In today's world, CNC machining has become an integral part of every manufacturing industry. Many industries have incorporated this machining technique into their different applications due to its high productivity and precision. Rally Precision is one of the leading CNC machining service providers in China. The company offers CNC milling, turning, drilling, injection molding, die casting, and surface grinding services to its customers around the world.
This article will feed you the information about the applications of CNC machining in mold making. At the end of this article, you will be able to understand how molds are being produced from CNC machining and how to find the best CNC machining service provider for mold making.
What is CNC machining?
CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing technique used to remove the material from the stock piece to get the desired shape. It is a Computerized Numerical Controlled method in which software controls the machining tools. CNC machining processes are suitable for a variety of materials like plastic, metals, glass, acrylic, and wood. This process is used to produce parts and prototypes for different applications in multiple manufacturing industries. Due to the automated nature of this machining process, it delivers high precision and cost-effective parts and prototypes. The degree of complexity and intricacy attainable with CNC machining is hard to achieve with conventional machining.
Advantages of CNC machining
Accuracy: CNC machines are precise and accurate in nature and can be repeated to create exact parts and prototypes over and over again. It gives products with consistent quality and with the same shape every time.
Safety: CNC machines are not operated like manual machines. These machines are operated in a closed transparent place which makes CNC machines safer than manual ones.
Better Production Speed: CNC machines are computer-operated machines that make the process automated and hence they increase the overall speed of manufacturing and give the output in a short lead time. CNC machines can work 365 days which makes them efficient as compared to conventional machining.
Cost-Effective: A single operator can control multiple CNC machines while conventional machines require a dedicated operator for each machine which makes them costly. In addition to this, CNC machines reduce errors in manufacturing that help to reduce wastage to a minimum and save money.
Material Selection for CNC machining
Figure 2: Materials for CNC machining
Choosing the right material for your CNC project is a crucial step. The success of your CNC machining project depends upon the material selection process. CNC machining can be performed on different soft and hard materials. Following are some steps that you should consider for selecting the right material.
Stress sustainable: Machined parts may be subjected to extremely stressful applications, so choosing a material with high-stress resistance is suitable for these kinds of applications like metal alloys.
Operational Environment: It is necessary to check in which conditions the machined part will work. If the part is exposed to moisture, heat, and chemicals, then opting for the material with great corrosion and heat resistance would be beneficial. In these conditions, certain grades of plastic would be a good option to go for.
Types of CNC machining
Figure 3: CNC machining operations
In turning machines, the cutting tool moves in linear motion while the workpiece rotates to form a cylindrical shape in material. The cutting tools move in two axes of motion o create exact and accurate width and depth. This comes in two different types the manual and the automated one.
This process uses multi-point cutters to remove the material from the workpiece to get the desired shape. In CNC milling there are two operation types, peripheral milling and face milling.
- Peripheral milling is employed for deep cutting of slots, gear teeth, and threads.
- Face milling is used to cut flat bottom cavities and flat surfaces in the material.
Usually, the CNC milling process is employed in the already machined parts for secondary finishing.
CNC Drilling
The drilling operation is performed for creating holes and cylindrical shapes in material or workpiece. This process can also be done by using milling machines. This is a primary operation in creating holes, the subsequent is boring that is used to create hole dimensions in the material.
The role of CNC machining in mold manufacturing
CNC machining is itself a reason for the existence of mold making. It offers labor-saving, accurate, and efficient solutions for the mold-making process.
CNC machining offers precision in mold making process that no other machines have ever-present. These machines use software for the automated manufacturing process to improve precision and accuracy in the mold-making process. The traditional mold-making process required multiple laborers to control different processes in mold manufacturing. The time of mold making was also long and less efficient. The introduction of CNC machining in mold manufacturing has brought a revolutionary effect, now only a few relevant staff is required for the operational requirements. This reduces the need for human capital and makes the overall process integrated, intensely structured, and well organized.
Mold making from CNC machining requires a skilled professional with proper knowledge of CNC machines and their language. The operator must possess the expertise to mitigate the problems regarding the machine.
Machines used for manufacturing molds
CNC Milling Machine
CNC milling machines use a rotating multipoint cutting tool to remove material from the workpiece and to create a mold for the mass production of parts. These machines are suitable for metal, plastic, wood, and glass mold making. It produces high tolerance and accurate molds for small and large batch manufacturing.
5 axis CNC router machine
5 axis CNC router machine is used to create modern molds for parts in multiple industries such as automotive and aerospace. It is a highly effective machining technique with high precision and the ability to cut the workpiece using 5 axes simultaneously. These 5 axis capabilities allow it to create molds in a shorter period and with utmost accuracy
Electric discharge machining (EDM)
This method uses current discharge as its name suggests, between two electrodes submerged in dielectric fluid. Electric discharge machining (EDM) also known as spark machining is a process that creates molds through electrical sparks that removes the part from the material to get the desired shape. There are two types of EDM.
- Wire EDM: This type use wire which is electrically conducted to remove the part from the material.
- Sinker EDM: This method use electrode soaked in dielectric fluid with the workpiece to remove the part from the workpiece.
Why CNC machining is important for mold making
CNC machining is widely used in a variety of industries such as automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, medical, marine, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and food for manufacturing molds to develop high-quality identical parts. So its is crucial to create a mold that helps to produce accurate and precise parts to fit into applications and function properly. That makes CNC machining the best process for mold making because of its precision and production capabilities. Manufacturers put significant financial investment in mold creation because this mold will ultimately be used to manufacture millions of parts. So CNC machining services provider makes sure the mold is far from inaccurate and is reliable.
Using CNC machining for mold making also reduces the production steps and time, adding efficiency to the process. This process can be repeated multiple times with the same accuracy every time and is more specific and detailed than manual machining. CNC machining has the ability to create a complex structure with eminent precision. Manually operated machines can not perform functions that are performed by CNC machines such as using CAD software to deliver the output and other functions. CNC technology has changed the face of different industries and helped them to be more productive by creating meticulous and detailed molds.
How do CNC machines affect the quality of mold making?
CNC machining has brought a new revolution in mold making process through its precision and meticulous techniques. CNC machining brings multiple processes by which you can create the finest quality molds for different applications.
CNC Milling Machine
These machines are well known in CNC machining and are regularly used in mold-making operations. These machines have enhanced mold making by their ability to precisely cut the workpiece by its rotating cutting tool and create molds of custom design from different materials. High-speed milling machines reduced the operation timing and thus makes this process less costly as compared to other mold making process.
CNC Engraving Machines
Figure 4: CNC engraving for mold making
CNC engraving machines improve the mold-making process through their engraving and carving techniques which are design for hard surfaces of different materials. This computer-controlled engraving technique reduces error and increases the speed with ultra-sophisticated engraving.
CNC Lathe
CNC lathe machines have also affected the mold-making process by adding incredibly valuable assets to different molding processes. For instance, plastic injection molding has drastically improved with the introduction of CNC lathe machines because of its versatility and accuracy. CNC lathe machines made it possible to live tooling in complex operations to achieve excellent surface finishing.
Boring machines
These machines are used to increase the diameter of already made holes in molds. They refine the hole and improve its tolerance. The mold base contains a hole for cooling and injection purposes. These holes define the quality of a mold and determine its durability and performance. Thus, boring machines improve overall molding operation.
Applications of Molds in various molding processes
The injection molding process uses three-dimensional molds to produce commercials products or parts. This molding process starts by injecting melted plastic into objects then chilled so that plastic takes the form of a mold. Pots, plastic bottles, caps, and other components.
Casting is the most common molding process. In this process, the material is melted and then poured into the mold to get the desired shape. Casting does not require high technology it can be created by simple techniques. Sheets of 0.5 inches and greater can be created through the casting process.
Compression Molding
In compression molding, heated material is poured into a heated mold and compressed to form a shape. This heat treatment in this process instills good strength in the final product. Then cooling and trimming are performed and plastic is being removed from the mold.
Blow Molding
This process is employed because of hollow and thin-walled plastic material with uniform wall thickness. In the blow molding process, the plastic is heated until it melts, and then air is injected into it like a balloon to create a shape.
How to find a reliable CNC machining mold manufacturer in China
If you are looking for a reliable CNC machining mold manufacturer from China, your first choice should be Rally Precision. We are a quick-turn and reliable CNC machining mold manufacturer that offers mold making by different CNC processes to ensure you get the best molds for your parts. We have CNC technologies of CNC turning, milling, drilling, EDM, injection molding, and 3D printing for your mold manufacturing. With incomparable in-house capabilities and ISO certified CNC machining facilities we design and delivers mold to our widespread clients across the globe. Get in contact with our support representative and find out why we are the preferred CNC machining mold manufacturer for world-class companies and start your molding project with sophisticated CNC machining technologies.
Does Rally Precision offer CNC machining services for mold manufacturing?
Yes, Rally Precision offers meticulous and ultra-careful CNC machining services in mold manufacturing for different applications. We have advanced CNC machining technologies and expertise to execute different mold projects for multiple industries. Our CNC machining services for mold making eliminates antiquated processes with a digital automated machining system to give you the finest molds with a short lead time and reduced cost. Rally Precision owns state-of-the-art CNC machining technologies with 100s of different milling, turning, drilling, injection molding, and 3D printing machines. This machining capability makes us offer complex structure molds in different materials at competitive prices.
Conclusion
This was a brief introduction to CNC machining applications in mold making. Now you can make a decision about your mold-making project after learning about its technicalities application in different industries. Rally Precision is backed by its vast experience in CNC machining and delivering exceptional service with value to every client. For any further technical information, you can contact our technical support team and engineers. Place your order today at Rally Precision and get it delivered to your business address within the quoted period of time.
Contact RALLY for a free quote for your project!
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