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moldmakingtechnology.com 45 This intricately designed carbon mold for a coin measures just 1.5 inches in diameter and was created using end mills as small as 0.010 inch in diameter. students the opportunity to improve upon existing technology. For example, the injection molding machines they used in Gig Harbor featured temperature controllers that worked much like thermostat knobs. Hutchinson and his crew ordered a pro- portional–integral–derivative (PID) controller, built a thermo- couple and installed it on their unit, adding a pressure-relief valve that retracts after the machine finishes its operation. "Because they had experience through the ME 311 course, the students were able to really push the boundaries of what students had been able to do with machine work in the past," Hutchinson says, offering up their proficiency in creating projected tool paths as an example. One student FOR MORE INFORMATION CNC Software Inc. / 800-228-2877 mcinfo@mastercam.com mastercam.com Washington State University School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Robert "Kurt" Hutchinson kurth@wsu.edu / mme.wsu.edu Projects like this encourage students to think imagina- tively and explore their own creativity and practical skills, Hutchinson says. WSU's Cougar Shop provides sophisticated software and high-tech machinery, as well as the opportunity to investigate the possibilities through project-based learn- ing. No matter where each of them ends up after graduation, Hutchinson and the program strive to ensure that they are well-prepared for careers in manufacturing. in the ME 475 class wanted to make a grip for the handle of his father's Colt 45 handgun. Using the Haas Minimill with 1/4 and 1/8-inch ballnose end mills, he machined a pocket, engraved the knurl- ing in it and, using Mastercam, pro- jected the tool path of a cougar image inside the 3D part. He also "checkered" the surface of the tool path, adding some detail to the mold with a carbide engraving cutter. Metal 3D Printer OPM250L Create Your Future Best New Products Award Winner High-Power Laser Sintering Fully Integrated Milling Conformal Cooling Channels Dedicated CAM System Sodick's high-power fiber laser achieves a 99.9% melting ratio for superior density. OPM integrates high speed milling and 3D printing, yielding a finish not possible with existing 3D printers. Produce 3D cooling channels, cutting cycle times and reducing deformation during molding. Sodick's innovative Z-Asso CAM system is specifically designed for the unique challenges of integrated printing and milling. Sodick's first Metal 3D Printer, the OPM250L, is the first to achieve full integration of laser sintering and high speed milling within the same work space. By integrating laser sintering with high-speed milling, the OPM250L machines throughout the printing process, improving accuracy in mold cavities and cores to produce finished parts without the need for extensive finishing processes. Introduction of additive manufacturing also enables users to produce conformal cooling channels, significantly reducing mold cycle and cooling times. To learn how the OPM can revolutionize your business, email sales@sodick.com www.sodick.com