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Additive Manufacturing

VIDEO: Qualifying Modified H-13 for 3D-Printed Tooling

Next Chapter Manufacturing and International Mold Steel discuss their partnership to qualify a modified H-13 for tooling applications.

Christina Fuges
Editorial Director, MoldMaking Technology

VIDEO: Qualifying Modified H-13 for 3D-Printed Tooling image
Additive Manufacturing

3D Printing Tool Steels Reformulated for More Flexible, Less Brittle Filaments

Markforged has reformulated its H13 and D2 tool steel filaments for use with its Metal X 3D printing system. 

Cutting Tools

Cutter Designed for Roughing in Face, Profile Milling Operations

The Sandvik Coromant CoroMill MR80 now caters to steel milling applications, which require the security of a round cutting edge — for instance, when face and pocket milling mold bases.

Alro Steel Expands Metal Offerings Via Pottinger Steel Acquisition

Third company purchase this year brings carbon steel, alloys, stainless steel, aluminum and other metals under Alro Steel’s distribution capabilities.

Mold Materials

Micro-Milled Steel Plate Cuts Mold Build Times by 10-15%

Steel 21 emphasizes its tighter tolerances, improved surface quality and speed of processing using the patented “21 Micro Milling” process.

Cutting Tools

Coating Technology Enables Tough Mold and Die Steel Machining

Millstar, a part of Cole Tooling Systems, presents a multi-layer hybrid nanocoating for cutting tools that provide key benefits for increased efficiency in any machining operation.

Mold Materials

Mold Materials Guide Eases Steel Selection

Newly released Materials Guide from Swiss Steel Group offers mold builders a quick and easy way to navigate the company’s steel solutions, applications.  

Double Rack System by CUMSA
Mold Materials

How to Select the Right Tool Steel for Mold Cavities

With cavity steel or alloy selection, there are many variables that can dictate the best option for moldmaking.


How to Select the Right Tool Steel for Mold Cavities image
Additive Manufacturing

Shaping Steel Enables More Complex, Efficient Injection Molds

AddUp’s AISI 420 stainless steel is commonly used to manufacture molds for plastic injection molding, as it has high mechanical strength and good corrosion resistance.

Mold Materials

Qualified Tool Steel Enhances Thermal Transfer, Long Tool Life

Next Chapter Manufacturing has successfully qualified HTC-45 tool steel, an optimized version of H13, to support better thermal transfer and faster cycle times for molders and die-casters.

Mold Materials

High-Grade, Ultra-Fine Grained Steel Attained Via Novel Heat Treatment

Swiss Steel Group applies its Extreme Performance Technology (XTP) treatment to steels for enhanced dynamic and mechanical characteristics.  

Machining

How to Produce More Accurate Molds and Reduce Rework

Patented micro-milling process for manufacturing steel plate flat and parallel helps mold builders shorten mold build times and increase accuracy.

Three Considerations for Mold Steel Selection

Although a big challenge is selecting the right steel for the right job, steel selection has never been better in regards to quality, price and delivery speed. Here is a simple checklist when selecting your next mold steel.

Cutting Tools

PVD-Grade Carbide Milling Inserts Address Mold Machining Challenges

The new PVD grade from Walter USA is now reportedly capable of 30% greater performance in stainless steels and heat-resistant super alloys, and up to 75% greater performance in steels than comparable grades.

NPE2024: The Plastics Show

What You Should Consider When Purchasing Modified P20 Steel

When buying P20 steels that have been modified, moldmakers must be aware of the variations and key issues that affect delivery, cost and lead times.


What You Should Consider When Purchasing Modified P20 Steel image
Mold Materials

Advances in P20 Steel Potentially Eliminates Need for Stress Relieving After Rough Cutting

Omega Tool Corp. compares conventional, new P20 grades side by side in production fascia tools, finds no downside.

Mold Materials

How to Lower Cycle Times With the Right Tool Steel

Combining excellent mechanical properties, high wear resistance and high thermal conductivity in a specialty tool steel yields cycle time reduction.  

Alro Steel Set to Acquire Access Metals

The acquisition is expected to enable Alro to grow its customer base in the eastern United States while providing improved service for cut-to-size metals.

Mold Materials

Self-Venting Mold Steel for Defect Prevention

High-tonnage pressed and sintered, porous metal Vortex removes the difficulties of trapped gas in the mold cavity through a system of interconnected pores.  

Additive Manufacturing

Metal 3D Printing Technology Targeting Moldmaking is Launched

Mantle announces the commercial launch and availability of its metal 3D printing technology, eliminating or reducing operations traditionally required to make precise, durable steel tool components.  

MoldMaking Technology's Top-Viewed Content in 2022 So Far: Features

A list of the most-viewed features in MoldMaking Technology from January-May 2022, from vertical machining to achieving the best mold finish. Give your favorites another look or catch up on what you might have missed. 

Mold Materials

MMT Chats: Project Reveals Added Benefits of New P20 Grade Steel in Machinability, Cycle Time and No Stress Relief

MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges chats with Shane Appel, Polymer Manufacturing Engineer with General Motors about a project conducted with Omega Tool and Finkl Steel to prove the dimensional stability of a new grade of P20 steel. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.

Christina Fuges
Editorial Director, MoldMaking Technology

MMT Chats: Project Reveals Added Benefits of New P20 Grade Steel in Machinability, Cycle Time and No Stress Relief image
Mold Materials

Modified Composition Enhances Stainless Steel Capabilities

Edro introduces Böhler’s M333 Isoplast stainless steel which has been manufactured via a new melting technology for best-in-class polishability, conductivity, toughness and corrosion resistance.

Mold Materials

Corrosion-Resistant, Highly Machinable Tool Steel

Opticut mold steels from Swiss Steel Group member Deutsche Edelstahlwerke apply a novel treatment to the material to eliminate the deterioration caused by the addition of sulfur.

Mold Materials

Corrosion-Resistant, High-Hardness Mold Steel for Optimal Surface Finishes

Uddeholm’s premium Tyrax ESR can reduce polishing time by 40-50% and is suitable for long run production molds and high-performance plastics.

Mold Materials

Pre-Hardened Mold Steel Material Increases Through-Hardened Ability

Finkl Steel’s patented pre-hardened mold steel grade MD Xtra material achieves high impact strength, enhanced thermal conductivity and is an exceptional solution for deep impression applications.

Mold Materials

How to Achieve the Best Mold Finish

A look at factors that impact the polishability of tool steels and recommendations for obtaining a high-gloss finish. 

What Does the Ukraine War Have to Do with Plastics?

Europe is feeling the heat from the abrupt halt to steel exports from Russia and Ukraine. Will the ripples reach to our shores, and when?

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