With rapid tooling (RT) technologies emerging and the increasing demands put on toolmakers, the issues of if and when to use RT are becoming critical topics in the manufacturing community. The world of conventional toolmaking is faced with an increasing list of problems, the first being increased competition – local and foreign. Customers also are [...]
Recently I was in a meeting with a customer who had been hit hard by the past recession, and they were struggling to find their bearings. Business was sluggish, the banks were not supportive, and employee morale was at an all-time low. Their last major project had been a bust, and so they called a [...]
There are mold shops in china. that are growing and thriving. When faced with the problems every shop has, it is hard to imagine how anyone can overcome the many realities of our market today, let alone thrive and succeed. […]
These all meet the dictionary definition of “optimization”. However, one of the fastest ways for a moldmaker to achieve a dramatic improvement in efficiency and reduce NC program cycle time is to automatically optimize their NC program feedrates. […]
NC verification and simulation software has been available to manufacturers for more than 20 years, yet most NC programmers do not take full advantage of the benefits it can offer. However, some resourceful companies have discovered that simulation software can be used to benefit their shop in ways that others overlook—and in ways that may [...]
Some CAM vendors refer to optimized software as the software best suited for the types of machines, processes or parts being programmed. […]
At its inception, rapid tooling was the ability to generate core and cavity inserts as a product of a rapid prototyping technology. Rapid tooling was the result of an additive process driven by 3-D CAD – a process that requires little or no machining or EDMing. For some, rapid tooling continues to be described in [...]
Everyone intuitively understands that milling machines, holders and tools are difficult to scale down to the microscopic dimensions and extreme accuracy needed for micro-milling. At first glance, software might seem to be an easier fit. […]
In order to achieve the quality and accuracy required in micro-milling while meeting economic constraints, the entire manufacturing chain must be optimized and synchronized. Vendors of CNC machines, cutting tools, holders, clamping tools and quality control equipment are all required to provide the right solution at a competitive cost. […]
Over the years, and more times than can probably be counted, customers call from all over to order various surface treatments for their molds, without knowing what is truly needed to make their molds run better and more efficiently. It’s surprising how many customers are talked down on services because it’s not good business to [...]