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: […]
Re-Working Overseas MoldsPerhaps one of the more interesting markets we’ve seen in moldmaking in recent years is applying North American quality to overseas molds. In other words, shops are finding that making poorly made molds work properly, even having to re-machine features or whole molds, is an area of growth potential. […]
To maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace, many of today’s American mold-makers are differentiating their EDM capabilities by embracing micromoldmaking. Because of the complex, precise nature of the parts produced, those willing to adopt the technologies necessary to reliably produce micromolds open the doors to serve a growing segment of the market. [...]
Ten years ago, it would not have been uncommon for the leadtime to manufacture a mold to be in the 12 to 16 week range—three to four months. However, over the past decade significant technological advancements in both machine tools technologies and manufacturing techniques have drastically reduced production times. […]