By Sean Shafer
Business Unit Manager,
Die/Mold Technologies

The future for the die/mold industry is in finding a niche that works best for your current business and provides direction for future markets.

Most of us have seen a rebound in our markets in the past year, and this is the perfect time to invest in new technology to differentiate the capability of your business, providing greater profitability and future growth opportunities. Part of that formula is acquiring and utilizing advanced high-technology machining solutions that are necessary to meet the requirements of these specialized market niches.

Optical molds, miniature and micro molds, progressive dies and silicon rubber molds each have unique characteristics that require exceptional surface finishes and challenging accuracies while the industry demands ever decreasing lead times. Milling surface finishes down to 10 RMS are routinely required, as is cutting hardened tool steels up to 70 HRc.

Reducing lead times by 30, 40 or even 50 percent is imperative. And, running unattended operations for days, not just hours, is vital to financial survival.

This type of specialty work is not easily transferred off shore. Successful companies are transforming their operations by taking advantage of the latest in machining technology.

Built for Die/Mold [back to top]
Makino’s 68-year history of building vertical machining centers specifically for the die/mold industry translates into the ultimate in performance for our growing application demands. The V-Series of vertical machining centers has helped eliminate the need for jig grinding, hand polishing and spotting in most applications. And, it has transformed the way in which successful mold builders can respond to their demanding niche customers.

"Makino's unique technologies were developed in direct response to the challenges of our die/mold customers."

Makino’s unique technologies were developed in direct response to the challenges of our die/mold customers. A few examples include the SGI.4 servo control and the Pro5 controller, core-cooled spindles and construction know-how that produces outstanding volumetric accuracies more than 200-times greater than conventional vertical machining centers.

Technology Capacity [back to top]
Successful shops no longer measure their business by backlog but by quality and lead time performance. They must have additional capacity beyond their forecasted output, as the ability to turn around high-accuracy tools in a short time is the key in being awarded the business.

This requires what I refer to as technology capacity. Technology capacity is utilizing the latest in machines and processes to differentiate yourself from your competition, while at the same time minimizing labor expense by leveraging key intellectual resources.

Please take the time to read in this issue about the many successful shops that have enhanced technology capacity with Makino to serve their market niche.

Contact Sean at 248-232-6200; E-Mail: Sean.Shafer@Makino.com.

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