Aluminium Casting

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A Basic Guide to Choosing Aluminum Casting Alloys Part 2

Alloys 319.0, A319.0, B319.0 & 320.0
Alloys 319.0 and A319.0 exhibit very good castability, weldability, pressure tightness and moderate strength. They are very stable alloys (i.e., their good casting and mechanical properties are not affected seriously by fluctuations in the impurity content). Alloys B319.0 and 320.0 show higher strength and hardness than 319.0 and A319.0 and are generally used with the permanent mold casting process. Characteristics other than strength and hardness are similar to those of 319.0 and A319.0. Read more

Plastic Mold Company

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We are a plastic mold company, provide plastic molds and moding service.

last yeat, An important customer came to ST Tooling from US, CA, requiring a new servcie palstic mold and plastic molding company.Driver’s Side Airbag Cover in critically short time. Initial parts from productive materials were required in only 4 weeks. Several rapid tooling processes were considered for this project. The PolySteel™ process was selected for the following reason:

  • Tool accuracy
  • Lowest cost
  • Fastest timing
  • Robust process

PolySteel™ is a new polymeric tooling process developed by ST Tooling of Fresno, CA. Tools are created directly from rapid prototype or other patterns. The material is highly loaded with steel (greater than 90% by weight). A very high degree of accuracy is maintained from the pattern due to negligible process shrinkage (.0002 in./in.). The resulting tools have exceptional strength and durability for injection molding applications. 

This major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) had confidence the PolySteel™ process would work for this Airbag Cover project since PolySteel™ had already been proven successful with more abrasive materials requiring higher molding temperatures and pressures (such as ABS and Nylon 40% glass filled). 

Plastic Mold
Plastic Mold



The 12.5″ x 12.5″ x 6 Airbag Cover mold (317mm x 152mm) would normally require 8 separate components, 4 of which are slides. Due to the versatile nature of the PolySteel™ process the tool was produced with a 1-piece stripper plate, 2 core sections and 1 cavity, completely eliminating the need for slides, thus reducing total components by 50%. 

The part used to create the Airbag Cover mold was a stereolithography (SL) pattern. Since time was of the essence, the OEM’s in-house service bureau built the pattern over a weekend. Leather grain texture was applied to the exposed surface of the pattern using a special 2-day process. This greatly reduced the typical lead time required for conventional graining procedures. The PolySteel™ material was molded directly over the pattern without the need for machined inserts. The tool was constructed in a simple welded frame, which replaced the conventional mold base. Holes for the ejection system were molded in place. The characteristics of PolySteel™ made it possible to meet the demanding requirements of the Airbag Cover mold without the need for water cooling lines. Since the PolySteel™ process replicated the grain on the pattern, the parts produced from production intent materials were able to be used for show as well as deployment testing. 

Looking for plastic molding company? then go to our home page by plasticmold.net

More than 100 Airbags Covers were molded in the PolySteel™ tool to meet initial requirements. Over the following month, the mold was used for parametric studies by revising the tear seam and changing the emblem embossment area. Modifications of this nature are accomplished quickly and easily in PolySteel™ tools. An additional 225 parts were then produced from three (3) alternate productive materials. 

Even with the premium paid for expedited delivery, the PolySteel™ tooling process still saved the OEM 12% in tool costs and even more significantly 80% in typical timing. This tooling technology played a key role enabling delivery of a new Driver’s Side Airbag Cover in a timely manner for a very important customer. 

Need plastic molds? contact us now

Polypropylene Plastic Material

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Polypropylene

The Polypropylene market continues to charge into higher ground. Spot resin prices have been climbing weekly and are now up about $.22/lb for the year. Propylene monomer looks to be settling $.04/lb higher for November, and depending on resin producer, there is another $.04 or $.05/lb price increase nominated for December, so we anticipate resin prices to continue heading upward. 

Polypropylene demand has been very good, so even though there has been a fair amount of spot resin offered, it has been selling quickly. This has not been a market for buyers to negotiate hard, but resin could be bought as it is offered. Even those offers that seem slightly expensive for the market are disappearing and then the new offers come in priced a little bit higher.

It has been a tough market for Polypropylene buyers, barely a price pause all year. Last year some processors claimed that they could not make money if they had to pay more than $.35/lb for their resin. Now at $.55/lb it seems that some have learned that they could make more money selling off their resin inventory rather than actually processing the pellets! It is a creative and temporary solution for survival, but in the long run processors need to continue passing along higher costs downstream at an even faster pace. 

Polypropylene producers, on the other hand, are mostly in pretty good shape; they have achieved more increases in resin prices than their feedstock costs have advanced. They have utilized the export market to reduce their inventory positions and have been running their reactors, with good margins, at near sold out levels.

The US dollar continues to devalue and has made all-time lows against the Euro and multiyear lows versus the Asian currencies. This makes US products, resin included effectively on sale to foreign markets. Foreign resin demand is picking up again and producers are still looking to export what they can, but US prices have risen to the point that they are only competitive, and are not an especially great deal to foreign buyers.

Polystyrene
The Polystyrene market made its big move higher in the late summer adding $.16/lb in less than two months; prices have since consolidated at this elevated level. During this time, price protection expired on even the largest processors, so producers are finally caught up in passing through their sharply higher monomer costs. Even with styrene monomer around $.60/lb, current PS selling prices should be sufficient for profitable resin production.

Polystyrene producers still have plenty of ground to makeup from losses earlier in the year, when feedstock costs soared much faster than resin price increases could be implemented. So expect their best effort to maintain control of the market to protect and even extend their price gains.

Producers had an $.08/lb price increase slated for Nov 1st, but the market was still tired and not been ready for another surge. Polystyrene prices have even come off a couple of cents from their peak, with an ample supply of both HIPS and GPPS now available in the spot market. However, processors’ inventories are low and this market could change quickly now that producers are more realistically looking to enforce $.04/lb on Nov 15th and market permitting, the other $.04/lb on Dec 1st. 

Die Casting Offer Rapid Tooling

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GC Die Casting Offer Rapid Tooling

Cleveland, OH – Advancements in rapid machining and prototyping are being developed at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) that will considerably shorten the lead time for die casting tooling. Rapid tooling is important when a relatively small number of parts are required. This is important to DLA when tooling is no longer available to produce spare parts for aging weapon systems. Tooling lead time can play critical role to the overall procurement lead time, significantly affecting weapon system readiness. Rapid tooling methods that shorten lead times and reduce costs will expand the DLA casting supply base for high quality, dimensionally accurate parts.

Over the past year, CWRU has been working with NADCA and GC Die Casting company to develop a higher quality heat sink for military-tracked vehicles utilizing rapid tooling methods. Rubberized tank tracks are subjected to demanding operating conditions. In addition to normal wear and tear, they are exposed to temperature extremes that can affect performance and result in separation between the rubber and the track. To prevent separation, an aluminum heat sink that absorbs excessive heat from the rubber is embedded between the track and the rubber. Die casting is the most cost effective fabrication method for this heat sink because of the large production volumes involved.

die casting company
die casting company

GC Die Casting company, the die caster for these parts, had to frequently replace the HI3 steel dies because of excessive thermal fatigue cracking. The project team recommended replacing the HI3 steel dies with two alternate grades of steel. The new dies were completed in record time utilizing rapid tooling methods. Compared to HI3, a die set fabricated from one of the alternate steel grades produced twice as many castings before any welding repair was deemed necessary. The die set fabricated from the other alternate steel grade made three to four times as many castings. NADCA and AFS are supporting the technology transfer to their membership and CWRU is applying the lessons learned on Rapid Tooling to recent USCAR and DOE projects. In the the coming year, CWRU will collect, process, and report performance data from the rapid tooling production guidelines for fabrication of rapid tooling. The close collaboration and synergy fostered by the AMC program between the R&D teams, the CAST-IT application engineers, and the metalcasting associations and their members is very unique, making significant contributions to DLA and the metalcasting industry.

Plastics Labs testing services

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Welcome to Moldflow’s Plastics Labs testing services.


The combined excellence of the Moldflow Centre for Plastic Testing and Research and C-MOLD‘s Polymer Laboratory have been brought together to form Moldflow Plastics Labs. With the combined experience of 25 years and more than 4,000 grades, the labs are the leaders in material characterization for plastics processing. Moldflow Plastics Labs offer a comprehensive range of both standard and innovative tests to provide complete and accurate material characterization data for use within Moldflow and C-MOLD simulation software.

Established in April 1986, Moldflow’s material testing service offers a comprehensive range of standard and special tests to provide complete and accurate material characterization data for use with Moldflow’s simulation software.
With facilities in Australia and the US, we are able to meet the needs of our global market in a timely and cost effective manner.

Along with a comprehensive suite of standardized test methods, Moldflow Plastics Labs are the only providers of many specialized and innovative measurement techniques that yield greater simulation accuracy. Among our unique capabilities are mold shrinkage measurements, injection molding data verification, slit-die thermoset rheology, and proprietary model fitting.

The labs are an integral part of Moldflow’s software development and testing. This ensures a ready exchange of knowledge and skills, which drives the continuous improvement of testing and simulation technology.

How to Find a Rapid Prototyping Firm

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In the modern world with common use of the Internet, there are companies that do business with each other for years and never lay eyes on each other. If the initial contact between the company and the rapid prototyping firm has been a good one and as some would say lucky, then all goes well. If not, a minor disaster may happen. This article will help you avoid some of those problems with your next rapid prototyping firm. ! Check Out the Rapid Prototyping Staff

In a rapid prototyping firm, the skill level of the people doing the work is crucial. No matter how the good front office is, it’s the people that produce the product you need that determine the quality of the work you receive. You can help to insure a high quality threshold by investigating the staff. How? Read the “About us Page” if they have one. If a rapid prototyping firm has something worth publishing about the staff, you will likely find it there. ! Look For Rapid Prototyping Innovations

Rapid Prototyping services
Rapid Prototyping services

We all know that a rapid prototyping firm is on the cutting of technology. In such a competitive business, innovation is likely. We also realize innovation often cuts costs and can produce a better product. No rapid prototyping firm will tell you exactly what new or different process and or technology they are applying if they hope to continue to profit from it. However, they are likely to leave hints on their site. ! Wide Range of Rapid Prototyping Services

A rapid prototyping firm that offers a wide range of services has a special knowledge base gained from experience that will enable them to blend the various processes together to produce a better product. Sometimes that rapid prototyping company will have suggestions that will also save you time and money. Also, a full service rapid prototyping firm can offer better service and may offer discounts as well. ! View the Rapid Prototyping Products Pictures

The pictures used in the sales presentation of a rapid prototyping company tell you a lot about the firm. Look for diversity of shape, size and type. Take a special look at the very small parts for detail. If the rapid prototyping firm does a good job on the small ones, you may feel comfortable with any size part they produce.

! Rapid Prototyping Conclusions

Use the web site of the Rapid Prototyping firm you are considering. Read the “About us Page”. Look for signs of innovation in their products section. Look for employee information that suggests the skill level of the Hands-On people. Review the pictures on the web site. They tell you a lot about the skill level of the Hands-On people that end up doing your work. May your next rapid prototyping choice start a happy relationship.

Cast iron plate

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Cast iron plate are used for all kinds of inspection work, such as precision measuring datum plane, all kinds of machine mechanical inspection measurement, check the size of the parts precision, and do a deviation, and make precision marking. In the mechanical manufacturing cast iron plate is also an indispensable basic tools. Botou constant communication machine casting measuring tool . Is located in the south of the tianjin botou city, is the production tools, measuring tool specialized company. My company mainly produces all kinds of adjustment, crossed flat, shock machine pad iron, jack, can also be customized according to customer demand of machine tools of various types pad iron. Measuring tool series have flat feet, square box, and the true square, curved plate, V type rack (iron), partial pendulum tester and “00” class rock (marble) plate, measuring tool measuring tool, etc.

Cast iron plate design technical requirements according to the general law of the People’s Republic of mechanical industry standards JB/T 7974-2000 design, according to the national GB4986-85 standard manufacturing plate accuracy grade have 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, level and fine plane, plate made of steel plate and box type, face a rectangle, square or circular. The working face scraping process, working face can be processed V, T, u-shaped slot and round hole, the long hole, etc.

Cast iron plate work refers to the flatness tolerance plate actual working face and distance to the smallest two parallel plane distance between, the value that can press diagonal line method, the loop method of the test results obtained “base transformation”. Plate work surface flatness is a measure of the quality of the main plate precision index. According to the flat face flatness tolerance allowable value identify plate accurate level, so we must attach importance to flat face plane degree test. Flat flatness verification accuracy is flat use quality assurance. Material: is made by the high strength cast iron HT200 – HT300 manufacturing, face hardness: HB170-240.

Plastic Molds

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Working with plastic molds isn’t always easy, as mold maker at  hyx mold, know. The Plastic mold company offers plastic mold making and plastic molding services for the automotive, electric, home appliance, industrial, food package, and consumer products industries.

The company’s greatest challenge is to design and make the tooling and molds for custom injection molding parts. The majority of the plastic molding parts the company helps to develop are functional assemblies and complex tool actions, thin wall molding, 2k injection molding, over molding etc. 

“Customers expect us to help them reduce manufacturing costs through weight reduction and design for part and mold,” Panziera said. “We’re also expected to reduce development time to market of new products, and to validate design parameters through the use of CAE tools prior to the start of hard tooling.”

Design for automation means that the tools must be rugged enough to use again and again.

The CAE tools include plastic simulation software from Moldflow of Wayland, Mass.

The software enables engineers to reduce weight and to ensure that parts can be molded and can pass validation testing.

“Material reductions of even a few grams can provide significant cost savings,” Panziera said. “Cosmetic issues such as sink, warp, and blemishes can be addressed before tooling is produced, potentially saving thousands of dollars in tool revisions.”

For instance, a General Motors tier one automotive supplier recently approached Axiomatic for help with a troublesome chrome-plated, plastic inside-door handle, he said.

“The supplier had numerous problems with the gate blush and sink marks that only appeared after the parts had been plated. The high scrap rate and numerous tooling changes to attempt to remedy the problem were very costly,” Panziera said.

Axiomatic used Moldflow software to determine the best location, profile, and shape of the gate. The result was a dramatic reduction in scrap rate, to nearly zero, he said.

Want to know more information about plastic molds and injection molding, please go to http://www.plastic-industry.com/

plastic moulding industry

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plastic moulding industry

A new report from Hyx plastic mold identifies the 750 most important manufacturers in Spain, where the injection molding industry is experiencing important changes. The process of consolidation and expansion that is taking place elsewhere in Europe is also occurring in Spain.

AMI says in its report that many of the leading privately owned companies are being taken over by larger groups, very often multinationals, and that companies have been incredibly innovative in the areas of design and engineering.

The largest end-user market is the packaging industry, which accounted for 26% of polymer usage in 2001. Although this sector tends to include some of the largest plastic molding groups—such as PET preform manufacturer Schmalbach Lubeca (now owned by Amcor) and Holanplast (part of the Guala Closures Group)—many privately owned companies also focus their production on the cosmetics and food packaging markets.

plastic molds
plastic molds

Spain also has a large and well-developed plastic moulding industry serving the automotive sector, which accounted for 25% of polymer usage last year. Some of the leading international groups in this sector are Guardian, Venture, Visteon, Schefenacker and Faurecia. Spanish groups such as Grupo Iberofón, Zanini Auto Grup, and Mondragón Corporación Cooperativa hold important positions in this market as well.

According to the report, electrical goods, furniture, and household items are also significant within the Spanish plastics industry.

AMI’s analysis shows that the consumption of thermoplastics injection molding has increased on average by 7% per year throughout the 1990s. During the 2000-2005 period, the demand for injection molding in Spain is expected to grow above the average for thermoplastics overall, at approximately 5% per year.

Medical Plastic Material

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Medical Plastic Material

The use of plastic materials in the medical field is constantly increasing and is estimated to reach 4 billion dollar in two years (only in the US).
The need to reduce healthcare cost and use of a disposable medical supplies are important factors generating a higher demand of medical plastics.
New materials, with improved properties are developed in order to satisfy the requirements of infection control standards.
New studies and tests are conducted to determine the biological reactivity of polymeric materials.
Currently, plastics are graded on a scale of Class I to Class VI, which is done by injecting extracts of the test material intracutaneously into rabbits and mice.
Plastics not requiring implantation testing are graded Class I, II, III, or V and those plastics requiring implantation testing are graded Class IV or VI.
Guidance for the use of plastics in the manufacture of medical devices not being provided in the past, the medical device industry has primarily used Class VI plastics. The overuse of Class VI plastics is due to the assumption that its advanced level of testing the legal and biological risks are reduced. This leads to manufacturers avoiding the use of a number of appropriate and preferable plastics or polymers.
Packaging of medical plastic parts, tubes and pharmaceutical closures are also applications for plastic materials.
The high impact and chemical resistance as well as excellent resistance to steam exposure of some materials (like polyphenylsulfone) is making them a strong choice for products that need to be sterilized.

Want to know moare information about medical plastic parts and medical plastic material, go to other site to know more

Customer Service

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Customer Service

Reorganization of service procedures and additions to hyx‘s complement of CNC engineers means that service by the company’s dedicated engineers is now easier to arrange.

hyx’s Leicester service manager Dick Westland says, “Only our own engineers and the machine builder have access to the most relevant service and technical information. This means that we are in a unique position to diagnose and solve service issues quickly, usually without the added cost of multiple visits.”

Westland adds, “With the increasing sophistication of the hyx’s digital TNC packages and measuring systems, only engineers familiar with the equipment can provide efficient service. We have made specific changes to make it easier and cheaper for TNC customers to use us for field service.”

Engineers are based at hyx’s Burgess Hill and Leicester offices in the United Kingdom, and the company claims to have some of the most competitive service rates in the industry. Using a central diary system, engineers can be quickly allocated to each assignment so that downtime is kept to a minimum. All use the latest Heidenhain test and diagnostic equipment.