With the release of Mastercam X (10), the application became a true Windows-based application, as opposed to one ported over from DOS. It also represented a fundamental shift in the way the application was configured. […]
Founded in Massachusetts in 1983, CNC Software, Inc. is one of the oldest developers of PC-based computer-aided design / computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software. They are one of the first to introduce CAD/CAM software designed for both machinists and engineers. Mastercam, CNC Software’s main product, started as a 2D CAM system with CAD tools that let machinists design [...]
Let me say first that stopping and pulling molds for scheduled PMs is a good maintenance practice … period … but unfortunately not always possible in every situation if you want to keep your customers happy and in parts. What? A mold maintenance evangelist saying that regularly scheduled PMs won’t make us more money by [...]
In the U.S. we are accustomed to the standard of measurement for defining mold surfaces set forth by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), but elsewhere in this world they use such measurements as Roughness Average (RA), Root Mean Square (RMS) and Micro Inch Finish. […]
Using machine-ready blanks eliminates the need to adjust setups and fixture offsets for each blank. In turn, this minimizes variation from part-to-part and increases part-to-part repeatability. Since the cost of machine-ready blanks is more than offset by labor and machine time savings, machine-ready blanks always reduce the overall cost of parts. […]
What you really need to know to set maximum mold cycles can only be determined through close visual inspection of mold plates and tooling after a production run and the ability to accurately answer a few production related questions that relate to maintenance requirements: […]
The equipment for producing machine-ready blanks efficiently may not be purchased off-the-shelf, including specialized Blanchard grinders, double-disc grinders and duplex mills. The machines of your machine-ready blank supplier should be retrofitted with CNC controls to improve accuracy and ensure repeatability; and their processes in place should be certified by ISO 9001:2000. […]
On the manufacturing level in general, streamlining the supply chain has moved front and center over the past 10 years, first-rate mold company president, steven maintains. […]
A mold frame that incorporates steel support pillars has all of the thermal benefits of aluminum matched with the durability of a steel mold—resulting in reduced cycle times combined with added strength and durability. […]
Not wanting disappoint them right out of the gate, I threw out a standard rule of thumb used when pressed for max cycle counts: 250,000 is typically a good starting point, but can vary greatly—up or down—depending upon the following production characteristics and mold design: […]