Design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) is a term often used, but its true meaning and value may have been lost. DFMA is a set of core values combined with a systematic approach for reducing design complexity and cost. These core values include optimizing all areas of the manufacturing process: fabrication, assembly, test, procurement, shipping, [...]
The closer integration of the two technologies offers obvious advantages to smaller manufacturers of simpler parts, where the product designer will often also be the machine tool programmer. Having a common interface for the CAD and CAM software makes learning the two programs easier, while automatic updating of the toolpaths if the design changes will [...]
It is somewhat ironic that software companies are promoting closer integration when an increasing number of toolmakers are separating design and manufacture by putting responsibility for CAM onto the shop floor. This approach gives a number of potential advantages. […]
A new approach involving integrating flow simulation software with CAD/CAM software will be discussed in this article. We will show how CAD/CAM/CAE integration reduces the time and effort in running a flow simulation . Flow simulation software products have had limited modeling capabilities and no machining capabilities. […]
Traditional techniques for making a mold require several time-consuming steps that can reduce how flexible and diversified a company can be. If the moldmaking process could be accelerated, moldmakers could build more tools for different products or variations of products in a fraction of the time. In these tough economic times, diversification can mean the [...]
For many organizations, one of the most difficult aspects of implementing new cleaning technology is justifying the purchase—particularly in difficult economic times. Cleaning by hand is inexpensive as scouring pads and cleaning solutions are cheap and companies can frequently hire minimum-wage laborers to do the work. In some cases, the prevalent attitude may be “We [...]
Non-contact 3-D laser scanning captures everything on the surface of the objects, including free-form shapes and fine details. The technology works by projecting a line of laser light onto a surface while cameras continuously triangulate the changing distance and profile of the laser line as it sweeps along. The laser line passes back and forth [...]
Industrial robotic automation is a manufacturing solution that becomes more mainstream each year. Robots can work 24 hours a day, seven days a week in dangerous and undesirable areas for human employees or in lights-out facilities. The idea of adopting robotics for industrial applications seems to have obvious value and is more common than most [...]
In order to be ultra-competitive in this difficult economy, another arrow in the quiver of toolmakers is high-performance copper, which can be employed instead of traditional all-steel tools. The use of high performance copper alloys in mold cores and cavities gives significant advantages over tool steels and aluminum alloys. […]
Two main factors should be considered when scanning molds: size and accuracy. […]