A mold with a good EDM finish is ready to use right out of the machine (tank-to-part technology), while a mold that needs to be etched or polished to get the desired finish requires extra steps that increase cost and extend production time. […]
Graphite is a highly abrasive material, and tends to wear out cutters quickly. One of the greatest difficulties encountered when machining graphite is that cutter wear can reach unacceptable levels within the time required to machine a single, multi-featured electrode. As such, advanced tool coatings offer a significant benefit when producing graphite components. [...]
The advantages of laser engraving are described below: […]
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. […]
Most information for turning graphite applies to milling with inserted cutters. Disposable inserts with a 1/64″ or 1/32″ nose radius are most effectively employed for milling graphite. A positive rake insert is recommended. Cutting fluids and/or coolants are not recommended. Adequate and well-maintained fixturing, rigid tool set-up and well-adjusted machine tools always provide superior results. [...]
The same general practices of machine tool maintenance, fixturing and rigidity of tool setup recommended for turning apply equally well for milling. Short tool extensions and properly adjusted machine tools are essential to good performance. […]
There are many degrees of electrode fabrication,and a moldmaker’s first step is to decide what level of participation he or she wants to have. He poses the following questions: […]
There are many benefits to moving your manufacturing to Asia, but before making a decision that could significantly affect your company’s bottom line, consider some of the factors that need close monitoring in order to avoid potential problems: the difference in communication and culture; the shipment of finished molds and parts as well as actual [...]
A clear advantage a U.S. mold builder has is the ability to ‘service what you sell’. Consider the differences between a U.S. mold builder who produces 50 tools per year to an overseas manufacturer who produces 500 tools per year. Each is vying for a role with a tooling engineer for a 10-mold program. The [...]
Contrary to some perceptions, U.S. mold builders still have a lot going for them. Granted, the going has gotten tougher over the past 10 years, but it’s not as though a shop owner is stuck owning a buggy whip store in an automotive era. There are many areas in which to compete and serve mold [...]