Advertising in MoldMaking Technology offers
Issue link: https://mmt.epubxp.com/i/877607
Profile 12 MoldMaking Technology —— OCTOBER 2017 Profile the original maximum mold temperature, which eliminated the knit lines. Ever since, that customer has fully committed to the technology and is having multiple power supplies/control- lers and induction coils built. Another recent project involved a chrome-plated PC/ABS plastic part that had a cosmetic imperfection that a customer wanted to remove. It was pos- sible to solve the problem through conventional process devel- opment, but the conventional method affected other aspects of part quality and performance. Materials that are typically injection-molded for chrome plating have internal stresses as a result of the injection molding fill process, gating and flow patterns. Mold builders routinely examine these materials after molding by performing a test called glacial acid etching, which demonstrates those stresses and the tightness of the part's structure. Studies show that when the part has signifi- cant stress, it is typically more difficult to plate the part with chrome and then maintain that plating on the part throughout its lifetime. However, through past experiments and testing, our team noted that momentarily increasing temperatures on the mold's A-side surface could lead to improved flow, a higher temperature flow front and the complete melding of materi- als as it wraps around part obstructions like logos and core buttons. Using advanced magnetic induction technology and state-of-the-art injection molding machines, we could elimi- nate the cosmetic flaw without compromising other features of the part. Additionally, because of improved flexibility and a larger processing window, we achieved shorter cycle times, differential stress reduction and improved chrome and paint adhesion on the part. Another advantage of this technology is lower press clamp tonnage requirements because of improved material flow. What other technologies should moldmakers be keeping an eye out for and why? SA Engineering: Anything variotherm, which is hot-cold technology that resolves cosmetic issues, improves part fin- ish. On light-weighting technologies like MuCell, variotherm makes that technology viable on Class A parts, which would not be possible without it. Can you describe a common request that customers have for SA that may represent an opportunity for mold builders? (For example, you mention Tier 1s wanting the entire process from one supplier, so moldmakers can offer that turnkey solution—including end of arm tooling, etc.—by working with SA.) SA Engineering: Tier 1s and OEMs do not want to manage any entirely new technology and its integration with other technologies. They want the Tier 2 molders and moldmakers to offer the complete turnkey solution. The reasoning behind that is that resources in personnel and advanced technology are very difficult to obtain. www.grievecorp.com 847-546-8225 OVENS AND FURNACES FOR EVERY INDUSTRY One little click...one BIG website! Large-Capacity Box Furnaces Temps to 2200ºF/ 1204ºC 4-96 cu. ft. capacity G as & Electric models Lightweight ceramic fiber insulation Heavy-duty ceramic hearth plate Temps to 2200ºF/ 1204ºC 4-96 cu. ft. capacity G as & Electric models Lightweight ceramic fiber insulation Heavy-duty ceramic hearth plate Large-Capacity Box Furnaces