Zone: CAM for Die/Mold

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When to Mill Keeps Changing
2/8/2010 Modern Machine Shop: Technology improvements steadily expand the range of tool and die parts that justify high speed machining.
Optimized Tool Paths Save Time, Boost Profits
9/14/2009 Modern Machine Shop: Faced with inefficient roughing operations on its stamping dies, foundry patterns and other aerospace industry tooling, this manufacturer sought to upgrade its CAM software. The Esprit CAM package from DP Technology helped reduce programming and cycle time by enough to generate a substantial increase in profits.
CAM System Simplifies Tire Mold Programming
8/25/2008 Modern Machine Shop: PROBLEM: Segmented tire molds required complex, time-consuming programming SOLUTION: HyperMill CAD software from Open Mind RESULTS: Improved delivery time, part quality Chris Sipe, owner of Northeast Tire Molds in Akron, Ohio, likens machining tire molds to evolutionary theory—while some firms go out on a
Mold Maker Cuts Delivery Times With CAD/CAM
8/25/2008 Modern Machine Shop: Staying competitive in the automotive industry requires quick turnaround, a fact not lost on this manufacturer of foundry tooling. Upgrading to a CAD/CAM system from Delcam helped the shop significantly increase machining efficiency and reduce delivery times.
Operation Library Slashes EDM Electrode Cycle Time
8/20/2008 Modern Machine Shop: EDM sinker electrodes have complex geometries and must be manufactured to high precision, creating a challenge for CNC programmers. Additionally, because electrodes are produced in small lots, it is important to keep programming time short. The EDM Department, a provider of EDM tooling and contract manufacturing, o

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Overview Of:
CAM for Die/Mold

CAM software for die/mold machining has to respond to the complex 3D milled geometries typical of die and mold tooling. In addition to milling the shape correctly, the CAM software also has to pick a pattern of tool paths that can achieve the required surface finish. These tool paths are far too numerous and too mathematically complex to be written by a programmer, so CAM software is essential for generating them automatically. The programmer ensures that the underlying CAD model is correct and complete, then chooses basic parameters such as cutting tools and the preferred patterns and parameters of machining, to let the CAM software author the program. The CAM software also is likely to account for such important die/mold machining practices as high speed machining, most likely doing this by adapting the direction changes in the tool paths so that the tool does not see any sharp turns but instead changes direction gradually. This minimizes impacts to the tool, workpiece or machine while the tool feeds rapidly and efficiently across the part.