| Mould tool die machining programs |
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To machine mould tool dies accurately and efficiently it is essential that the programmer is familiar with toolmaking concepts It is not enough just to know how to cut
steel! Here are some areas that the programmer needs to have a good knowledge of: Moulding area - The programmer needs to be aware of the areas of the die that will form the cavity for the material. Different strategies may be required if the cavity form is to be polished to reduce machining marks and save polishing time. Also material may need to be left in the cavity area if the component finish is sparked. Visible and non-visible parts of the moulding - It is useful if the programmer knows which areas of the mould will produce visible areas on the mould. Then the machining parameters can be adjusted to save machining time on non-visible areas and produce a finer finish on visible areas. Shut-off faces
- Extra care must be taken when machining shut-offs (especially drop
shut-offs and slide entries) to select cutters and strategies
that ensure correct sizes are maintained. Too much material removed
here can be disastrous. Split lines - Edges where the moulding form ends and the split face starts must be absolutely crisp and sharp if split lines and flash are to be kept to a minimum. It is essential not to allow cutters to roll over these edges. So special strategies must be employed to cut these areas. Hardening - If the die is to be hardened after roughing, then the programmer needs to judge whether the die will distort in the hardening process and allow for this in the roughing parameters. Anyone who creates programs for die machining at Alphatech has also worked in a toolmaking environment. This way we can ensure that all die programs take into consideration all of the necessary factors. Before outputting the die data to our machining software we make sure that moulding area and shut-offs are colour coded to make it easier for the programmer to identify. Setting sheets All Alphatech programs come with automatically created setting and data sheets clearly showing you where the datums are, what parameters have been used and what cutters to load. Click here to find out more. |
| Hardened steel dies |
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Machining dies in their hardened
state can save money by cutting down on grinding and sparking
operations.
High speed milling machines are not essential for machining hardened steel. Almost any conventional CNC machine with the right tooling and programs can successfully machine hardened die plates. Although the machining programs have to created very carefully, cost savings from the reduction of the quantity of electrodes needed can be great. Don't forget that for every electrode that is not needed you save four stages of work:
If you are not yet machining your hardened die plates click here to find out how we can help you start saving time and money
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3D Machining |
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2D Machining |
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4 & 5 Axis Machining |
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High speed Machining |
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EDM Electrode machining |
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Die machining |
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Program Verification |
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Contact Us |
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There are good reasons why you can expect a fast, efficient and cost effective electrode programming service from Alphatech Our unique method of controlling our machining software through libraries of macros segments that have been developed and fine tuned for almost every conceivable programming situation means that we are never "re-inventing the wheel" These macro segments are shared and tweaked by all users to maximise the benefits from each users ideas. Our own "pick and place" editing software enables us to quickly assemble these macro segments into a full macro program that then automatically creates the desired cutter paths in our machining software. |
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Did you know about the other excellent services offered by Alphatech? |
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