MMT ARTICLE ARCHIVE

Feature Articles

Tooling Transfer: Chaos or Calculated Opportunity?

Today there is significant pressure on OEMs and Tiered suppliers to transfer existing tooling to safer ground. This has presented prepared moldmakers with great opportunity.

If You’re Not Meaningfully Unique, You’d Better Be Cheap

These are the words of Doug Hall (www.doughall.com), founder of Eureka! Ranch and P&G brand-building wunderkind. It is also the mantra for the U.S. government’s latest initiative to lead manufacturing in this country into the new century. The goal of the new administration’s plan is to help transition discrete manufacturing companies—small and midsized manufacturers (SMMs)—from the “old” economic model (based on commodity and price) to a “new” economic model based on innovation, technology and “green.”

Optimize Machine Performance with Proper Filtration

There are multiple factors to consider when it comes to operating a wire EDM and filter quality should be one of them. Proper filtration can save EDM users money and time relating to production and maintenance. Buying low-cost filters may seem like an easy place to cut costs, but the truth is, it can be a costly mistake.

Giving Back

These are tough times in our country and in the industry; however, as I look back, it’s clearly evident that the industry has been very good to many of us.

Changeable Mold Base Offers Flexibility, Productivity While Reducing Tooling Costs

A mold base has been designed that provides faster production changeovers.

The Many Dimensions of Feature-Based Machining

Simple does not mean minimal. FBM is a powerful tool that can save many different types of users’ time and money. Here’s why.

Niche Automotive Molds Prove to Be a Profit Center for Cavalier Tool

Capitalizing on its specialty of molds for fans and shrouds in the automotive industry—on their own terms with no PPAP—drives this moldmaker’s success.

Can Moldmakers Use Robotics Automation?

The pressures in today’s economic climate leave many companies struggling to find ways to contain manufacturing costs. One overlooked strategy applies to robotics automation.

Case Study

Cutting Tool Slashes Cycle Times by 75 Percent

This moldmaker reduces cycle times from 10 hours to two hours with a more durable, faster cutter that also leaves a nice finish.

Tip of the Month

Post-Processor Pointers

In addition to the development of CAD/CAM software, it is important not to forget the importance of post-processors, which manage numerically controlled machines. Without the right post-processor the best CAD/CAM software is of no use; likewise, the most sophisticated machine will not function optimally without the right post-processor.

Mold Business Index

Business Activity: Worst Is Over

47.5 Total Mold Business Index for July 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

Elite Mold & Engineering: Team Elite

Being both a moldmaker and a molder allows Elite Mold to be a one-stop team for its customers and the MoldMaking Technology 2009 Leadtime Leader Honorable Mention Award: Small Shop.

ISSUE

September 2009

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