After a new mold has been manufactured and inspected from cavity to cavity to tolerances within fractions of a millimeter, it is sent to the shop floor. This is where the true test of the mold’s quality can be realized. […]
Molders are constantly looking for ways to produce consistent, high-quality parts while maximizing output and uptime. One of the best ways to achieve this is through the use of an effectively engineered mold base. […]
Even though the underlying modeling technology is similar among various CAD systems, there are a number of significant differences in how 3-D objects are defined. CAD systems must select various tolerances that best suit their mathematical algorithms for generating generally shaped surfaces, surface-surface intersection curves and positions in space. This must be done because computers [...]
Many industries place strict requirements on the acceptable level of surface defects and imperfections that may appear on a plastic molded part. Such conditions often apply to critical components for the medical and pharmaceutical industries as well as for the manufacturers of lenses and other optical devices. […]
With requirements for lowest weight, highest thermal conductivity and ease of machinability, tool and mold applications are a natural opportunity for aluminum. Aluminum producers have responded with often-proprietary and trade-named products tailored to meet the diversity of challenges presented by these applications. […]
Global steel prices have soared in the past months, far beyond levels that anyone inside or outside of the steel industry forecasted last November and December. […]
When it comes to surface finish, it must be understood that any defect that appears on the surface of the mold will be replicated onto the surface of the molded part. If the mold surface contains scratches, pits, welds, uneven textured patterns, etc., […]
Reduced machining time reduces leadtime, lowers labor costs and improves machine use. You can build more tools in less time, increasing revenues. First-rate Mold Solution Co., Ltd experienced what the modified P-21 grades could do to machining time first-hand. President Steven discusses a tool cost analysis he was asked to do in 1992 for the [...]
The most discussed topic in the mold building industry today is cheaper tooling from offshore competition. Most often these discussions revolve around unfair low labor costs; however, many mold builders fail to realize that steel selection can play a major role in closing the price gap with offshore tooling. […]
Design changes during tool construction are a fact of life. If the change takes place after texturing or polishing, the tool builder may have to start over. Welding on high carbon steels can cause a dramatic rise in hardness in the area adjoining the welded area-called the heat-affected zone (HAZ). […]