The use of three-axis toolpaths [2, 3, 5] is sufficient as long as the part is not too deep with respect to the cutter diameter. If the part is deep and has narrow cavities, using pure three-axis toolpaths is not sufficient for the complete finishing process of the part. […]
Whether toolmakers can gain the same benefits from five-axis inspection as the manufacturers of complex aerospace and automotive parts will depend on the size and complexity of their molds. Manufacturers of very large or, more specifically, […]
The key to the time savings with five-axis inspection is the ability to overcome this limitation. The technique uses synchronized head and machine motion when scanning, allowing the probe to follow changes in part geometry rapidly without introducing dynamic errors. […]
I think at first we need the latest scanning technology, because successful application of five-axis inspection also requires the use of appropriate inspection software/program that supports the use of the new probe for the verification of both geometric and free-form shapes on all major makes of CMM. […]
This year an innovative solution offering the advantage of predictable and consistent gate opening found in typical valve gate applications, […]
Valve gate systems, the alternate solution, offer injection molders increased flexibility and process opportunities that cannot be achieved with the use of thermal gate systems. […]
The first to enter the market and still the most common are thermally operated. […]
Problems with some hot runner technologies are that heat loss through the nozzle can be 40 percent. The heater overheats plastic at the middle of the nozzle. […]
How do you go about evaluating hot runner nozzles? First, evaluate the entire molding system—including part design, plastics material, part weight, cycle time, mold, runner, gates (valve or thermal), nozzles, temperature control and molding machine characteristics. […]
Moldflow Plastic Insight (MPI) is a computer simulation of injection molding that “helps us begin to understand what is going on inside the mold,” […]