“It’s great to have high-speed machining equipment when you are ready to afford it,” says Steven, president of first-rate mold company, “but in the meantime, moldmakers should know there are steps that can be taken to get there.” Steven describes his equipment as “universal” – it must be able to tap, drill, rough and finish. [...]
This component refers to the programmers and their available options. Clearly, the software (CAD/CAM) available to the user dictates many of the programming variables from which they can choose. While an excellent software package will create various avenues to machining a part, […]
To be in a good position to efficiently and economically address future milling application demands, manufacturers are well served by investing in machines that can easily expand as your business grows. […]
The rubber, plastics and wood panel industries work with heated tooling when material is pressed directly between hot platens. If a platen or heated tool is mounted to the press head, press table or beam without a layer of protective insulation, […]
Today’s popular CAD systems share a common technical foundation in the way solid (and surface quilt) models are internally described and represented. Of course, the specifics differ from one system to another, which gives rise to the very challenges that face interoperability. Modern modeling systems define a 3-D object by its topology and geometry. [...]
Thermal Load StabilityOxidizing decay of organic components in thermal insulation boards increases with rising temperatures. Continuous thermal load is defined by the temperature at which the application of a particular grade can be technically and economically justified, so that the lifetime will extend to several years. […]
Heater SelectionSelecting the right heater for a molding application is critical to the success of any operation. The most common heating elements specified for use in molds are cartridge, tubular and strip heaters. […]
Over the years, heating systems for hot runner systems have changed as much as hot runners themselves have. The word “hot runner” itself explains the process and keeping the runner hot is a simple idea. […]
Software has become a fact of life in American manufacturing. CAD/CAM requirements differ among companies, so it’s not surprising that many find it necessary to customize their systems to meet their particular needs. […]
Manufacturers continuously strive to develop better mousetraps for their production needs. For Bell Labs, this isn’t just a figure of speech – it’s literal. The Madison, WI, company has been supplying rodent traps to the professional pest control market for more than 25 years. Bell Labs’ two latest `better’ mousetraps are the result of a [...]