Industry applications:
Mold and Die

In recent years mold and die has seen more use of 5-Axis machining, particularly with larger components such as those seen in the automotive industry.

With deep cavities especially the advantages of 5-Axis machining are very clear. ModuleWorks will automatically tilt the tool and holder away from the work piece to avoid collisions allowing shorter series, small radius cutters to be used. Surface finish is improved and, in some cases, the need for electrodes can be eliminated.

In steep sections of the mould ModuleWorks SWARF machining has advantages. The number of cuts required is reduced and less material left to finish. Small radii and sharp inside corners are marked as remaining stock for subsequent machining and mold parting surfaces can be defined as check surfaces to be left un-machined.

In shallow areas machining time is reduced using a large Bull Nose cutter with a small lag angle. Again this reduces the number of steps required and gives an improved surface finish.