Have you found any good EDM operators lately? If so, count yourself lucky. If not, you probably know that you are not alone. The current scarcity of skilled labor facing the manufacturing industry is unprecedented. Even if you are fortunate enough to have a skilled EDM operator, what happens when that person gets sick or [...]
Use of aluminum tooling has been an ongoing discussion for years, and the resulting flow of information has been a key part of aluminum’s growth as a mold material alternative. This continuous growth has led to advances in mold alloys, material size availability, mold design, finishing practices, coatings and welding techniques. More and more success [...]
In moldmaking, manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to increase productivity by cutting production time and costs. Today, a hybrid process exists that allows additive machining and milling in the same setup to address those two challenges. […]
Is your shop ready to amp up your mold manufacturing capabilities by upgrading from 3-axis to 5-axis machining? With the trend of 5-axis becoming more prevalent, affordable and easier to use, machinists across the world are making the necessary adjustments to take their shops to the next level. […]
Efficient CNC machining capabilities are more important than ever for moldmakers seeking to maintain a competitive edge in today’s market. Oftentimes, large, heavy parts require intricacies that become increasingly difficult to maintain using a standard three-axis or four-axis horizontal machining center. Switching to a 5-axis CNC machine can provide users with the ability to manufacture [...]
Increasing the effectiveness of EDM operations does not come solely with technological improvements in the EDM sinker. This is one of many aspects needing to be considered when working to optimize EDM performance and increase productivity. Other areas of consideration include the type of dielectric fluid, tooling and electrode material used in the EDM applications. [...]
Speed, precision and stability are the key attributes of a mold machine. With the increased accuracy demanded by sophisticated molded assemblies, particularly in the automotive supplier industry, mold shaping machine tools are breaking new ground in precision, speed and multi-axis cutting. […]
In the injection molding world, everybody has an opinion about how molds should be gated – how many should be used; where should they be located; and, what size and shape should they be? Much of what is actually implemented into mold designs comes from experience, whether it is from the moldmaker, molder or material [...]
Consider machine tool capability, intended milling techniques, programming, workholding and toolholding during your cutting tool selection process. […]
More than ever moldmakers are pressed to push the envelope on what is feasible and reasonable when it comes to accurately creating complex profiles. Companies today are heavily vested in each new product they bring to market. And good is not good enough. Manufacturing specs are often riddled with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances) [...]