To maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace, many of today’s American mold-makers are differentiating their EDM capabilities by embracing micromoldmaking. Because of the complex, precise nature of the parts produced, those willing to adopt the technologies necessary to reliably produce micromolds open the doors to serve a growing segment of the market. [...]
When looking to purchase a machine tool for your shop, it is vital to choose a machine tool supplier that designs, engineers and builds its own components. That way you are ensured of optimum performance at greater accuracies. And—if something should go wrong—your supplier can quickly get to the root of the problem since they [...]
Cutting speed and surface finish are frequently the topic of discussion on shop floors of hundreds of mold shops. There’s a relentless quest for reducing machining time per mold, achieved by faster feedrates and traverse rates. Of equal concern is assur-ance that optimum surface finishes are being produced by the machining process with little or [...]
The two major enemies of the spindle are: (1) heat and (2) contaminants (namely, chips and coolant invading the bearing system). Find out what design features are included (or available as options) that protect the spindle. Historically, the most common cause of spindle failure has been bearing failure due to contamination from coolant ingress, condensation, [...]
Dealing with the sheer size and weight of a large mold can be a big challenge. This often leads to excessive labor, the need for special equipment, multiple setups and potential inaccuracies. […]
As with any significant investment, the first step in the purchase and implementation of a five-axis machine should be a thorough evaluation of its potential impact on current needs. A manufacturer producing simple parts with lax surface finish specifications will have significantly different requirements than one working with complex geometries and high surface finish requirements. [...]
Begin machine evaluations with the thought that not all machine specifications are the same. Some manufacturers use JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), others ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and some German VDI guidelines. […]
A clear definition is needed to uniquely identify the best in class shops in a highly competitive market. Because the market spans over a very broad range of industries, it’s rather important not to limit the definition to one in particular, but instead expand the definition to three unique precision types. […]
Moldmakers use balanced toolholders to get the most out of their high-speed machining centers, but how do you guarantee your toolholders are properly balanced? […]
Today’s vises range in configuration from relatively simple single-station models to very elaborate multiple-station designs. Most vises consist of a mounting base or body that is secured to the machine table, a stationary jaw against which part material to be machined is located, a movable jaw and screw mechanism. […]