In the injection molding world, everybody has an opinion about how molds should be gated – how many should be used; where should they be located; and, what size and shape should they be? Much of what is actually implemented into mold designs comes from experience, whether it is from the moldmaker, molder or material [...]
“How can we mold more parts on the same equipment in less time and lower our costs?” is a standard question whose common answers include reduce cycle time and/or improve mold yield efficiency. Surface treatments have been part of this solution and in the last 10 years a new family of coatings—DLC (diamond like carbon)—has [...]
When we talk about the moldmaking industry, we’re addressing a very large spectrum of applications. The high-volume automotive market aside, we can examine the lower-volume, highly precise molds for medical components, molds for the food and beverage industry, cosmetics and more. […]
Generally, plastic parts can be taken out of the mold cavity by only one ejection, yet due to their special forms, it is still difficult to take out the parts from cavity or the parts can not fall off freely from the mold upon the completion of an ejection movement. […]
Consider machine tool capability, intended milling techniques, programming, workholding and toolholding during your cutting tool selection process. […]
More than ever moldmakers are pressed to push the envelope on what is feasible and reasonable when it comes to accurately creating complex profiles. Companies today are heavily vested in each new product they bring to market. And good is not good enough. Manufacturing specs are often riddled with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances) [...]
We all know that simulation technology delivers benefits but, as with most technology, we don’t typically take full advantage of it. Simulation has a lot to offer to mold manufacturing. It’s a matter of recognizing the problems that it can help solve. […]
Regular cleaning and proper maintenance are key to sustaining the life of a mold. If preventative maintenance procedures are consistently and correctly performed, they lower the cost of ownership and increase production quality: a win-win scenario for the manufacturer and the customer. […]
A look at non-destructive cleaning processes for complex molds that require the removal of tenacious surface contamination to ensure surface quality and longevity of precision mold and molded part surfaces. […]
a most-commonly-used ejector unit only play the role as ejecting tools. Sometimes, mandrils can also partake in the molding of plastic parts according to the needs thereof. Such mandrils can then be made into the same shape as certain part of the plastic parts or just as core. […]