The "Built for Die/Mold" Technology Expo held at the Makino Die/Mold Technologies Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, was a huge success. Over 450 people were in attendance from October 4-6, 2005. The Expo brought together various leaders of the die/mold industry under one roof to address the state of the North American tool/die/mold manufacturing market. Attendees were also able to observe a number of new, innovative process solutions.
Jeff Mengel, a partner with the accounting firm of Plante & Moran, specializes in working with clients in the plastics industry as a member of the firm’s Plastics Industry Team. He provided the results of a "state of the industry" survey that the firm recently conducted. Jim Bouck, a manager with Plante & Moran’s Process and Quality Management Consulting Practice and the Plastics Industry Team, presented information on how mold manufacturers can implement the latest in "lean manufacturing" principals. He illustrated clearly how lean concepts, selectively applied, can increase the profitability of mold manufacturers. Rod Jones is president and founder of the manufacturing-based sales and marketing consulting firm Decision Technology, Inc. He presented on how to keep existing customers satisfied, how to develop new customers in existing markets and how to find new customers in emerging markets.
Various industry experts also highlighted the latest advancements in technology, tooling, CAD/CAM systems, materials, and metal cutting processes. Experts in die/mold machining technology and processes were available to discuss specific process solution applications. Demonstrations were conducted on 17 machines, each providing a specific metal cutting solution. These demonstrations included new metalcutting methods, high-performance hard milling, Ram and wire EDM processes, fine hole processes, automation, lead-time compression and micromachining techniques. A unique sunglass mold development process was exhibited that illustrated milling techniques which required no polishing, fitting, or benchwork in order to eliminate blend lines. Plastic parts of this process were also on display for review. Also introduced was a unique weldless mold technology. All the demonstrations showed Makino’s ability to reduce cycle times and lead times, and eliminate costs, in the production of complex molds and dies with superior accuracies and surface finishes.
Makino is a global provider of advanced machining technology and application support for the metalcutting and die/mold industries. Makino manufacturing and service centers are located in the United States, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Italy, France, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, China, Mexico, Brazil, and India, and are supported by a worldwide distributor network.
For more information call (800) 552-3288 or go to [www.makino.com].
