MMT Blog

CNC Programmer/Operator Jason Henderson at the control of a Fidia GTF 35 five-axis machining center.

Integrity Tool & Mold has over 257,000 square feet and more than 100 spindles in three locations: Oldcastle (Ontario, Canada), Pulaski (Tennessee, United States) and Querétaro (Mexico).

The Matsuura Lumex Avance-25 metal laser sintering hybrid milling machine is a powder bed metal additive manufacturing (AM) platform with subtractive machining capability.

Read about Matsuura’s Lumex Avance-25 metal laser sintering hybrid milling machine.

The Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors (MAPP) will conduct research that will result in industry reports available at MAPP online.

Read about MAPP’s reports.

Users can easily manage revisions and print or directly email quotes from ToolQuote by JDL Technical Services with detailed costs and a tool sketch with customer press layouts.

Read about ToolQuote from JDL Technical Services.

Tri-Gemini LLC says its updated online catalog is now faster and easier to use when looking up its large variety of in-stock graphite and copper or tungsten electrode sizes.

Read about Tri-Gemini’s updated catalog.

INCOE Corp. says its GSC2mini is ideal for valve-gated applications that do not require sensors or linear transducer control.

Read about INCOE’s GSC2mini.

Ameritech Die & Mold is ISO9001:2008 & AS9100C certified supporting its growing business of aerospace, space and defense precision machined components.

Read more about Ameritech Die & Mold’s approach.

Haimer USA introduces its newest line of end mills, the Basic Mill, at Amerimold 2018. Basic Mill solid carbide end mills are created with H6 shank tolerances using geometries with an unequal flute and helix design that reduces vibration while machining.

Read about Haimer’s end mill, the Basic Mill.

Hot runner manufacturer Incoe Corporation targets multi-cavity applications with its new Slim-Flo nozzle concept presented at NPE2018. 

A major element of Incoe’s Slim-Flo concept is the new SBH heater. Applied at the Slim DF 5 nozzle, its outer diameter is reduced by almost 25 percent for better thermal control.

Michael Wittmann of Wittmann Battenfeld explains that the Euromap 77 standard has just been released, and in progress are Euromap 82, for data exchange between injection molding machines and temperature control devices, and Euromap 79 for data exchange between molding machines and robots. For cross-manufacturer communication, Euromap 77 is the first OPC UA interface for plastics and rubber machinery which connects injection molding machines to MES. Companies like Krauss-Maffei GmbH, Arburg, Engel and Wittmann Battenfeld were among the presenters of this press tour at NPE2018. 

At NPE2018, Bruce Catoen, Milacron CTO explains how DME's TruCool technology, which uses 3D metal printing to produce cores with conformal cooling channels, in conjunction with Mold-Masters' Dura+ hot runner system, engineered for automotive lens molding, can improve cycle times.

Industry 4.0 is MPowered at Milacron and the SmartMold, a metal box that attaches to a tool equipped with cavity sensors. The box contains software to extract and communicate data from those sensors via web server and OPC-UA server.

At the RJG Inc. booth at NPE2018, visitors viewed the next level of process control to improve cycle time and machine utilization. The CoPilot helps to bridge the skills gap through real-time notifications, step-by-step walkthroughs, automatic part diversion and more.

It was a full house during the 3D Printing Workshop hosted by Plastics Technology and Additive Manufacturing Media during NPE2018. With 288 registered attendees, the inaugural event was a great success and feedback from guests included adjectives like “compelling” and “informative.” Image courtesy of NPE2018.

Husky's PET 144-cavity mold typically produces an 8.5 g preform. This mold is capable of running a 5.5-second cycle time with an approximate annual output of 750,000,000 preforms: The self-cleaning technology adds about 400 additional hours of uptime a year. 

Klaus Weider at the PCS Company booth at NPE2018 explains how the company's ProLifter, a three dimensional ball lifter for molds, works. It allows free movement in multiple directions, is self-aligning and runs with very low friction.

Mitutoyo America Corporation displayed a line of coordinate measuring machines, vision measuring systems, hardness testers, form measuring equipment, precision measuring tools and more in its booth at NPE2018. This LH-600E system offers advanced performance for reliable and easy 2-D measurement and features accuracy of (1.1+0.6L/600) μm with 0.1μm/0.5μm resolution/repeatability. Perpendicularity of 5μm and straightness of 4μm are guaranteed. The pneumatic full/semi-floating system allows the LH-600E to easily be maneuvered around heavy parts. Basic statistical functions are provided and the RS-232C / USB data output provides the option of evaluating measurement data externally with SPC software on a PC.

Mold Base Industries featured its line of custom mold bases, mold plates and self-lubricating components and demoed some products using an acrylic mold. The hottest news for MBI, however, was that three weeks prior to NPE2018 the company became an employee-owned enterprise because its founders retired but wanted the company to continue. All things point to this being a great move, according to a spokesman for MBI, and the company of 58 owners is moving to new heights.

George De Fortuny of mold components supplier CUMSA (right) demonstrates the company’s Smart Vacuumjet 60L, which is able to create the vacuum (60L/min) and blow-off (6bar) through the same channel, allowing for optimal material fill. While the unit was first introduced last month at Chinaplas, CUMSA waited to unveil it in the USA during NPE2018.

Alliance Specialties and Laser Sales filled its booth at NPE2018 with laser welding and engraving technologies to suit almost any moldmaker’s applications. From tabletop systems to mobile units to large, stationary machines. A highlight was its new MobileFlexx ToolRoom, a solution to customers’ requests for a comprehensive, mobile laser welding system that leaves nothing out of reach of the operator. 

Instead of custom machining and fitting mold inserts into master unit dies, moldmakers may want to try Agathon Machine Tools’ new Mini Fine Centering component, which acts as the connector between the mold inserts and MUD using a plug-in. Mold insert pockets no longer have to be precision machined; instead the pocket side walls are cut and roughed in and the Mini Fine Centering component does the rest. It also allows faster and easier changeovers and requires little space. 

Math for Molders provides foundational math skills practice to prepare molders for process development, troubleshooting, and machine testing that are involved in more advanced RJG courses. This online eLearning course allows students to complete each module at their own pace, including the replaying of sections they may struggle with, and takes an average of 9-10 hours to complete. There are eight units in the course with multiple interactive modules in each that include videos, animations, and practice activities. Utilizing real scenarios, molders will be more prepared to calculate data, enabling them to match mold requirements with appropriate machines and avoid common defects while preventing mold and machine damage.

RJG’s TZERO® engineering service helps world-class companies reduce the cost and time wasted on adjustments late in product launch. Our unique TZERO^® approach provides a framework for collaboration between engineering and manufacturing in review of part design and simulating, educating, optimizing, and assessing the mold development process to avoid molding uncertainties. Through injection molding simulation analysis using Moldex3D, Sigmasoft®, and Autodesk® Moldflow® Insight software, our team can evaluate all aspects to identify potential molding defects that can lead to high scrap rates, poor quality of molded or assembled products, and excessive cycle time. Not only do we take into account the requirements of the OEM and mold design, but we also consider the machine capability at the molder.

CoolingCare is an automatic device for cleaning, diagnostics and maintenance of mold cooling channels. Features and functions include: automatic work –  operators are only required to connect the mold and define the channels to be cleaned; a unique design allowing for independent and efficient cleaning of channels regardless of their length and diameter; advanced archiving system supporting the correct mold maintenance throughout the whole mold operation time; high pulsation dynamics of cleaning allows for use of less aggressive cleaning media, safe for steel, aluminum, copper and bronze; intelligent monitoring of the cleaning process – the device recognizes when the desired flow rate values are reached and finishes cleaning before the appointed time; a dedicated cleaning mode for clogged cooling lines; built-in detection of flow rate anomalies; diagnostics function enabling the user to define and store the model of flow parameters for a given channel – such data can serve as a reference point for the subsequent cleaning; and different cleaning programs, combined with full data archiving capability assigned to a particular mold, allow to keep track of proceeding system changes.

The new CVe Monitor tracks mold activity allowing users to view the data on the display or from comprehensive reports, including mold temperature. It also has a 16 GB flash drive for file storage. CVe Live has on-demand reporting and real time monitoring of tools.

This image shows two different plastic parts, both printer ink cartridges. Both were run at the same cycle time and temperature, however the one at right was cooled using traditional methods and has a noticeable distortion while the other part has no distortion and was produced via a Sodick Model OPM250L: 2 cavities, 20.0 gram (total 40.0 gram), POM-KEPITAL F20-520LOF material, conformal-cooled mold.

Makino highlighted its D200Z-graphite 5XC vertical machining center with a 30,000-rpm spindle. 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.

This Makino EDNC6 sinker EDM machine is part of a automated  cell. The EDNC6 machine provides similar high performance as the EDAF-Series, but with larger X/Y/Z strokes and larger work tank. The standard configuration EDNC6 utilizes a three-sided programmable rise-and-fall work tank that positions below the table level and accommodates work piece sizes up to 39” x 29” (1,000mm x 750mm). The EDNC6 is also available in a wide tank version that supports larger-sized parts up to 55” x 35” (1,400mm x 900mm) and utilizes a programmable rise-and-fall front door. All EDNC6 machines permit excellent access to the work zone and stationary worktable for faster workpiece setups and process monitoring, and incorporate the dielectric reservoir into the base casting to improve thermal stability and minimize floor space requirements.
 

Successful applications of ICS Laser laser texturing and engraving include code encryption onto the ends of ejector pins, molding surfaces, inserts & quick interchangeable inserts.