Published 6/19/2017

Learning About Machines and Systems Up Close

Amerimold 2017 had many new and different activities for attendees this year, including demos and presentations about machines and systems to help moldmakers optimize their processes and get higher-quality results.

Cynthia Kustush

Contributing Writer

Takumi's Mark Gilmore offers tips on five key features to consider when buying a CNC machine, including what's "under the hood" - The sheet metal construction - and how machine design affects key aspects of a machine's performance.

AST Technology demonstrated the benefits of having the ability to monitor one's molds from anywhere in the world, in real time, using the company's CVe Monitor, OnDemand software and CVe Live mold monitoring platform. Combining these capabilities with the use of AST's System Cooling provides not only a snapshot of mold productivity but also cooling efficiency.

Amerimold attendees looking to learn more about how to incorporate Industry 4.0 connectivity in their shops were able to view a demonstration of available machines and systems in the Wittmann Battenfeld booth.

Toyoda Americas Corp. put a spotlight on its partnership with YG-1 cutting tools during its demonstration of the Toyoda Stealth 965 Boxway VMC. Together, the products gave Amerimold attendees a view of new machines and tools that can take on today's hardened tool and die materials.

Takumi was the first to present during the show, with its informative “Five must-have features for your next CNC machine.” Mark Gilmore, who is in technical sales support for the company, focused mainly on what’s “under the hood” of the CNC machine, and how those features, such as rigidity, stability, accuracy and speed, affect the things moldmakers care about most: a part’s surface finish, accuracy, repeatability and cycle time. Then there’s also technical support. He offered the company’s H Series machine tools as an example because they feature single-piece column construction versus bridge-style plus roller-type rails on all axes for greater rigidity, plus generous travels (27 inches, for example, on its 40-inch H10 model). Close proximity of spindle-to-bridge casting, which reduces overhang and thermal deviation, nanometer precision to five decimals and hand-scraped assembly process plus factory-installed Fanuc control rounded out the line’s features.

Sujit Sheth, monitoring and maintenance manager for AST Technology, led the next demonstration, which centered around an advanced protocol for monitoring mold performance as well as establishing a proactive mold maintenance system. By using the CVe Monitor platform, which includes CVe Monitor, OnDemand software and CVe Live tracking mold activity and performance in real time, together with AST’s System Cooling to monitor water flow and temperatures inside the mold, companies can drive better mold performance and profitability. Read more about System Cooling in a recent issue of MMT.

On day two of Amerimold, David Preusse, President of Wittmann Battenfeld Inc., took visitors through several stations of the Wittmann Battenfeld workcell to demonstrate the technologies and how they are all connected through one central machine controller, which allows for fast, simple control of the entire molding process. Preusse showcased the company’s robotic automation, its injection molding machine technology as well as auxiliary equipment that together provides an integrated solution for customers looking to implement or advance their Industry 4.0 operations.

Finally, Amerimold attendees gathered at the Toyoda Americas Corp. booth to see the latest developments in the company’s machines designed for die and mold tooling. Demos provided a look at how machines handled the roughing and finishing of hardened materials. Specifically, Toyoda featured its Stealth 965 Boxway VMC, which features a 12k spindle, a Meehanite cast-iron base and hand-scraped, heavy-duty box guideways for stability and rigidity. YG-1 cutting tools for dies and molds were also featured as part of the machining demo.