Published 7/5/2019

Amerimold 2019: Machining for Moldmaking, Part 2

More highlights from Amerimold with a focus on machining for moldmaking.

amerimold

Cynthia Kustush

Contributing Writer

Zimmermann treated Amerimold attendees with a bird’s eye view of its FZ40c Compact portal milling machine, which is shown here in a scale model. The company says it is designed for the machining of hard materials like titanium, hardened steels and Invar, as well as aluminum. With its solid cast base, it does not require a foundation and can be set up on any solid shop floors.

Cheto Corporation SA promoted its IXN3000 CNC deep-hole drilling with milling machine, emphasizing its all-in-one concept to optimize deep hole drilling, standard drilling and milling. New this year is the addition of an ATC gundrill for up to five tools up to seven axes.

Heidenhain displayed the TNC 640 high-performance mill-turn control that is popular with moldmakers thanks to its workshop-oriented operational design and its functions for moldmakers. The TNC 640 is particularly well suited for milling-turning, HSC and five-axis machining on machines with up to 18 axes. Features of particular interest to moldmakers include the TNC 640’s Dynamic Precision options which improve mold surface quality and precision specifically on 3D. Also, of importance is its Dynamic Efficiency features which allow the machining center to automatically optimize speeds, and feeds cutting speeds in variable workpiece thicknesses.

Promac North America Corp., the Italy-based manufacturer of CNC machines, displayed this model of its Sharav GVT Five-Axis Gantry milling machine at Amerimold. It features a Heidenhain ITNC 640 control and a fixed table. The machine is designed for tapping, milling, drilling and deep drilling processes. Kinematic movements are positioned overhead to ensure maximum precision and performance.

EDM technology was represented at Amerimold by Sodick, which featured its AG Series sinker EDM machines. A signature feature of Sodick EDM machines is their linear motor technology which offer high speed and low electrode wear. They are high accuracy machines that produce fine finishes using Spark Machining. The AG Series is user-friendly and requires no flushing.