Moulders cash in with computers

More affordable computer-aided design and machine programming systems have done much to boost the fortunes of specialist plastics moulders. This report shows how the new technology can be used effectively alongside, rather than instead of, traditional toolmaking skills. Mould makers have been freed from the constraints of spark erosion for the production of any but the simplest mould cavity. Although EDM is still important, a CNC mill is capable of producing or modifying a mould cavity with a usable finish in considerably shorter time, given the necessary program data.