Published 10/24/2017

Technology Tuesday: Cover Shots

Cruise through this slideshow to see some of the companies and technologies that have graced the cover of MoldMaking Technology magazine in 2016 and 2017.

Edited by: MMT Editorial Team

Cover image courtesy of MC Machinery Systems Inc./ Mitsubishi EDM. The cover of MMT from September 2016 shows an EA12PS sinker EDM from MC Machinery Systems using a high-grade graphite electrode to cut an H13 mold insert. Read the related feature on justifying an EDM upgrade.

Cover image courtesy of Fairway Injection Molds. The MMT cover from October 2017 shows a 32-cavity mold for a pump sprayer top, which is currently being molded and assembled in Mexico. The mold features an eight-drop Ewikon HPS III-MH, 90-degree side hot-tip system for injecting the resin. This enables tight pitch and high-quality gates on the side of the parts with no cold runner waste. The mold also has slides and a spout pin that create the flow channel. The mold is ejected using ejector sleeves. Read the related feature on mold building trends in Mexico.

Cover image courtesy of GF Machining Solutions. The MMT cover from March 2016 shows an electrode that benefited from an ISPG + iGAP generator function, which allows certain sinker EDMs to vary the sparks between the fronts and sides of electrodes, as opposed to using the same spark the whole way through a burn. This is said to significantly reduce the risk of part surface damage, especially in applications where cavity undersizes are tight. According to the company, the 100-percent-digital generator technology not only keeps electrode wear in check, but also optimizes cutting speeds. It applies the electrical current only when and where necessary to eliminate lateral sparking that historically creates disturbances on the sides of mold cavities. Read the related feature on EDM generator technology.

Cover image courtesy of Husky Injection Molding Systems. The MMT cover from April 2017 shows a two-material hot runner with Ultra 750 and Ultra 500 valve gates for a complex automotive application. Husky’s new Ultra Helix valve gates are designed for excellent gate quality and long life providing the lowest cost of ownership. Read the related feature on high performance polymer molding.

Cover image courtesy of Iscar Metals Inc. The MMT cover from February 2016 shows a mold base finishing application using the new evolution of Iscar’s Chatterfree solid carbide end mill, a cutting tool designed for high-speed roughing milling and finishing operations. High speed (trochoidal) rough milling is a programming technique applying a small radial width of cut, and high cutting speed and feed per tooth. This is a go-to technique for applications where a lack of rigidity exists and vibration becomes problematic. This multi-flute end mill incorporates variable pitch/helix geometry to increase productivity in material types commonly used for moldmaking, such as alloyed steel, stainless steel and high-temperature alloys. Read the related feature on rough milling.

Cover image courtesy of Böhler Uddeholm Corp. The MMT cover from May 2017 shows a still-glowing, newly solidified electroslag remelted (ESR) ingot being transported within one of Böhler’s state-of-the-art tool steel mills. The ESR process helps remove undesirable elements which may lead to the formation of non-metallic inclusions. These brittle particles within the mold steel’s matrix will degrade polishability and act as initiation sites for cracking. Therefore, this additional refining procedure helps increase toughness and overall mold steel performance. Further processing will include re-heating the ingot and mechanically working it by means of forging and/or rolling to further homogenize the material and bring it to its final dimension. Read the related article on defining mold steel toughness.

Cover image courtesy of Rego-Fix. The MMT cover from October 2016 shows the powRgrip high-precision toolholding systems from Rego-Fix, which provide a runout “sweet spot” of only 3 microns, allow mold shops to not only boost speeds and feeds/metal removal rates, but also increase tool life. Read the related feature on high precision.

Cover image courtesy of PMI Industries LLC. The MMT cover from February 2017 shows a mold producing parts for an HVAC system assembly. The mold’s features are very angular, with complicated geometry and tolerances, including tight-tolerance shut-offs and special mold “timing” features to mold the parts and release them only after the slide actions retract. This ensures the parts eject without damage, while meeting aggressive cycle times. The mold demonstrates PMI Industries’ ability to design and build complicated tooling, a capability they feel will be essential as the company diversifies from serving mainly automotive to now also building molds for medical devices. Read the related feature on growth through diversification.

Have you ever wondered how to get your company or technology on the cover of MoldMaking Technology magazine? Our features investigate trending technology, processes, products or equipment, or they look at a shop’s successful strategies or worthwhile investments. Our coverage images often draw from those pieces. This week’s Technology Tuesday slideshow gives you a sample of some of the covers we have had over the past two years, with links to the cover shots’ corresponding articles in the captions.

MoldMaking Technology magazine has long been the magazine that is by the industry and for the industry. The magazine gives moldmaking professionals an opportunity to educate, share wisdom and promote their shops or companies. If you are interested in being a bigger part of MoldMaking Technology, be sure to check out Editorial Director Christina Fuges’s November 2017 editor’s note. She breaks down the coverage opportunities that are available to get your brain moving on how you and your company might get more involved. If you are already brimming with ideas, or if you have questions about the participation process, reach out to us on the Contact page. Cheers!