We all know that EDM setup can be extremely time-consuming. Automating the setup process can save valuable time, especially when considering that some tools (especially those with multiple cavities) require dozens or even hundreds of electrodes. […]
Most mold and die shops rely on three-axis machines to do most of their milling work. Five-axis machines were not considered sturdy enough to mill hard materials used in Class 1 mold cavities. Moreover, five-axis programming was harder to learn and program. In general, these statements remain true. […]
Blow molds and many prototype molds are made from aluminum. Aluminum is a very soft material and requires special polishing procedures. A fine finish can be achieved, although it may never be as fine as the finish that is possible on steel. The following is a basic polishing procedure for aluminum. In time and with [...]
A quality hot runner system is critical to the injection molding of consistent, high quality parts. One of the most important performance aspects of a hot runner system is its temperature uniformity. The temperature should be consistent across the hot runner system and should not vary with time. Even slight variations in temperature can have [...]
As economic conditions improve and global competition intensifies, mold manufacturers are flocking to cutting-edge machine technology to achieve maximum efficiency. However, while new machine technologies dominate popular interest, tooling sometimes remains on the backburner. […]
Three terms define the business-success paradigm for today’s mold manufacturers and injection molders—particularly those who serve the automotive industry: quality, cycle time and cost. […]
Mold cleaning is required offline when the mold is on the bench and cold (room temperature); and, online when the mold is in the press and warm. Because of temperature differences, the cleaning solvents may have different degrees of effectiveness. Solvents that work well on the bench and evaporate at a convenient rate are usually [...]
Here we will discuss an approach for creating functional, high quality, 3-D elastomeric (rubber) parts for your product prototypes faster and easier than previously possible. This solution uses the capabilities of a 3-D printer, RTV (room temperature vulcanization) molding and casting, and a new CAD file manipulation tool that cuts hours to days out of [...]
Another reason micro hard milling is growing in popularity these days is that micro cutters are being offered in more expansive ranges of cutter reach lengths, provide longer cutting lives and generate near perfect surface finishes. And cutters are manufactured to exacting tolerances. For example, some cutting tool manufacturers hold diameter tolerances on their micro [...]
Many of today’s shops involved with micro machining are doing so on extremely hard metals, such as CPM (1-V, 3-V, 9-V) D2, A2 and F7 tool steels, along with hard powdered metals, all of which can be as hard, or harder than, 62-64 Rc. They also micro machine stainless steels like 450, 410, and 17-4 [...]