We perform a complete mold flow analysis on every new injection mold we build. The moldflow software today is very accurate at predicting potential injection molding problems and bring benefits. By optimizing the cooling circuitry valuable cycle time can be reduced. Warpage data can be used to play critical features steel safe or modify the [...]
Technology in moldmaking has grown substantially over the years, and so has our knowledge of the full process of Design for Manufacturing (DFM). We’ve realized that it is important not only to consider the detail of designing for efficient molding, but to also consider how tooling, molding and tool maintenance should connect. DFM and experience [...]
Injection molders quote or estimate a job based on six primary factors: part weight, material cost, machine size, cycle time, labor requirements and packaging. The material and packaging costs are relatively easy to obtain from suppliers, which makes them fixed values—not estimates. Thanks to solid modeling software programs, part weight is also a fixed value, [...]
Injection molding is a manufacturing process used in creating a wide range of products in a short amount of time. For an effective manufacturing process, a durable mold is crucial in injection molding as it ensures consistency in the quality of part production. However, due to mold design inconsistency can comprise the final product quality. [...]
When a mold shop integrated a Smart Manufacturing system into our shop, you will experience an instant transformation in the way you conduct business. you will provide your customers with more information and data faster than ever before. The result of this has been a decrease in critical tool build lead times, an improved bottom [...]
It seems there are a lot of classes and programs available that you can earn the title of ‘expert’ in a few short weeks or months. While that may work for a some jobs, a mold designer needs to have a substantially more experience to earn the reputation on an expert. If you’ve ever wondered [...]
Injection molding is one of the leading processes for manufacturing plastics. It is widely used for mass-producing identical parts with tight tolerances. It is a cost-effective and extremely repeatable technology that yields high-quality parts for large series production. It is a fast, intensive process where high heat and pressure are involved to inject molten material [...]
From the assembly line chaos of the 1936 Charlie Chaplin classic Modern Times and the robot-driven science fiction movies of the 1950s and beyond, automation (and its inherent robot-driven workforce) has always struck fear in the hearts and minds of organized labor. Since Ford Motor Vice President D.S. Harder first coined the phrase in 1946, [...]
With the proportion of free-form surfaces increasing and the precision requirements for mold processing rising, manufacturing molds of high quality and securing the stability and quality during production has become vital. 3D scanning technologies are a game changer in these processes. Mold Design with 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering Reverse engineering aims to reproduce an [...]
Mold builders encounter many challenges when deep-hole drilling, including hole straightness, poor cutting tool life and excessive time spent in the hole. Troubleshooting these challenges requires a look at correct coolant flow, pressure and chip evacuation but begins with understanding the limitations of the cutting tools, toolholders and machines. Time—whether spent in the hole, changing [...]