MMT ARTICLE ARCHIVE
Feature Articles
Choosing CAD Software For 3-D Mold Design
The world of CAD offers many alternatives to shops that want to use the latest 3-D technology for their mold design. This article looks at the benefits of the various approaches and offers some tips on choosing the most appropriate one.
Economic Growth Slows; Expectations Positive 41.7 Total Mold Business Index for February 2008Overall economic growth in the U.S. is sputtering so far this year, and this is constraining demand for new molds in the first quarter of 2008
High-Tech Design Strategy Clinches OEM BusinessDurakon upgrades tooling and process capabilities to win growing share of original equipment market.
Speed Mold Verification and Improve Global CooperationTechnology solution that combines model-based inspection software and portable inspection devices to improve mold verification.
Just Let’r LeakHow a typical 20-press, West Coast molding facility investigated the downtime impact of water leaks in their plant. Always looking for an edge, and a way to reduce costs, they put together a year-end defect costs summary to use as a guide in the toolroom, so they could aggressively pursue their goal of reducing unscheduled mold stops.
Starting with a Clear Road MapI am second generation in the moldmaking industry. My father was a moldmaker and I became a mold designer. I started as a design apprentice in the early 70s
Integrated and Automated Knowledge-Based CAM for Better ProductivityA look at a solution for two major problems affecting manufacturing profitability today: (1) the shortage of knowledgeable, experienced engineers and (2) the incompatibilities of CAD/CAM data exchange.
Will You Be Competitive?Last month, I asked in this column, “Are You Competitive?” I covered issues that you can use to measure if you are really competitive in the markets you serve, and if your business appears competitive to your customers and prospects— today. That column was intended to help focus on survival and near-term growth strategies. Among the questions I suggested you ask yourselves was, “Who Are Your Customers?”
How to Evaluate Hot Runner NozzlessThe way to choose the right hot runner nozzle is to evaluate the entire molding system first.
Strategic Challenges of the Past DecadeWhat have been the most significant challenges for the Society of Plastics Engineers, Mold Making & Mold Design Division membership in the past decade? The answer—while not all that surprising—remains a constant that the industry has experienced throughout the history of the market segment.
Ice Blasting MoldsCleaning technology using powerful streams of dry ice pellets now reaches a wider range of businesses, including the small to mid-size mold shop.
Technology for Improving Five-Axis CapabilityWith five-axis in place, it’s time to look at the advantages of investing in new software technology to improve processes, new approaches to part setup and the factors to consider before your purchase.
System Reduces Cure Times and Balances Fill RatesTwo separate technologies work together to first create a homogenous compound temperature exiting the injection molding unit and properly balance the filling of a mold, with the lowest possible cure times while increasing part quality.
CAD Interoperability and Model Repair for Additive FabricationWith so many different customers and suppliers, you should maintain a number of different CAD systems to try and stay as “native” as possible when it comes to exchanging part geometry electronic information.
Staying StrongAs a result of the challenging times the moldmaking industry has faced during the past 10 years, network-ing has become a means to staying strong. Establishing and maintaining relationships with people in your industry is key to survival and growth.
Case Study
Staying Competitive Using Mold Flow Analysis
The pressure on the supply chain is unrelenting for all things faster, better and cheaper. For moldmakers, getting molds built right the first time is critical to meeting these increasing demands. But how?
VMC for Real-World Moldmaking and MillingSmall moldmaker chooses VMC with unique features—counterbalanced head, box ways, machine design, 3-D accuracy, changeover, control and toolchanger—to improve operations.
Tip of the Month
How to Design High Cavitation Tooling
Today's sophisticated dispensing closure tooling represents a significant capital investment and requires skillful selection of a mold supplier. This tooling is highly complex and requires a higher level of precision due to multiple product design functional requirements. Living hinges, linerless bottle plug seals, product shipping seals, dispensing orifices, internal or external threads, and mating component fits have a great impact on how the tool is designed.
From The Editor
Top 10 List
What technologies were instrumental in changing mold manufacturing in the past 10 years?
Profile
Dynamic Tool & Design, Inc.: Automatically Inclined
By fully integrating automation into its process, this shop services its customers from part design to sampling—and everything in between.
ISSUE
April 2008
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