Looking back at 15 years in the die and mould industry

Related Vendors

DIPROFIL Diamantprodukter AB

Ramada Acos

CGTech

CNC Software Inc.

Progressive Components

more less

INDUSTEEL Creusot

CGTech Ltd.

Iscar Ltd

DMG Bielefeld Vertriebs und Service GmbH

MAKINO GmbH

less

Faster computers bring digital muscle to the shop floor

Another major development has been the rapid penetration of software applications into die and mould making operations since the end of the 20^th century, according to CG Tech. “Just 15 years ago, machine tool simulation and optimisation were the preserve of the elite, mostly only used in aerospace applications and not thought to be viable for the machining of single mould cavities or press tools.”

The company said that today, independent CNC simulation and optimisation software such as its Vericut program is accessible to every precision engineer. “One of the reasons for this is the vastly increased computer processing power available. It means that simulating even very long mould programs, where freeform surfaces are machined to a very fine finish, can be achieved within a reasonable time frame.”

The time line for the penetration of its product mirrors much of the expansion of software use in die and mould shops. “In 1999, Vericut was still predominantly operated on UNIX workstations. Although the PC version was launched around 1994, it was not until the early 2000s that Windows versions on PCs came of age and the use of the software spread to SMEs.”

Cost-effective hardware has also allowed CAD/CAM software development to progress at a similar pace, the company noted. Ever-increasing processing power has helped, too, leading to products such as Dynamic Toolpaths from supplier CNC Software. It noted that conventional toolpaths are based on bounded geometry. The tool enters the material, runs in one direction until it encounters a wall or other obstacle, then it changes direction. The tool zigzags until it cuts the area delineated by the part model — material or air.

“Dynamic toolpaths act differently. The motion is not defined strictly by boundaries. Instead, they’re governed by a highly engineered set of rules that takes into consideration not only the area from which metal is to be removed, but also the changing condition and status of the material.” The software “looks ahead” to modify feeds, speeds, step-overs, and cutting motions in response to ever-changing material conditions as the part is being cut. The objective is to cut the material more efficiently by controlling lateral forces to avoid excesses that generate heat and cause faster tool and machine wear.

Is this merely just the end of another beginning?

Even if a tool shop has taken advantage of all of these aforementioned advancements, it still may not be enough, according to Aachen’s tooling researchers. They warned that toolmakers need to find a new approach for improving competitiveness. “In the future, the efficiency of one’s own tool production has to be further integrated into global co-operation with customers and partners. This way, one’s own competencies can be further developed while customers can be provided with a completed range of service.”

In other words, some things are a lot like they were 15 years ago.

(ID:42695210)