The decision to invest in a hot runner system is a major step in reducing molding costs. Some of the major benefits of adding any type of runnerless molding technology include: reduced or eliminated regrind, decreased cycle time and improved process capability. The selection of the right system for any given application will enhance the [...]
Cooling products—couplings, baffle blades, bubbler tubes, etc.—have traditionally been made with brass materials. In the case of baffle blades; however, brass has significant drawbacks that make it difficult to achieve maximum heat transfer. A new material—polypthalamide—offers a dramatic improvement in the performance and features for baffle blades used in plastic injection molds. […]
A continuing trend within the molding business is silicone molding, which is being used in the medical, electronics, packaging and automotive industries. The injection molding of silicone has many applications due to the hardness range of the material, from 5 to 90 durometer. […]
steven, president, at first-rate mold company points out that moldmaking, which has been a more or less national business, has become a global marketplace that puts a lot more pressure on leadtimes, pricing and the need for technology innovation. “Ten years ago ‘lean manufacturing’ and Six Sigma’ were terms hardly used in our industry, now [...]
All of the suppliers in this article agree that molds will continue to become more complex—and thus the demand for increasingly complex systems and components will continue to increase. […]
Buyers everywhere are finding it more and more difficult to navigate the global manufacturing ecosystem. They are discovering unexpected challenges in managing extended supply chains, particularly in sustaining complex, […]
The Web’s purpose—regardless of the application, market or industry—is to enable behavior, not to control it. This is a more important distinction than you might think, particularly for the complexities of the manufacturing ecosystem. […]
A mold that was built some time ago shows up at the dock and there’s little known about it. Those in Sales are glad to get the tool in, but in manufacturing (i.e., “reality”) one may not yet be sure about what to make of it, let alone what can be gained from an older [...]
At first glance, the accompanying chart of steel prices tells a disturbing story. After hitting an all-time high in mid-2008, prices descended during the next year or so. During this period, the U.S. economy was suffering through a deep and prolonged recession, so it is not surprising that the price of steel would drop. [...]
Following are eight tips for reinventing your mold project:1. Get out of denial. If you’re going to survive, you must move to a conceptual business model, and that means making some hard choices. […]