A common challenge faced by moldmakers is to produce acceptable parts with minimum cycle time. As cooling time accounts for most of the cycle time, reducing the cooling time of a part will considerably reduce the cycle time. However, reducing the cooling time also may result in problems, such as excessive part warpage, high part [...]
The goal of tool engagement controlled milling is to achieve the highest possible productivity. This requires gaining complete control of the cutting environment in order to cut optimally everywhere along the toolpath. To cut optimally means to create chips with the optimal geometry for the particular tool being used and the particular material being cut. [...]
All the time spent tweaking and re-tweaking the CAM program is a hidden cost, typically absorbed into general shop overhead where it cannot be accurately accounted for. In addition, the out-of-spec parts created during the tweaking process lead to costly scrap and rework. […]
The types of users most likely to benefit from FBM programming strategies fall into a number of categories. Within each category, the advantages users are likely to obtain are also varied. […]
Feature-Based Machining(FBM) is an automated programming function that eliminates manual data entry by reading in the copious design intent information that is embedded in solid models by CAD programs. […]
Perhaps one of the more interesting markets we’ve seen in moldmaking in recent years is applying North American quality to overseas molds. In other words, shops are finding that making poorly made molds work properly, even having to re-machine features or whole molds, is an area of growth potential. […]
Among shops that suffer from techno-phobia, many jump into EDM work believing, “I just have to have the machine, and my guys can change these electrodes in and out.” This mindset usually results in a lot of downtime for machines. […]
Next generation controls are specifically designed for mold and die machining and feature dual processors separately dedicated to the interface and motion control functions of the machine. Among many basic advantages to owners, program memory in these controls is user upgradeable. […]
One way to improve the success of molds being transferred is to offer sampling/tryout capabilities to your customers. Once you accept a tool transfer, make sure you perform an initial tool inspection with the OEM and the new molder to go over initial condition of tool upon arrival from previous molder. […]
Robotics in machine tending can cut costs dramatically by allowing skilled labor to focus on imperative production tasks. In automated machine tending the robot loads and unloads parts from the CNC machine. Using standard part holding fixtures simplifies the production setup as the robot always handles the fixture instead of the actual part. [...]