Published 12/27/2018

The Most Viewed Products of 2018

MoldMaking Technology wraps up the year by showcasing the most-viewed products of 2018.

Cynthia Kustush

Contributing Writer

Recently, a Baker Industries original equipment manufacturer customer was seeking a creative solution to reduce the weight of a traditionally machined aluminum mill fixture. By 3D printing the mill fixture using ABS thermoplastic material instead of machining it from aluminum, Baker Industries was able to reduce the tool’s weight by 70 percent. Find out more here.

At IMTS 2018, Matsuura USA introduced its new MX-330 five-axis vertical machining center with 10 pallets and 90 tools, as well as its new MX-520 five-axis vertical machining center with four pallets and 90 tools (pictured here). More details on these and other featured products can be found here.

PowerMill 2019 from Autodesk offers three- and five-axis programming tools to help manufacture complex parts with new additive and subtractive technology. Autodesk says that introducing enhanced three-axis, high-efficiency roughing and new five-axis collision avoidance tools will generate more efficient tool paths with fewer tool retractions, shorter cycle times and increased tool life. Learn more here.

Makino says that the V90S is designed for high-speed finishing of multifaceted, 3D contours and that it cuts cycle times and reduces handwork in complex dies and molds. Find out more here.

Uddeholm announced its launch of Corrax additive manufacturing powder, a product designed for the additive manufacturing of tooling components. The company says that Corrax enables the creation of confirmal cooling channels to reduce cycle times. Read more here.

The clamping elements of Erowa’s CleverClamp system are specifically tailored to the manufacturing of one-off and small-batch parts. The company says that they are simple to handle and serve a wide variety of applications while decreasing set-up times, increasing machining times and improving productivity. Read more.

Makino advocates the 5XC technique for die and mold component manufacturing by showing large cycle time savings, improvement in surface quality and reduced cutting tool costs with this method. Makino says that the 5XC process simplifies the milling cutter selection and eliminates the number of milling tools required to complete a part. Find out how it works here.

Cold Jet showcased its i3 MicroClean cleaning method during dry ice cleaning demonstrations at Amerimold 2018. The non-abrasive cleaning method helps facilities clean molds in-place at operating temperatures. Read more.

EDM Network and Chmer EDM introduce their newest model linear motor drive, the HM4030L dust-free, graphite, high-speed mill at Amerimold 2018. The mill features a three-axis linear motor drive that uses a Siemens 828D CNC control and drives and Chmer EDM linear motors. Learn more.

OSG USA’s A Brand represents a new evolution in cutting tool technology. OSG USA says that the A Brand is a tooling brand that is composed of OSG’s latest high-performance threading, drilling and milling innovations. Read more.

Unisig’s USC and USC-M Series machines combine deep-hole drilling and milling capabilities, which the company says enable mold shops to reduce setup time, increase accuracy and eliminate mold design restrictions. Find out more.

Makino introduced its D200Z-graphite 5XC vertical machining center with a 30,000-rpm spindle in booth S34188 at NPE2018. The graphite mill is integrated within an automated cell using a Makino EDNC6 sinker EDM machine and an EROWA ERC80 robot. The robot shuttles electrodes and work pieces between the two machines, using EROWA’s JMS Pro automation cell control software. This cell showcases the latest advancements in automation and productivity.

Zimmerman’s FZU five-axis gantry milling machine is a lightweight option for prototype, tool and moldmaking. The machine is particularly suitable for machining aluminum and casting resins like Ureol. The FZU is distinct from other Zimmerman machines like the FZ33 in that the FZU is a compact, preassembled machine that Zimmerman assembles in-house and then transports to the customer so that setup and startup require minimal effort. Find out more here.

Progressive Components introduces its new v12 catalog. New product advantages include a variety of standard mold base components to complement its existing line, new cooling products that are readily machined and reach throughout cores previously not feasible, expanded through-hardened pins for large automotive and appliance tools, advancements in mold maintenance and monitoring technology and new alignment lock configurations. Learn more.

Makino's compact D200Z machining center has 30,000-rpm, HSK-E50 spindle that is designed with a high-tech spindle core and jacket cooling system to tightly control thermal growth, deflection and vibration during high-speed machining operations. Read more.