Advertising in MoldMaking Technology offers
Issue link: https://mmt.epubxp.com/i/917019
moldmakingtechnology.com 31 less on experienced hand polishers, and they eliminate the risks from overworking surfaces. Justifying its use on larger surfaces, such as door panels and dashboards, is easy, but even fine details and radii are effectively pol- ished using the smallest 1-millimeter diameter striker. Occasionally, certain spaces like deep ribs or similar features on grill molds, for example, may restrict striker access because they are difficult to reach. Those areas may still require hand work. However, even in those cases, combining the auto- mated system with hand polishing will save time. Automated hammer peening offers process control, decreased processing time, and reduced or eliminated man- ual polishing and overwork defects. These benefits are possible because the surface geometries are maintained with proprietary CAM software that controls the CNC machine for peening operations on 3D geometries, ensur- ing predictable and repeatable results. Code is generated from parasolid files for the workpiece. The software rec- ognizes special features, such as sharp corners and pin holes, keeping them safe from damage. Impact force and frequency parameters are also regu- lated during set up. The entire peening process is automated, design data is preserved, and finished results meet simulation predictions every time. A single workpiece setup for mill- ing and peening can save substantial processing time. Moldmakers can com- plete finish-milling operations 50 per- cent faster when peening follows, and they can substantially reduce or elimi- nate manual polishing. For example, a hardened P20 or H13 steel mold that is finish-milled using a 6-millimeter ball mill at a feed rate of 6 meters per minute with a 0.1-millimeter pitch distance and then peened for polishing using a 6-millimeter striker at a feed rate of 6 meters per minute and the same 0.1-millimeter pitch distance will produce a perfectly smooth, finished surface. The combined time and cost savings could be up to 100 hours or more of man- or machine-based labor, depending on the job. FOR MORE INFORMATION Accurapuls Canada Inc. / 780-445-0920 / accurapuls-canada.com thomas@accurapuls-canada.combrian@accurapuls-canada.com CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Pickhardt is president and technical director, and Brian Guild is vice president and communications director of Accurapuls Canada Inc.