It is no secret that diversification is an essential strategy to today’s mold manufacturers—especially those with heavy involvement in the automotive industry. As a result, automotive mold manufacturers may want to consider branching out into the aerospace market—for tooling, […]
Thermoforming has benefited from applications of engineering technology, although the basic forming process is very similar to what was invented many years ago. Microprocessor and computer controls on more modern machinery allows for greatly increased process control and repeatability of same-job setups from one production run to the next, usually with the ability to save [...]
There are two general thermoforming process categories. Sheet thickness less than 1.5 mm (0.060 inches) is usually delivered to the thermoforming machine from rolls or from a sheet extruder. […]
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. The sheet, or “film” when referring to thinner gauges and certain material types, is heated in an oven to a high-enough temperature that it [...]
There are 10 inherent benefits that a good shrink fit chuck can offer a mold shop:1. Unsurpassed accuracyA properly produced shrink fit chuck should be able to guarantee 0.00012″ (3 microns) maximum run-out at three times the cutting tool diameter. This accuracy is very repeatable from operator to operator. […]
When looking for toolholder solutions for any type of machining, it is always good to first focus on three main features that a toolholder must bring you: […]
Even knowing what we now know, there are still reservations on the subject of balancing. With the correct balancing machine and practice-oriented software, balancing is quick and easy to do. The operator puts the holder in the machine and selects the suitable requirements in the menu. From then on the machine tells him what to [...]
These vibrations are not only harmful to the spindle and the cutting tool, they impair process reliability and are transferred to the machining results. They create chatter marks that have to be removed by additional fine machining or handwork. […]
There is an overriding misconception in the manufacturing universe that only manufacturers who perform high-speed cutting benefit from balancing their tools before putting them to work. The fact is anyone who cuts anything on a machine tool stands to benefit from the improved productivity and process reliability, and increased tool and spindle life that result [...]
Face milling, especially high volume, with the High-Feed Milling method is perfect for creating a good platform for further machining operations or a final finishing. In most HFM applications, you’ll often get such close tolerances that only final finishing is needed. […]