How to find an RP Service Provider
Rapid prototyping services can be evaluated in terms of technology, experience, know-how and service. […]
Choose right Software for Five-Axis Programming
Most of the five-axis “magic” is managed by software in the CNC control and CAM software systems. The machine tool should be selected for sizes, speeds and capacities. And five-axis machine costs are coming down, and quality is improving with the implementation of CAD and simulation in the design process. […]
Plunging is an important maching method
Plunging—or as it has been recently called in the Midwest, stomping—typically has been an approach saved for long reach roughing applications. When performing roughing applications there are many ways to get the job done—from basic “Z” level roughing using conventional methods (large depth-of-cut, slow feed) to the high speed/feed methods (shallow depth-of-cut, increased feedrates) applied [...]
How to make mold with high efficency
Today’s moldmaker faces a constant barrage of challenges from customers. Demands for shorter turnaround times, reduced prices and increased precision can often overwhelm a shop’s resources. In this environment, it is not surprising that many manufacturers resort to a reactive philosophy, pursuing change only when directly called upon to do so by requirements of a [...]
How to machine Mold Steel
How much metal are you removing and how fast are you removing it? A common question among mold shops today, which leads to the next topic: high-feed metal removal. High-feed cutters give you the advantage of machining efficiently and affordably. […]
How to Machine Aluminum
Today in moldmaking it is very common to see a manufacturer use aluminum material over steel for their plastic injection molds. Aluminum is easier to machine, easier to handle, able to provide quicker turnaround times, and in most cases, higher quality for their injection-molded plastic products. Aluminum still has its unique characteristics that require a [...]
How to evaluate your cutting tool
With the implementation of new cutting tool technologies, companies can focus on time cost reduction, shortening leadtimes and in many instances reaching the break even point of their cutting tool investment within hours. […]
How to do Technology Investment in medical mold
Machining Challenges“In the medical mold and die industry, customers face even more challenges than in a typical environment due to the incredibly small sizes and the high precision that is required,” comments Steven, president of First-rate mold company “That is key—high precision—smaller items with tighter tolerances and better surface finish. […]
High-Speed Machining helps Micro-mold
Micro-mold involves mills and drills with a diameter of 0.250″ or less. It is required for intricate, very detailed machining and works best with high-speed spindles. HSM has no set definition or absolute parameters, but one workable definition is machining with spindle speeds of 25,000 rpm or more. […]
Expose the facts about diamond-coated tool
1. There are differences between CVD diamond and amorphous diamond.Amorphous diamond is a carbon film that is applied using physical vapor deposition. It has some of the SP3 bonds that diamond has and some of the SP2 bonds that carbon has. The resulting film is hard, but not as hard as diamond. […]