Making a better product to survive has never meant more than in today’s global manufacturing environment. For a company to succeed it is not enough just to make a good product. You have to be solving someone’s problems. Mold components are no exception in helping to keep tools running and making superior products that are [...]
Shops can perform their own innovation health check by looking closely at five key variables that affect innovation: […]
Begin machine evaluations with the thought that not all machine specifications are the same. Some manufacturers use JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), others ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and some German VDI guidelines. […]
The past decade has seen the CAD/CAM industry explode when it comes to its efficiency, sophistication and speed. Data and analysis in a recently released CAD worldwide report for 2008 to 2012 from Jon Peddie Research* reveals continued solid growth potential and reviews hardware advances, […]
Moldmakers typically work as subcontractors to Tier 1 suppliers. Aerospace OEMs, like their automotive counterparts, want to receive modules for assembly from a few suppliers rather than manufacture an aircraft from the ground up with components from hundreds of suppliers. […]
1. When purchasing tooling in China it is imperative that the buyer specify American Inch, DIN Metric or JIS Metric for components. The Chinese have their own Metric system and the parts are not available outside of China. […]
Traditionally, one of the largest barriers to achieving high surface finish has been vibration. Considering the whole spindle system, vibrations can be induced by several different components. Whether looking at the concentricity quality and balancing of the tool, toolholder system type, spindle interface or interface diameter, there is an intrinsic vibration existing within the system [...]
Machine controls today allow for extensive dynamic tuning of machine performance. The most common values to look at when considering machine dynamics are speed and acceleration. Equally important as each of these is jerk. […]
A new technology exists that ensures proper grease distribution to the spindle bearings over long duty cycles. This new grease lubrication system applies a shot of grease every 70 hours to each of the spindle bearings to ensure proper lubrication. […]
1. Manage 3-D data references between mold bases, parts and assemblies.Even though 3-D CAD systems provide distinct advantages in the development of molds, […]