Tooling
NPE 2003 News Wrap-Up: Hot Runners
From complete hot halves to individual nozzles, a host of new products promise smaller gate vestiges, less maintenance, better temperature control, and lower cost.
Read MoreComputer Flow Analysis Helps Develop New Profile Dies Faster
Computational fluid dy namics (CFD), or flow analysis, is routinely applied to dies for cast or blown film.
Read MoreNew Molding & Tooling Technologies In the Pipeline at Germany's IKV
Software that helps you select the right rapid-tooling method for your application, fresh approaches to multi-component injection molding, and new techniques for LSR foaming and micro-molding are some of the top projects being investigated at the Institute fur Kunststoffverarbeitung (Institute for Plastics Processing) or IKV in Aachen, Germany.
Read MoreTandem Tools: New Twist on Stack Molds for Larger Parts
Two new tooling concepts adapt the idea of stack molds to producing larger parts that can be of dissimilar shape, size, color, or material.
Read MoreAvoid Common Mold Set-Up Mistakes
Every molding machine has to shut down periodically for a mold set-up.
Read MoreMagnetic Platens Catch On for Giant Presses
Molders are overcoming their doubts and choosing magnetic clamping systems for quick mold changes. What's really new is the growing use of magnetic platens on high-tonnage presses.
Read MoreNew Runner-Design Concept Boosts Quality & Productivity
Why 'naturally balanced' multi-cavity molds sometimes refuse to fill evenly is a mystery that eluded solution—until now. A simple concept called the MeltFlipper allows molders to increase cavitation and maximize output of quality parts.
Read MoreSequential Gating & Gas Assist Team Up for the First Time
Two fast-growing injection molding techniques—valve-gate sequencing and gas-assist technology—have come together in one application for what is said to be the first time. The part that united the two technologies was a 14 x 30 in. x 120-130 mil computer panel being converted to plastic from metal by Hewlett-Packard Co. in Roseville, Calif. It posed a number of process problems that were best solved by combining the two procedures.
Read MoreNew Software Makes 3D CAD Easier To Learn, Use and Afford
You can now can leapfrog the previous obstacles of cost, complexity, and a long learning curve.
Read MoreKeep Machines Running in Top Form With New Software ‘Wizards'
Help has arrived for overworked plant managers, process technicians, and maintenance personnel. It comes in the form of three new Windows-based "Smart Manufacturing" software modules from Hunkar Laboratories, Inc. in Cincinnati. Hunkar's Smart Manufacturing philosophy is based on the principle of pre-emptive problem solving, which translates into "Fix it before it's broke."
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