Competitive technology
Every segment of manufacturing faces unique challenges. Tool and die makers, however, seem to endure an outsized number of challenges.
Operation / Process
Tool & Die / Moldmaking
Making the glass mold
U.S. moldmaking has been hit hard by overseas competition. Makers of molds for glass products face added pressure because alternate materials—mostly plastics—are replacing many glass applications. Quality Mould Inc., one of a handful of independent glass mold shops remaining in the U.S., machines molds for pressed-glass products. The shop combines traditional craftsmanship with CNC machining and CAM technology that set its products apart from those of overseas competitors. Quality Mould is also leveraging its longtime skills to diversify its customer base.
Lights on
Quality Mould Inc., a maker of molds for glass products such as lamps and headlights, thrives by leveraging its skills and using advanced technology.
Top Tools
There are five tool tips for moldmakers for speeding up production and aiding in highly repeatable, precision machining. Included are deep-hole drills to avoid pecking, high-feed cutters, tools for reducing EDMing, high-precision cutters and PCBN cutting tools.
Molding’s Dark Side
Keys to lights-out production of molds. Today's moldmakers can apply equipment, processes and strategies that let them turn on the machine, turn off the lights and go home.
The ‘Hard’ Way
Die and mold shop carves a niche by focusing on contour and hard milling.
Into the Light
Tool and die shop continues to expand and add advanced technology to prepare for the road ahead.
Breaking the Mold
U.S. moldmakers must adopt new business strategies to remain competitive.
Capitalizing on Opportunities
Forward-looking moldmaking shops are taking on tool repair as one way to survive the onslaught of foreign competition.
Cutting into MIM
Metal injection molding is growing--and so is the need for tooling.
Hard Lessons
A mold and die shop shares the lessons it has learned about hard milling.
Cut to the Finish
A series of short Articles on the subject of minimizing or eliminating manual mold polishing.