Technologies That Will Drive The Die & Mould Industry
The global die & mould industry has witnessed number of technological advancements in the recent times to keep up with the ever growing and evolving customer demand.
The slow paced economy has also affected the die and mould industry. Various government policies are put in place to boost manufacturing to 25% of GDP by 2025. Initiatives like new policies, technology funds, training centers and subsidies are being taken. Collaborations are also being encouraged to bridge various gaps including technology adoption and latest manufacturing practices.
Having said the above, there is a still a relative shortage of innovation and in-house development, we are still heavily dependent on foreign technologies. Sadly, not even 50% of the market is dominated by home grown manufacturers. We believe it’s high time, Indian die and mould manufacturers should invest in latest equipment and technical know-how to explore the market dominated by foreign players.
Given the current rupee depreciation against major global currencies, it has made import more costly and this can be an opportunity in disguise for the Indian die and mould manufacturers. This is the time to invest in the right technology.
Below we list some of the technological trends that the die and mould manufacturers can try their hands on:-
High-speed Machining
Considered to be one of the most promising technology, High-speed Machining (HSM) is known for reducing production times and improve surface finish in the machining of precision moulds and dies. HSM not only reduces the workload but also the costs of producing high precision surface finishes. The tool life is also extended, though proper care must be taken to tailor and balance the tool.
Right CAD/CAM solutions
Right design is a must for any product to be a success. Though various Indian companies use automated solutions, there are SMEs who still hesitate to adopt automated solutions. With the use of proper CAD/CAM solutions, the risk of errors drastically goes down as it automated eventually reducing human intervention.
Hot Runner Technology
This technology plays an important role when it comes to delivering the melt material from the injection nozzle to the cavity. Their application also helps illustrate the effect of gate quality on the overall part quality. It provides better process controls, like in thermocouple controlled nozzles, while on the other hand improved hot-runner nozzles allow for easier application and simple maintenance of hot-runner systems. These directly affect the quality, costs and the cycle times.
Rapid Tooling
Rapid tooling is responsible for reducing cycle times by 40% as compared to conventional machining. The use of conformal cooling, bimetal layering and better mould materials, like aluminium, allow quicker thermal conductivity in moulds. Also, the rapid processes allow for production of inserts and mould tooling in less than 48 hours. Rapid processes are also capable of producing modifications in the tool, like undercuts or side-action easily.
Aluminium Moulds
It is believed that aluminium tooling is capable of reliable and high-volume production. Aluminium moulds weigh one-third of the traditional steel moulds, reduce wear and tear and have a better thermal conductivity. The cycle times are also reduced by 30 to 50% allowing better production volume, saves on costs and also reduce the lead times by 10%.
As mould development shifts towards rapid production, it needs speed and efficiency both. With the growing demand, Indian companies need to act fast to stay in the competition.
P.S: Invest in R&D activities to compete global companies locally.
saurabh@mfgtechupdate.com
