by David Bank, Aluminum Injection Mold Co., Dave Klafhen, Advent Tool, Ron Smierciak, Alcoa Forged and Cast Products There have been numerous articles published regarding the cycle time advantage aluminum molds have over steel when configured with the same gate, part geometry and cooling channels, but there is little specific information available to demonstrate why this … [Read more...] about Why Plastic Flows Better in Aluminum Injection Molds
Molds/Tooling
Water Leaks Lead to Unscheduled Mold Downtime
by Steve Johnson, ToolingDocs LLC As most mold maintenance audits reveal, both internal and external water leaks continue to be the front running causes of unscheduled mold downtime. Pitting – the simple act of electrons from one steel component migrating to another – wastes thousands of company dollars per year through excessive repair hours, additional tooling costs, press … [Read more...] about Water Leaks Lead to Unscheduled Mold Downtime
Plastic Components, Inc.’s Tool Crib System
Plastics Business With more than 200 tools, Plastic Components, Inc. (PCI), Germantown, WI, needed a more efficient way to organize its tooling. Implementation of the Stak System by Stanley Storage Systems, purchased through Birkeneder Material Handling, LLC, has made PCI's tooling easily accessible, saving both time and space. "We used to have several heavy duty die racks … [Read more...] about Plastic Components, Inc.’s Tool Crib System
Evaluating Your Mold Maintenance Direction
by Steve Johnson, ToolingDocs "How do we compare?" This question has been long posed by companies that feel like their mold maintenance process could be improved, but weren't sure if the effort would be worth the time and trouble. However, with the recent economic melt-down came a change of perspective, and mold repair - long shunned as an expensive cost center for a … [Read more...] about Evaluating Your Mold Maintenance Direction
Tool Transfer Q&A
by Mike Juda and Jerry Gorrell, Polymer Conversions, Inc. Polymer Conversions, Inc. is a custom injection molder located in Orchard Park, N.Y. In operation for more than thirty years, Polymer built much of its early business by redesigning and rebuilding molds that had been transferred from other plastics processors. Availing itself of the opportunity to prove its engineering … [Read more...] about Tool Transfer Q&A