Today, there are many innovations in cutting tool technology. Whether a seasoned pro or novice, these technologies are new for everyone. New edge preps, coatings, cutting materials, digital capabilities and application methods are differentiators that help shops remain competitive if their moldmakers know how to use them properly. While moldmakers who are entering the field [...]
Moldmaking is a lot about miniaturization. Whether it’s components for lifesaving medical devices or the scored grip on the bottom of a tube of lip balm, manufacturers use molds to generate tiny part features. […]
What factors drive machinists to choose between solid carbide and indexable cutting tools? Machine Tool.Most milling machine tools purchased in the United States today are lighter-duty machines with CAT40 or HSK 63 spindles, […]
Strategies vary for staying focused on increasing profitability and for remaining competitive in today's global economy. Machining is an essential process for the strategy of mold builders. This includes a focus on selecting and using the right cutting tools for each application. The first step to properly setting up each job that hits the shop [...]
There are a lot ways to make a shop better, more efficient, more productive and more profitable, but one practical method that is often overlooked is tool lifecycle management. This is about more than cutting tools. Fundamentally, it’s about data: ensuring that cutting tool data is available where and when it is needed. It links [...]
The benefits of prioritizing expected tool life over price when choosing metalcutting tools are clear, especially in the precision-focused and deadline-driven moldmaking industry. Reputedly, economical tools often provide abbreviated and unpredictable life that results in poor tolerance control and leads to expensive rework. […]
Moldmakers are always juggling the various complexities in a mold build. If the mold is relatively flat, the balls (tennis) are relatively easy to juggle. As the mold becomes more complex or deeper, the weight and size of the different balls changes (add a bowling ball and a ping pong ball). At the end of [...]
Every mold manufacturer is searching for ways to increase productivity, and sometimes that means examining your current processes and changing the way you work. Despite what many think about the dreaded “change” word, if change is implemented properly it can mean less work, not more. An area in which you can experience dramatic results with [...]
Surface finish problems can be profit killers for today’s mold manufacturer. One of the most common causes is chatter created by vibration in the CNC machine tool cutting process. This can lead to higher costs, delayed deliveries and even lost orders due to poor quality. In addition, vibration can cause uneven tool wear, resulting in [...]
The nature of HSM generates less heat when compared to conventional machining, but the temperatures in the cut also are more constant. Therefore, more advanced physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings are needed to sustain the cutting edge while it is engaged in the material. […]