MMT ARTICLE ARCHIVE
Feature Articles
Advanced Toolpaths Improve Cutter Performance in Difficult Materials
Trochoidal toolpaths are available on most CAD/CAM systems, yet are rarely used or even known. By using trochoidal toolpaths and hybrid trochoidal toolpaths you can successfully machine exotic materials.
Analysis of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) Industry Worldwide, Part IAfter more than two decades of research, development and use, the additive manufacturing industry continues to expand with the introduction of new technologies, methods and applications. Additive processes have had a tremendous impact on design and manufacturing, and this impact will continue to grow in the coming years.
Optimizing Aluminum ToolsPlating aluminum molds for longer production life.
Tooling Transfer: Sampling SuccessFifteen steps to facilitate a smooth tool transfer between the OEM, new molder and your shop.
Hydraulic Fluid Reduces Energy Consumption by Eight PercentAn energy-efficient hydraulic fluid has been developed for use with CNC machines that features low-deposit forming tendencies, provides equipment protection and can extend oil maintenance intervals.
3-D Laser Scanning Opens the Door to Inspection And Reverse Engineering for MoldmakersNext-generation scanning technology precisely captures large and small molds.
Overall Equipment EffectivenessGemba is a Japanese Term, and literally means gathering of the people/actual place
Expose Yourself!We have enjoyed additional customer inquiries based on the awards.
It’s a Small World in the Electronics MarketAs electronics devices continue to shrink in size, an opportunity arises to enter the world of micro moldmaking to expand your business
To Rail or Not to RailOne of the most interesting parts of performing a maintenance capability assessment (MCA) in mold plants around the globe is observing the different styles practiced when repair technicians work on molds. When talking to repair techs about why they like a particular method or tool it is easy to see why they would think there is only one way to do things. It’s simply how they were taught by the older, tenured repair technicians.
Supply Chain Risk, Volatility Offer OpportunityAs I write this, reports are circulating about the U.S. economy showing signs of rebounding. But until unemployment begins to rise with any significance and housing foreclosures slow down, I’m skeptical. Without demand, there’s no supply. But as precarious as things are—and as far as U.S. manufacturing has suffered during and before this Great Recession—opportunities do still exist for machining businesses in the U.S.
Case Study
CAD/CAM Package Improves Speed, Accuracy And Design Time for Complex Molds
This blow mold manufacturer finds a software package that is able to work with complex curves and surfaces quickly and efficiently.
Tip of the Month
Simple Automation Helps Offset Economic Downturn for Moldmaking Applications
Reducing costs and achieving greater productivity within an existing mold manufacturing facility, while improving customer service, are all essential to softening the impact of these uncertain economic times. It’s a difficult challenge, but one that can be successfully met by initiating simple automation. Simple automation is the installation and integration of automated storage and retrieval systems— such as vertical and horizontal carousels and vertical lift modules (VLMs)—into mold manufacturing operations.
Mold Business Index
Industry Has Turned Corner
56.5 Total Mold Business Index for August 2009 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.
Profile
LaGrow Consulting: Championing for Coalitions
This one-woman consulting firm has made it her mission to help moldmakers establish coalitions.
ISSUE
October 2009
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