Disposable inserts with a 1/64- to 1/32-inch nose radius are most effectively employed for turning graphite. A positive rake insert without a chip control groove is preferred. Cutting fluids and/or coolants are not recommended. Adequate and well-maintained fixturing, rigid tool setup and well-adjusted machine tools always provide superior results. When machining long rods and cylinders, [...]
There does not seem to be a clear and reasonable distinction between moldmaking and mold repair. Applicants for in-house mold repair shops are quizzed about their moldmaking experience with the obligatory “Do you have any experience doing repair work?” question tagged on. […]
In many industries, surface texture has become an important aspect of product design. It not only provides the means to refine the physical appearance of an item, […]
The process of surface finishing requires a variety of tools, materials, and most importantly, highly specialized skills. It is an art that takes years of experience to perfect, but some basic principles and techniques can provide a good start. This article will examine the three major processes necessary to produce a highly polished, lustrous metal [...]
If moldmaking and mold repair are indeed two separate entities the question becomes “What are the specific skill sets required for a mold repair technician?” Unfortunately the answer may be largely influenced by the specific repair environment. That is to say, if the in-house toolroom is fully equipped, the level of repairs may be quite [...]
In this series we will be discussing executive decision-making and how to improve the process, including things like decision speed, reliability, prioritization and risk reduction. The process and principles we will cover work extremely well for high level/executive decision makers, product development teams and sales/marketing managers. These same principles of truly understanding the needs of [...]
In the early days of the CAD/CAM industry, customers were supplied a completely-integrated system for design and manufacture from a single developer. More recently, stand-alone design systems have become popular. […]
Machining hardened stock isn’t for the faint of heart, but many alert shops have figured out how. In fact, some are running steels up to Rc 60 four or five times faster—even in cavity work. Others have even found a way to mill the hard stuff on light-duty machines using conventional end milling, [...]
According to Steven, President of First-rate mold Solution company, key elements of a business continuity plan should include: […]
Mistakes have always been around: the world is flat and the sun revolves around the earth— to name a few. The world of manufacturing is no different with its own false beliefs. Today we have the mistakes that aluminum tooling is “junk tooling or for prototypes only”. […]