Improve design and processing level of mold enterprises by technical?

 

Introduction

In the manufacturing industry, mold enterprises play a pivotal role. Molds are the fundamental tools for producing various products, from the tiniest components in electronics to large - scale automotive parts. They determine the shape, size, and precision of products, directly affecting product quality and production efficiency. For instance, in the production of smartphone casings, high - precision molds ensure that the casings fit the internal components perfectly, with smooth surfaces and accurate dimensions.

Technical Strategies for Design Level Improvement

Advanced CAD/CAE Technologies

CAD (Computer - Aided Design) and CAE (Computer - Aided Engineering) technologies are the cornerstones for improving the design level of mold enterprises. CAD allows designers to create precise 3D models of molds quickly. For example, in the design of a complex automotive interior mold, with traditional design methods, it might take a skilled designer weeks to complete a detailed 2D drawing, and any modification would be time - consuming. However, using CAD software like SolidWorks, the design process can be shortened to a few days. Designers can easily modify dimensions, shapes, and structures with simple parameter adjustments, and the software can automatically update the entire model, significantly increasing design efficiency.

CAE technology, on the other hand, is crucial for mold structure optimization. Take the injection molding process as an example. Before using CAE, mold designers had to rely on experience to predict potential problems such as uneven filling, warping, and shrinkage during the injection molding process. This often led to multiple trial - and - error adjustments during mold production, increasing costs and time. With CAE software like Moldflow, designers can simulate the injection molding process in advance. By inputting material properties, process parameters (such as injection pressure, temperature, and time), the software can generate detailed flow analysis results, showing where the plastic melt will flow first, areas of potential air traps, and possible warping areas. A study showed that after a mold enterprise started using CAE technology for injection mold design, the number of design modifications during the trial - production stage decreased by 40%, and the overall mold development cycle was shortened by about 30%.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Collaboration among mold enterprises, customers, suppliers, and research institutions is an important source of design inspiration and technical support. When mold enterprises collaborate closely with customers, they can better understand product requirements and market trends. For instance, a mold enterprise that specializes in producing packaging molds collaborated with a leading food company. Through in - depth communication, the mold enterprise learned that the food company wanted to launch a new - style packaging that was not only more attractive but also easier to open for consumers. Based on this information, the mold enterprise's design team came up with innovative mold design ideas, such as adding unique snap - fit structures and ergonomic shapes to the packaging mold design. As a result, the new packaging was well - received in the market, and the mold enterprise also won more orders from the food company and other related enterprises.

Collaboration with suppliers can also bring new materials and processing technologies. A mold enterprise in the electronics industry collaborated with a high - tech material supplier. The supplier introduced a new type of high - temperature - resistant and high - strength plastic material. The mold enterprise, in turn, designed molds specifically for processing this new material, which were used to produce components for high - end electronic devices. This collaboration not only expanded the mold enterprise's business scope but also improved its technical level in dealing with new materials.

Technical Means to Enhance Processing Level

High - Precision Machining Equipment

High - precision machining equipment is the cornerstone for improving the processing level of mold enterprises. Take the five - axis machining center as an example. In traditional three - axis machining, the movement of the machine tool is mainly limited to the X, Y, and Z axes. For complex mold processing, multiple set - ups are often required, which not only increases the error accumulation but also has limitations in processing complex curved surfaces. A study shows that the positioning accuracy of a general three - axis machining center is usually around ±0.01mm, while a high - end five - axis machining center can achieve a positioning accuracy of up to ±0.001mm.

In the aerospace mold manufacturing, components often have complex curved surfaces and high - precision requirements. With a five - axis machining center, it can achieve multi - axis linkage, allowing the tool to reach any position and angle in space. This not only significantly improves the machining accuracy of the mold but also enhances the surface quality. For instance, in the production of engine blade molds, the five - axis machining center can complete the machining of complex curved surfaces in one - time clamping, reducing the number of clamping times and improving production efficiency. At the same time, the surface roughness of the processed mold can be reduced from Ra0.8μm (processed by a three - axis machine) to Ra0.2μm, which greatly improves the quality of the final product.

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