud of the top of the mounting body  260 , and, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , the spacer member  230  will be biased into the advanced position shown in  FIG. 2B , where the surface  239  is biased towards the first end  211  of the alignment pin  210 . 
     These extended and retracted positions of the alignment pin  210  and spacer member  230  can now be explained in the context of the process illustrated in  FIGS. 1A  to ID. For the step illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the mounting body  260  is mounted in the die board  1  and the setting tool  280  can be used to draw the pin  210  and spacer member  230  into the extended position illustrated in  FIGS. 2E to 2G . 
     In the step of  FIG. 1B , the counterplate  3  can be mounted to the die board and aligned onto the first end or ends  211  of one or more alignment pins  210  provided in the die board for alignment purposes. The spacer member  230 , being held in fixed relation to the first end  211  of the alignment pin  210 , holds the counterplate at a suitable spacing from the die plate, while the pin  210  provides the alignment function. In the step illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the counterplate board  4  and the die board  1  are brought together in the direction of arrows A and B as illustrated in  FIG. 1C . When the counterplate comes into contact with the counterplate board  4 , the spacer member  230  will provide a compressive force via its counterplate-facing surface  239 , until such point time as the biasing force of the engagement members  262  and  263  of the mounting body is overcome by the compressive force of the counterplate board on the counterplate  3 . By this action, a compressive force will have been applied by the spacer member  230 , until such time as that is overcome by the force of the counterplate board in the direction of arrow D of  FIG. 2G . After that point, the pin  210  will be pressed back into its retracted position, and the biasing force towards the advanced position of  FIG. 2B  will remain in place, providing an additional resilient force, biasing the counterplate  3  onto the counterplate board  4 . 
     Once this process is complete, the alignment pin  210  is now retracted within the mounting body  260 . Then the pin  210  protrudes from the spacer member  230 , but sits sub-flush relative to the blades  12 ,  13 , or, otherwise stated the pin first end  211  remains between the outer edge of the blades  12 ,  13 , and the surface of the die board  1 . The spacer member  230  can then provide a surface against, which sheets to be stamped in the die may rest, with the pin  210  protruding from it. However, the pin may sit sufficiently low in the die board that it is completely clear of the sheets to be cut and creased during the manufacturing operation. Therefore, the manufacturing operation can continue without any need to remove the alignment pin or pins  210 , nor any resilient spacer member  11 , which had to be removed in the prior art process illustrated and described in  FIGS. 1A to 1D . 
     Further, if the process needs to be reconfigured to use a new counterplate to align with a new die, the alignment devices in the system can simply be reset with the setting tool  280 , and there is no need to reinstall any pins  10 , nor any resilient spacers  11 , as would otherwise be the case in the prior art process described in  FIGS. 1A to 1D . 
       FIGS. 3A to 3F  show an alternative embodiment  300  of an alignment device. The arrangement and functioning of the device  300  is in many respects equivalent to that of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2G . For example, the pin  310  can move between its extended and retracted positions in the same manner as the pin  211  in  FIGS. 2A to 2G . The engagement of pin  310  with spacer member  330  to create the biased movement between the pin  310  and the spacer member  330  is equivalent to that described in relation to  FIGS. 2B and 2C  and, in a general sense, the device can be incorporated into the process illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1D  in the same manner as described in relation to the earlier embodiment of  FIGS. 2A to 2G . Equivalent features in  FIGS. 3A to 3F  are given the same numerals as those in  FIGS. 2A to 2F , but with the first digit being a 3 instead of a 2. 
     The primary differences between the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A to 3F  and  FIGS. 2A to 2G  lie in a number of areas, including: the provision of one or more tool engagement recesses  317  and  318  towards the first end  311  of the pin  310 ; the provision of one or more secondary engagement portions,  371 ,  372  on the mounting body, with one or more corresponding engagement projections  351  and  352  on the retaining portion(s) of the spacer member  330 ; a further retaining projection  370  inside the bore of the mounting body  360 ; and a different configuration of setting tool  380 , These features will be described in more detail in the following, while other features can be considered equivalent to those described in relation to  FIGS. 2A to 2G . 
     As illustrated in the  FIGS. 3A and 3E , one or more tool engagement recesses  317 ,  318  is provided toward a first end  311  of the pin  310 . This recess or recesses comprises at least one substantially radially projecting surface, oriented towards the second end  312  of the pin  310 . This surface allows a projection or projections  381  and/or  382  of the setting tool  380  to engage that surface in order draw the pin  310  in a longitudinal direction away from the mounting body, as illustrated by arrow E in  FIG. 3E . This enables the tractive force of the setting tool  380  to be provided directly to the pin  310 , which can avoid the stresses induced in the spacer member  330  when drawing the pin via the spacer member  230  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A to 2G . This can allow the spacer member  330  to be made from less material and to be of more efficient construction. This further enables the pin  310  to be drawn up to a higher position than the spacer member  330  during the setting operation. 
     Radially inwardly facing reassess  341  and  343  can also be provided in spacer member  330 . These can provide sufficient space for the projection or projections  381  and  382  of the setting tool  380  to pass around the first end  311  of the pin and into the tool engagement recesses  317  and/or  318 . These reassess  341  and  341  are optional, but in their absence, the bore of the spacer member  330  would have to otherwise provide sufficient space between the pin  310  and the inner bore of the opening in the spacer member  330 , to allow passage of the relevant portions of the setting tool  380  into the engagement recesses  317 / 318 . 
     A further optional feature which may be included in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3F  is the additional secondary engagement portions  371  and  372 . One or more such features may be provided to provide an additional holding force, holding the spacer member  330  in its extended position when the pin  310  is in its extended position in the mounting body  360 . This can be seen in, for example,  FIGS. 3D and 3E . In particular, the secondary engagement portion  371 , is lodged below the engagement projection  351  of the spacer member and so it is necessary to bias the engagement member  371  radially outward to allow the projection  351  to pass downward in the direction of arrow D, in order to retract the pin  310  and the spacer member  330  to their retracted positions. Similarly, the same effect can be provided via projection  355  contacting a further secondary engagement portion  372  on a further retaining portion  334  of the spacer member  330 . Direct engagement of the spacer member  330  with the mounting body  360  can therefore be implemented to retain the pin  310  and spacer member  330  in their respective extended positions. 
     Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A to 3F , the force required to move the spacer member  330  and pin  310  from their extended position to their retracted positions can be increased. This can help to increase the biasing force provided by the spacer member  330  to press the counterplate onto the counterplate board in the step illustrated in  FIG. 1C . As will be appreciated, the size and strength of the engagement portions  371 ,  372  and projections  351 ,  352  can be varied to vary the overall force required to be applied to the spacer member  330  in order to retract the spacer member  330  and pin  310  within the mounting body  360 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 3E and 3F , an optional radially inward projection  370  can be provided within the mounting body  360 . This is preferably arranged to engage the second shoulder  314  of the pin  310 , to assist with retaining the pin  310  within the body  360 . This can hold the pin  310  at a set retracted position within the mounting body by hindering its passage out of the mounting body  360  in a direction of arrow D. This can help to provide a pre-set retracted position via the features of the mounting body, rather than relying on the second end  312  of the pin  310  resting on any surface of any secondary element as optionally described in relation to  FIGS. 2F and 2G . This can improve the reliability and repeatability of the operation of the alignment device  300 . 
     Turning to the setting tool  380 , as can be seen, it comprises one or more arms  383  and  384 , and at an end of one or more of the arms is provided a radially inwardly extending projection  381  and  382 . These inward projections generally comprise a substantially inwardly extending surface configured to be oriented towards a first end  311  of the pin  310 , such that it can engage the surface of one or more of the tool engagement recess  317  and/or  318  which is oriented substantially towards the second end  312  of the alignment pin  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the projections are substantially rounded, or substantially part-spherically formed. However, any substantially straight or curved surface can be provided. It can be advantageous to provide the curved surfaces illustrated, since this can assist with easy passage of the tip or tips of the tool  380  into the recess or recesses  317 ,  318 . In the illustrated configuration, where there are two or more substantially opposed projections  381 ,  382 , the tool can be advantageously “pinched” by a user, or by automated means, to provide a gripping force on the pin  310 , which assists with ensuring correct engagement of the tool with the pin  310  in order to draw it axially away from the mounting body  360  to move the pin to its extended position. 
     The setting tool  380  is also provided with a spacer member engagement portion  385 . This portion is configured to engage the spacer member  330  in order to press the spacer member into the mounting body. This may be required, for example, if it is no, longer required to have the device in the extended configuration, or in any instance where manual placing of the pin and spacer member  330  in the retracted positions is desirable. The spacer member engagement portion  385  may be provided with an opening or recess configured to correspond with the first end  311  of the pin when in its extended position, such that any force provided by the tool when pressed is provided to the spacer member  330  rather than to pin  310 . 
     As can be seen in the embodiments of  FIGS. 2A to 2G and 3A to 3F , a void  275 ,  375 , can be provided adjacent the second end  212 ,  312  of the pin  210 ,  310 , since it is possible to create the pin with sufficient strength and structure without material in this region and this therefore reduces the amount of material required to manufacture the pin  210 ,  310 . 
       FIG. 3G  illustrates the setting tool  380  in an engaged configuration with the alignment device  300  and, as will be appreciated from the earlier figures, a tractive force provided in the direction of arrow F can be used to pull the pin  310  and spacer member  330  to their extended positions in order to set the alignment device, ready for the steps described in relation to  FIGS. 1B and 1C . 
       FIG. 3H  illustrates how the setting tool  380  can also be used to press the spacer member  330  and pin  310  into their retracted positions by applying a force in a direction of arrow G of  FIG. 3H . At least one, part of the spacer member engagement portion  385  may extend laterally away from the body of the setting tool  380  so as to extend beyond an edge of the spacer member  330  when engaging the spacer member  330 . This can be used to prevent the tool from pushing the device  300  into the die board too far. if extending flush with the spacer member engagement portion, this can prevent the device  300  from being pushed sub-flush in, or below the surface of, the die board  1 . The setting tool  380  may therefore have one or more projecting portions, such as fins  386  and  387 , to provide this effect, although a variety of precise forms of projection can provide this function. As described above, this can be used to retract the pin and spacer member, for example, in the event of inadvertent setting of the device to the extended configuration, or, for example, if the device fails to properly retract during the set up operation illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1D . 
     Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.