Published 7/3/2019

Amerimold 2019: Machining for Moldmaking, Part 1

Amerimold attendees saw many different types of machining centers, all posessing features for advancing the moldmaking process. Here are a few highlights.

amerimold

Cynthia Kustush

Contributing Writer

A solid block of material? Hard to tell in a photo, we know, but also hard to tell in person. At Amerimold, Jingdiao North America featured many test workpieces like this one, demonstrating the capabilities of its “precision high-performance, high-speed machining centers (in this case, the five-axis GRA200), which are the sole providers of ‘0.1μ Feeding & 1μ Cutting’ to perform micro-milling, grinding, high-gloss polishing, 14:1 ratio deep slotting, 10:1 ratio micro-hole drilling.” Click to the next image to see what they mean.

It is hard to debate that there is a parting line there after all, separating the core and cavity of the test piece. Jingdiao says samples like this have a clearance of 3 microns.

Makino featured the D200Z as well as its new F5 Pro6 vertical machining center, which it says is designed for speed and precision, providing stiffness and rigidity for chatter-free cutting and agility for high-speed/hard milling tight-tolerance blends and matches typical of complex, 3D contoured geometry associated with die/mold and medical production.

Visitors to the Makino booth viewed various workpiece samples, including this comparison of electrodes milled on a Makino D200Z five-axis vertical mill versus using three-axis machining. One does not have to look very closely to see the difference.

Unisig featured its new USC-1.5M, USC-2M and USC-3M universal milling and indexable gundrilling machining centers. Equipped with both milling and drilling spindles (shown here), the dedicated spindle type USC-M machines provide gundrilling, BTA drilling and machining. This selection of five- to seven-axis machines allows moldmakers to not only acquire the exact machine capabilities for their production requirements but also gain a system that improves overall part machining performance.

The Hermle C 22 is capable of short process cycles, quick workflows and the highest possible machine dynamics, making it ideal for machining high-value parts with excellent accuracy and tight tolerances. Additionally, the C 22 can be equipped with automation technology including the Hermle PW 150 Pallet Changer, the new RS 05-2 Robot System, the HS Flex Handling System.

Amada Machine Tool’s Techster TS-52, one of a series of grinders offered, brings versatility to shops that see a lot of complex grinding projects in materials like steel, carbide and ceramics. The machines, which can be run in manual or CNC mode, come equipped with dressing and continuous path grinding technology and can be used for surface and profile grinding. This machine features Amada’s original conversational programming software.

Moldmakers looking to see what is new in high-precision machining technology had an array of machine tools to choose from, with many models being demoed on the Amerimold show floor. Large and small, for milling, drilling, grinding and more, the trends between companies showed an emphasis on the ability to complete jobs ultra fast and ultra precisely, just as most moldmakers require. Multitasking machines were also in the house, showing a lot of versatility, and there were space-saving options, too.

Today’s slideshow provides some highlights, with a second slideshow following on Friday.