Published 8/8/2017

Technology Showcase: More Case Studies for Moldmaking

This week’s Tech Showcase brings yet more case studies featuring the practical application of products for moldmaking.

Edited by: MMT Editorial Team

Laser scanning provides new inspection options and a faster alternative to CMM for this engineering and mold manufacturing company. Read all about it in MMT’s case study article titled “From Bottleneck to Project Accelerator.”

Higher spindle speed and sufficient CNC look-ahead improve efficiency, tool life and surface finish in the manufacture of foam injection molds. Check out our case study, “VMC Enables Faster, Smoother Cutting.”

This toolroom made significant strides in reducing waste and improving workflow with the addition of just one piece of equipment: a mobile, flexible laser welding system. Find out more by reading “Laser-Focused on Lean.”

A recent roughing application shattered this moldmaker’s expectations about the stability of a large face mill in long-reach contouring operations. Learn more by reading our case study, “Cutter Sets New Standard for Heavy Hogging.”

An automated asset management system that tracks usage and calibration schedules for measurement tools helps cut costs and improve customer service. Find out more by reading, “Taking Control of Measurement Tool Inventory.”

Exacting, interchangeable base plates help this shop start projects quickly and without distractions. Learn about these “Euro-style” mold bases by reading, “A Common Foundation for Speedy Mold Builds.”

Two weeks ago, I featured a few case studies that were originally published in MMT in 2015. As I said then, technologies may evolve but overall, hearing about how other shops are using various products to their advantage can be very helpful to those in need of objective feedback. So here we go with a slideshow and links to the balance of case study features from 2015.

In my previous Tech Showcase, case study topics focused on productionized machining, CAM software as it applies to prototype tooling, using machine-side systems for temperature and flow-rate monitoring to speed mold tryouts, enhanced machining precision, the benefits of laser welding systems, and cutting-tool technology that advanced feed rates. In this Tech Showcase, you’ll learn about:

A mold shop’s use of laser scanning to accelerate inspection and reduce mold errors
How a Doosan DNM 500 II made this moldmaker more competitive
How one shop reduced waste and improved workflow using a mobile, flexible laser welding system
One shop’s amazement at how fast metal-removal rates were using a certain face mill for heavy hogging (bonus video!)
A system for tracking the usage and calibration of measurement tools helped a moldmaker achieve ISO certification and cut costs
This shop’s preference for “Euro-style” mold bases.

As always, we welcome ideas for case study features from both supplier companies and mold manufacturers alike. It’s very valuable to provide evidence of a product’s efficacy that is based on the practical use of it. Email me with your ideas!