A Big-Picture View of Micromachining
Matrix Tooling makes injection molds for components that have features you cannot see.
Redefining Plastics Manufacturing
When this company was solely an injection molder, job quantities had to be large. Now, with additive manufacturing, any quantity is right. The company's role and its range of customers have both expanded.
Conformal Cooling: Another Tool in the Toolbox to Build a Better Mold
Moldmakers are just starting to scratch the surface of what can be done with conformal cooling, which involves an additive approach.
How Micromachining Patience Speeds Prototype Production
A molder of tiny, silicone components for the medical industry explains how a patient, conservative approach to micromachining enables it to deliver prototypes faster.
Micromachining Powder Metal on a VMC
By refining its micromachining process for powder metal tool steels, this shop has reduced production costs, lead times and secondary bench work for complex tooling components.
How Cameras Improve Capacity
Web cameras provide an inexpensive way to bring remote processes together, and to improve timing and confidence in unattended machining.
The Case for Software-as-a-Service ERP
The owner of a die manufacturing business describes why he prefers to subscribe to ERP software rather than buying it.
Software/Tooling Partnership Promises Easier HSM
High-efficiency parameters are calculated automatically—partly using a slider that lets the programmer set the level of aggressiveness.
Find Your Speed Outside of Machining
This short-lead-time mold shop achieves its most significant time savings by looking outside the machining cycle. However, one of those elements outside the cycle—palletized setup—ultimately led to cycle time savings via five-axis machining.
How to Overcome an Acc/Dec Limitation in High Speed Machining
A small pocket in a graphite workpiece limits productivity. Part of the expert’s response is to consider how a lower feed rate might actually be more productive—because the machine will spend more time at the programmed rate.
