The advantage of direct side gating
Mold builders and molders should carefully consider hot runner selection, as it dramatically impacts an injection molding system’s speed, quality and uptime. […]
Mold lifting safety issue
I think safety must be a primary consideration of the mold designer, how can a mold, or any heavy mold part, handled safely? No person should repeatedly lift parts heavier than 20kg or any part which is awkward to handle, regardless of weight, without some mechanical assistance, such as a hoist. Not only should nobody [...]
How to avoid getting hurt when handling a mold or mold part
There are four situations during which part or all of the molds is handled […]
Use Self-cleaning technology in your mold
Molds have to be cleaned. There’s no way to avoid it. But what if the mold could clean itself, eliminating the negative impact of manual maintenance on productivity? […]
Fully digital sinker EDM generators benefit mold maintenance
Moldmakers benefit the most, by far, from fully digital sinker EDM generators. The digital technology has advanced the functionality of generators to the point where mold shops can now precisely control and manipulate the EDM spark. Such control allows them to produce components that reduce overall mold maintenance costs for their customers. […]
Fully digital sinker EDM generators benefit Process Efficiency
Every moldmaker strives for higher cutting speeds and reduced electrode wear to increase overall mold production efficiency. However, as burn speed/spark power increases, so, too, does risk of damage to the part surface, especially in those applications where cavity undersizes are tight. […]
Fully digital sinker EDM generators benefit Electrode Wear
The ability of an EDM electrode to produce and maintain details is a crucial part of the machining process, and that ability is affected by its wear resistance, particularly when intricate details or thin, deep ribs are involved. To achieve maximum EDM productivity, moldmakers need technology that allows them to reduce electrode erosion/wear, ideally by [...]
How to understand the differences between steel and aluminum
The high-strength aluminum alloys available today are feasible alternatives to steel for tooling. Originally used primarily for the production of prototypes because of its lower cost, aluminum offers several other advantages that make it a viable option for production molds. […]
How to select the appropriate aluminum alloy for your mold project
If you opt to use aluminum for your next mold project, it’s important to select the appropriate aluminum alloy. Alloys are created when elements including copper, magnesium and zinc are added to the base aluminum. Each added element contributes individual beneficial properties that will improve the aluminum. […]
How to select welding wires for aluminum alloys
Different aluminum alloys require differing welding wires in order for successful welding to be achieved. Characteristics of the wire should match those of the specific alloy on which it will be welded, and the wire’s color-matching ability, strength and effect on HAZ should also be considered. Additionally, the welding wire must have a melting temperature [...]