What are the precision mould parts processing equipment and technologies?

The manufacturing of precision moulds cannot be done without those advanced processing equipment. And the main processes of precision mould manufacturing are CNC milling, slow wire cutting, EDM, grinding, turning, measuring, automation and so on.

A, CNC milling processing

From the traditional ordinary milling machine to the three-axis machining centre, and then the development of today's five-axis high-speed milling, making how complex three-dimensional surface parts of the processing can almost become a reality, the hardness of the material is no longer a limitation of the problem. Plastic moulds of the main cavity, type surface by CNC milling processing to complete the rapid development of the rubber mould manufacturing industry is mainly due to the innovation of CNC milling technology.

Second, slow wire cutting processing

The slow-walking wire cutting processing is mainly used for the processing of two-dimensional and three-dimensional straight surface parts of various stamping dies, plastic dies, powder metallurgy dies, etc.. Among them, the processing of stamping die takes up the largest proportion, stamping die convex die, convex die fixed plate, concave die and unloading plate and many other precision hole processing, slow wire cutting processing is indispensable key technology. In the manufacture of injection moulds, common applications are insert holes, ejector holes, slant top holes, cavity clearance and slider processing, generally speaking, the processing accuracy requirements are not as high as stamping moulds.

Slow wire processing is a high precision processing method, high-end machine tools can achieve less than 3μm processing accuracy, surface roughness up to Ra0.05μm. 0.02 ~ 0.03 ㎜ electrode wire can be achieved automatically through the wire cutting, practical cutting efficiency up to 200mm2/min.

Three, EDM processing

EDM is applicable to the processing of complex parts such as precision small cavities, narrow slits, grooves and corners. When the tool is difficult to reach the complex surface, in the place where deep cutting is needed, and in the place where the length-diameter ratio is particularly high, EDM process is superior to milling process. For the machining of highly technical parts, milling electrodes followed by electrical discharge increases the success rate and makes EDM more suitable than the high and expensive tool costs. In addition, where EDM finishing is specified, EDM is used to provide a flamed surface.

IV. Grinding machine processing

Grinding machines are precision equipment for finishing the surface of parts, especially hardened workpieces. The main grinders used for mould processing are surface grinders, universal internal and external cylindrical grinders and coordinate grinders (PG optical curve grinders).

Small flat grinders are mainly used for processing small-sized mould parts such as precision inserts, precision die kernels, slides, etc. Large water grinders are often used for larger size mould plate processing. Nowadays, it has become a common trend for surface grinding machines to have high speed grinding wheel line speeds and table movements. Due to the use of advanced functional component technologies such as linear guides, linear motors and hydrostatic screws, there has been great progress in movement speed, in addition to the continuous improvement of grinding wheel dressing technology.

Five, CNC lathe

CNC lathe is also a common processing equipment for mould workshop. Its processing range is all rotary body parts. Due to the high development of CNC technology, the complex shape of the rotary body can be easily achieved through programming, and the machine tool can automatically replace the tool, which has substantially improved the production efficiency. The machining accuracy and manufacturing technology of CNC lathes is becoming more and more perfect, and there is even a tendency to replace grinding with turning. It is commonly used to process round inserts, props, positioning rings and other parts in moulds.