Industry Zones

Die/Mold Machining

OVERVIEW: Die/Mold Machining primarily refers to the machining of complex 3D forms. Stamping dies, forming dies, forging dies, injection molds and blow molds are all examples of tooling that might have complex shapes precisely mirroring or matching the intended shape of some final, mass-produced part. Complex fixtures and composites layup tools are also examples of milled parts that might have a similar complex 3D shape. High speed machining is an important topic for die/mold machining, because of the need to take light milling passes productively in order to realize both the required geometry and the required surface finish. Hard milling is another important issue, because many molds and dies are milled in their hardened state, to prevent heat treating from affecting the geometry. In addition to milling, EDM is another machining technology used to produce dies and molds. For certain machined features and for certain hard workpieces, the more efficient way to produce the 3D form may be to mill that shape into a ram or sinker EDM electrode, then use that electrode to machine the shape into the final die or mold tooling. Hole making is another class of machining operations relative to die/mold machining. Dies and molds are assemblies that often consist of plates and other components with various holes for cooling, venting, ejection and other necessary functions of the tooling. Producing an injection mold, for example, can involve considerable drilling, tapping and helical milling of various holes in order to produce the needed components.

Manufacturing Videos

Video: Five-Axis Machining at Chicago Mold Engineering

Video: Remote Machine Monitoring

Featured Zone Content

January 2007

Complex three-shot, three-color automotive tail light cavity

For Mold Shops, Machining To Zero Means There Is Nothing To Hold Them Back

By: Modern Machine Shop
Advanced machining technology enables mold shops to produce cores and cavities without leaving extra stock. Following this trend of “machining to zero” will help make mold production more competitive....MORE

February 2009

Video: Understanding The Role Of L:D Ratio In Micromachining

By:
When milling with tiny tools, changing the length-to-diameter ratio can significantly change the cutting parameters it is possible to achieve....MORE

April 2009

MFG.com: Marketplace For Manufacturing

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(Sponsored content) An MMS InMotion presentation along with a collection of user profiles all describe how machine shops are winning new business using this online resource....MORE

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Redefining Plastics Manufacturing

By: Peter Zelinski
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. ...MORE

January 2012

Conformal Cooling: Another Tool in the Toolbox to Build a Better Mold

By: Christina M. Fuges
Moldmakers are just starting to scratch the surface of what can be done with conformal cooling, which involves an additive approach. ...MORE

November 2011

Video: Five-Axis Machining at Chicago Mold Engineering

By: Todd Schuett
This mold maker describes its use of both tilting-spindle and tilting-table five-axis machines. ...MORE

October 2011

How Micromachining Patience Speeds Prototype Production

By: Derek Korn
A molder of tiny, silicone components for the medical industry explains how a patient, conservative approach to micromachining enables it to deliver prototypes faster. ...MORE

September 2011

Cell Controller Boosts Production Flexibility

By: Modern Machine Shop
By serving as the “brains” of a cell consisting of two machining centers and a work delivery system, cell control software from Erowa helps this manufacturer run lights-out 24/7 and achieve 90-percent spindle utilization. ...MORE

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