Cultivating Craftsmanship

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Cultivating Craftsmanship

Maintenance training turns out to be progressively essential each time a boomer checks out for good. This is for the most part in light of the fact that many organizations don’t archive basic systems precisely. Over that, more youthful professionals coming into the specialty should regularly figure out how to take a shot at molds by experimentation. To keep production rolling, craftsmanship engineering is vital, and the industry needs highly engaged repair specialists.

Evident inspirations incorporate incredible pay and advantages, or life-stage particular advantages with adaptable work hours. For mold maintenance experts, recovering an inadequately performing mold up and running or keeping an intricate shape running effectively and capably is profoundly satisfying. These individuals needn’t bother with suggestions to go out to a press and mind a difficult mold since they are as of now considering it throughout the night.

DEVELOPING CRAFTSMANSHIP AND TRAINING:

Most importantly molders who need and requires ace staff to keep up their molds need to offer higher-than-normal wages while giving a reasonable way to develop and a feeling of responsibility for the process. So, what do bosses do to keep the passion alive?

Creating the Job Description

Prior to any training that happens, the enrollment specialist needs to build up a sensible expected set of responsibilities. This requires not just a comprehension of the normal support and repair professional occupation yet in addition the shifting identities, organization culture, and administration desires. In the wake of performing several mold maintenance reviews for a variety of plastics producers. The occupation of mold maintenance and repair is from time to time completely comprehended by those creating the depictions.

Most form repair professionals work with a set of responsibilities that are inconceivably not quite the same as each other, despite the fact that the employment itself is generally the same from organization to organization. This is fundamental because of the distinction in view of the required aptitudes by different organizations and departments. For the last gathering, repair specialists are regularly broadly educated in toolmaking to amplify a little staff. Many trust toolmakers improve repair professionals.

The greater part of bonafide tool makers and mold builders despise mold repair. They desire and need to assemble instruments and segments with metal working equipment. Most repair experts spend their day at a seat utilizing hand instruments and working their way through the eight phases of repair while depending on their insight into mold function. These incorporate preventive maintenance arrangement, dismantling, investigate, remedial activity, clean, get together, the last check, and organizing. This is vital to note in light of the fact that the initial phases of repair specialist’s training do exclude figuring out how to run metalworking gear, programming a CNC cutter way or building up a confounded setup at a grinder.

Training Musts

For organizations to guarantee that they are giving ideal support and repair training, they should comprehend the employment of mold maintenance as it applies to the sorts of molds and items that their organization produces, and they should have genuine mold performance and shop proficiency measurements to gage repair professional execution.

Having the capacity to track and measure particular parameters and contrast them with shop midpoints is important—for instance, number and kind of molds worked on, issues remedied, molds with quick issues after start-up, tooling and work costs, and so forth. Here are a couple of form repair sets of expectations and measurements to kick you off:

Mold Maintenance “C” (Apprentice level and ordinarily offers three boosts in salary.)

  • Has great mechanical bent and fundamental hand apparatus encounter.
  • Can help in the safe moving, dismantling, cleaning, and investigating of molds and segments in a precise way, and has the fundamental devices, physical abilities, and teach to utilize particular, endorsed techniques/methods amid this work. May be relied upon to deal with straightforward in-squeeze cleanings and grease of molds.
  • Comprehends the significance of exact, clear documentation and takes after recommended techniques/methods amid work.
  • Perceives and appreciates the difficulties of this exchange, cooperates with other people and exhibits the eagerness to find out about shape work and they want to progress.

Mold Maintenance “B” (Intermediate level and offers three boosts in compensation.)

At this stage, a manager should utilize maintenance measurements as an exact pointer of abilities. For instance, a satisfactory cost of general repair productivity (CORE) and after effects of general repair capability (RORP) maintenance evaluations can be set based on shop midpoints.

  • Has the essential mold function and maintenance information and hand aptitudes to securely, adequately and productively dismantle, clean, investigate and gather 40 to 75 percent of an organization’s dynamic molds with a proficiency rating of 75.
  • Exhibits protected and sound mechanical thinking wants to enhance investigating aptitudes, reduce mold and part defects and increase root cause disclosures and has knowledge about cold runner mold function.
  • Makes Use of exact tools to quantify and compute essential (static) tooling stack-ups to decide part preloads and clearances or to check print measurements.
  • Knows about hot sprinter work and performs related support and investigating procedures. This individual, for instance, knows about test tip cleaning, evacuation, improving and fundamental electrical investigating on tests, warmers, thermocouples, links, and manifolds.
  • Shows the capacity to work securely and systematically through the eight phases of repair.
  • Information sources clear, brief information into documentation framework and mold maintenance manuals. Adds to and utilizes uses a mold knowledge base.
  • Capably uses and nurtures hand devices, works systematically, utilizes hierarchical aptitude and adds to shop cleanliness.
  • Has fundamental abilities to operate machine shop gear like a surface processor, penetrate press and machine to perform halfway level tooling repairs like boring, reaming and tapping openings, threading operations, and cleaning vents.

Mold Maintenance “An” (Advanced level and offers three boosts in salary.)

An execution measurements survey is required to keep on judging upkeep and shape capability evaluations. A high CORP and RORP rating can be set in view of shop midpoints.

  • Has the fundamental information, abilities, and devices to successfully and proficiently dismantle, perfect, clean, investigate/repair and amass 75 to 100 percent of an organization’s dynamic molds.
  • Performs propelled segment repair (like welding, stoning, fitting or cleaning) on issues like dings, scrapes, and scratches, modify of worn or harmed tooling or plates; and creation of basic tooling.
  • Shows that the organization’s molds start and run profitably without rehashed pulls for missing or inaccurately introduced tooling segments or rehashed form/part defects.
  • Performs finish dimensional mold tooling stack-out (static and dynamic) to decide tooling part preloads, clearances and fits, utilizing any/all accessible prints.
  • Decides “best” strategies/techniques to finding mold/part deformity likely explanations, revises and keeps certain activities of shop faculty and has brilliant information of how molds work.
  • Can clean and repair hot sprinter molds, including complex issues.
  • Works in an enduring, proficient way with practically zero supervision.
  • Guides disciple representatives in legitimate mold maintenance systems and approach.
  • Has a comprehension of essential preparing prerequisites for molds, for example, appropriate venting, cooling, and cleaning, and the arranging of spouts, sprues, doors, and sprinters.
  • Comprehends basic mold work, plating applications, and steel hardness prerequisites.
  • Persistently looks to enhance information base through continuous examinations, meetings, workshops or displays concentrated on planning, constructing and looking after molds.

What Exactly Is Gun Drilling?

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Gun Drilling

Gun Drilling

Deep Hole Drilling was first created for the assembling of guns, thus named gun drilling. Initially a tedious and expensive process, the present mechanical advances make it an exceptionally proficient assembling operation in all metal cutting industries including automotive, aircraft and aerospace, automotive, aircraft and aerospace, medical, construction, mold and tool and die, hydraulics, pneumatics, and more.

Gun Drilling is a perfect answer for most profound and precision boring ventures. This high exactness operation produces precise, repeatable holes, with fantastic surface completions. Gun drills hold area to exact resistances, are measured to correct determinations, deliver burr free openings, and can be framed to create particular shapes in dazzle gaps with negligible machine adjustment.

Gun Drilling should be possible, with constrained execution, on basic CNC machines. Holes with a profundity to-breadth proportion of 20:1 or more prominent for the most part require committed hardware to accomplish the most noteworthy profitability and process unwavering quality, and can achieve outrageous proportions of 400:1 or more prominent.

What is BTA Drilling?

BTA drilling is a profound deep hole drilling procedure that uses a particular drilling apparatus on a long bore tube to deliver profound holes in metal, from holes with a distance across of 20 mm [0.80 in] and bigger, up to profundity to-width proportions of 400:1. BTA boring is the best technique for penetrating profound holes, as it is a cleaner, more dependable and competent process than regular twist drills, and can accomplish bigger measurements and higher sustain rates than the option gun drilling.

BTA boring apparatus heads are strung or mounted onto long penetrate tubes, and utilize numerous cutting surfaces on a solitary instrument to expel chips effectively, depleting them utilizing high-weight coolant through gaps in the device head, at that point out the drill tube and through the machining axle. BTA tooling is accessible in brazed or embedded carbide setups.

BTA stands for Boring and Trepanning Association and is likewise some of the time alluded to as STS (single tube system) drilling, as it utilizes one single drill tube for the BTA apparatus, contrasted with different procedures, for example, ejector drilling, which utilizes two.

Gun Drilling versus BTA Drilling

The Gun drilling procedure is perfect for small opening measurements, up to 50 mm [2.00 in]. The gun drilling procedure varies from BTA drilling because of coolant section and chip expulsion; firearm drills present coolant inside through a little gap inside the apparatus, and chips are expelled by coolant through a score outside the length of the instrument. BTA drilling machines introduce coolant remotely, through an assembly around the instrument, while chips are emptied through the drill itself.

BTA drilling can accomplish bore encourage rates of regularly 5-7 times speedier than gun drilling at a similar distance across, because of the tool design, more proficient chip exhaust, and machine structure and power. BTA drilling machines present coolant around the instrument head, and clear chips through the penetrate and machine shaft, compared to gun drilling, where the coolant is introduced inside and chips exit through an outer furrow. BTA penetrating is powerful in gaps from 20 – 200 mm [0.80 – 8.00 in], a more noteworthy size range than gun drilling.

Gundrill Machine Overview

Gun drilling machines utilize an arrangement of high-accuracy parts to empower a gun drill apparatus to deliver profound gaps to detail. Gun drilling machines handle apparatus and workpiece arrangement and pivot while controlling the high-weight coolant required for effective operation. Machines utilize natural controls reassure, so machine administrators can undoubtedly program machines to achieve their gun drilling objectives.

Gun Drilling Diameters

1 – 3 mmPossible with appropriate gear
3 – 25 mmCommon
25 – 50 mmCommon
50 – 75 mmPossible, yet less beneficial than BTA drilling

Gun Drilling D:d Ratios

5:1Common twist drills
10:1High execution twist drills with through-device coolant
20:1Special profound hole drilling apparatuses with through-instrument coolant
100:1Gun drilling apparatuses on devoted gun drilling machine
200:1Gun drilling apparatuses on elite gun drilling machine
400:1Extreme drilling reach, restrictive procedures and gear required

Smart use of Technology for Smarter Manufacturing

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Technology has played a crucial role in the success of a manufacturing unit. Technical advancement leads to increased efficiency and reduced cost. Nobel Precision takes complete pride in using the latest 5-axis CNC simultaneous machine and domain expert team to provide the best solutions for all simple to complex manufacturing requirements.

CNC Machining Development

CNC is abbreviation for Computer Numerical Control and such machines are electro-mechanical contrivances that handle machine shop tools using computer programming inputs. In simple terms, a CNC machine converts the design produced by the CAD (Computer Aided Design) software into numbers. The numbers can be considered as coordinates of a graph and they control the movement of the cutter, in contrast to the machines which are manually controlled by levers.

The first CNC machine was invented during 1940-50. Initially, it used a common telecommunication data storage technology (punched type). Very soon, it was taken over by the digital processing.

The CNC machine includes a mini computer which acts as the controller unit of the machine. The commands are directly entered into the computer through a small board similar to the traditional keyboard. The programs that are fed in can be used for different requirements with slight modifications based on the specifications.

The CNC machine transforms a stock piece of material with the help of a controlled material removal process, resulting into a finished product. The digital instructions from a Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) or Computer Aided Design (CAD) file help in doing so. The CNC machine executes the design as per the stipulation for cutting prototype parts.

The capacity to program computer devices and administer the machine tools expeditiously enhances shop productivity. Moreover, automating the procedures simplifies the production, and abbreviates the dominance and involvement of physical work. Even for the most critical procedures the CNC machines result in perfect accuracy. With minimal operator efforts, the machines are designed well to meet perfection.

Use of Technology for Smart Manufacturing

In order to produce a component or part, various tools are required such as drills, saws, etc. The traditional way uses different machines with some external help (operators) to move the component from machine to machine. Modern CNC machines often combine multiple tools into a single cell with limited extrinsic assistance. Movement is controlled along multiple axes, usually in the x-y axis, adding up a tool spindle that moves in the depth (z-axis), also rotationally about one or more axes, if required. The position of the tool provides extremely accurate movements. Multi-axis machines are proficient of capsizing parts over automatically, permitting the removal of the underneath material. This also reduces manual intervention to flip the prototype stock and cut all sides.

Fully automated cuts are more accurate than manual outputs. Competition and efficiency in the manufacturing units have increased the use of advanced technology with CNC machines.

Types of CNC Machines

CNC machines fall into two categories: conventional machining technology and novel machining technology. The former technology is used in drills, lathes, and milling machines. Electrical and/or chemical machining and other cutting mediums use the novel technology. The main purpose of these machines is to shape a particular metal.

Depending on the application, nearly any material can be used in a CNC machine. Common ones include aluminum, brass, steel, plastics, copper, wood, as well as fiberglass.

The Growing Market

The growth and use of CNC machines is directly proportional to the demand of efficient products. Automation systems and stimulation software being associated with these machines have definitely increased the production. Lathe machines dominate the global CNC market.

Integration of CNC and Automation

CNC machines are automated but still need assistance. If operated properly, they can work very well. The program parameters have to be set and thermal expansion of the machine should be monitored. Latter can help anticipate tolerance but operators need to regulate warning indicators and execute measurements on the tool after the machining procedures are accomplished. They might also need to change the tool, if required.

Today, CNC machines are exploiting from automation to produce accurate components. In current CNC systems, the design of a mechanical part and its manufacturing program is eminently automated. The part’s mechanical facets are elucidated using the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software and then translated into manufacturing commands by CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software, transforming the resulting commands into particular instructions required for a specific machine to produce the component.

Noble Precision’s use of advanced technology and domain expert team have the capacity to accommodate the manufacturing of intricate and large-scale prototypes and components. With high-value production and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, quality and accuracy are prime features, resulting in affordable productions for all manufacturing units.

To further discuss our capabilities with respect to 5-axis simultaneous CNC machining, call Noble Precision today at 416-938-6455 or contact us to schedule a consultation on your specific precision manufacturing requirements.

Injection Molding Process

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Many plastic products used in our daily life are fabricated using injection molding process. It involves the injection of plastic material into a mold. The key advantage of this process is the ability to manufacture products in large scale at low cost. This process is also suitable for a wide variety of products varying in size, complexity, and application.

Injection Molding Process

Mold designing is the most important factor in determining the quality of the finished product. Molding conditions such as the injection speed, barrel temperature, mold temperature, and the quality of the mold are also kept into consideration. These can considerably change the appearance, dimensions, and other properties of the molded products.

Many thin-walled parts for various applications are produced using injection molding process. These parts are used in household appliances, automotive dashboards, and consumer electronics. Several other items such as plastic toys, medical devices, including syringes are also produced using injection molding process.

The injection molding process requires the use of an injection molding machine, raw material (usually plastic), and a mold. The material is injected in the machine where it is heated and pushed into the mold. It then cools and takes the shape of the mold. The steps involved in this process are described below in length.

Steps in Injection Molding Process

The process cycle for injection molding is very short, using high pressure injection of the material into a mold, where it is shaped. Complete process usually takes 2 seconds to 2 minutes, divided into various stages. These are: clamping, injection, dwelling, cooling, mold opening, and ejection.

Clamping – The first step starts with the holding of the mold tool together under pressure. This is done by the clamping unit which securely closes the two halves of the mold against the pressure of the melted materials being injected, avoiding the resin from spilling out.

When attached to the mold machine, one half is left free to slide. When the material is injected, the clamping unit pushes the halves together allowing them to be held tight. The moving and fixed platens of the injection molding machine work on hydraulic powers. Time taken to close and clamp the mold is dependent upon the machine. Larger machines take longer.

There are two types of clamping methods: toggle and straight-hydraulic type. The first is a conventional system which uses link mechanism. Immediate drawback here is lack of perfection. Slippage can cause damage to the molds created by this method. The second method is suitable for high tonnage machines providing molding stability and minimal inconsistencies.

Injection – The function of this section is to inject the material into the mold. The material, which is in the pallet form, is injected into the barrel of the injection molding machine. As the barrel is surrounded by heat, the pallets melt.

The amount of material that is injected is called shot. Due to the complexity and changing flow of the molten material, it is difficult to calculate the exact injection time. However, the volume of the material and injection pressure & power do indicate this duration.

Dwelling – After the molten material is injected into the mold, pressure is applied to ensure all cavities are filled. This pressure pushes the pallets toward the mold, where it takes the shape. Pressure and the rate of injection can be controlled by the hydraulic system of the machine.

Cooling – The molten plastic inside the mold is allowed to cool and solidify. It takes the shape of the mold and remains intact until the part is cooled. The part may shrink a little during this process. The cooling time can be calculated from the thickness and the thermodynamic properties of the material.

Mold opening – As soon as the cooling time is over, the mold opens from the sliding section, pushing out the created part.

Ejection – The last step is to remove the cooled part from the mold. Force is applied here because the part gets stuck to the mold when cooled.

Once the process is complete, finishing touch is definitely required.

Advantages of Injection Molding Process

  • Injection molding can manufacture good number of parts per hour
  • Consistency in the product
  • Highly accurate
  • Allows the manufacturing of complex products in different shapes and designs
  • Fast production
  • Wide range of plastic materials can be used
  • Can also be used to manufacture very small parts
  • Complete flexibility with the design
  • Mass production is possible
  • Waste can be reused as most plastics recycle
  • Color and material flexibility
  • High tolerances are repeatable
  • In future, reproduction of the manufactured items is also possible
  • Reduced work load
  • Cost effective as this is an automated process. Hence, labor cost is low.

Disadvantages of Injection Molding Process

  • Initial cost to prepare the tool for injection molding is high
  • Designs must be created before any process begins which can delay the production
  • Part design restriction
  • Molds are made of metal and hence, difficult to modify
  • Can be costly if used for less number of productions

The Various Types of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinery

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Cutting-Edge Technology: Multi-Axis Simultaneous CNC Machining and Its Benefits

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) MachineWhen it comes to working with different types of metals, the processes of parts fabrication and metal removal have advanced greatly from the days of manually-operated machinery. What were once felt to be somewhat protracted and inexact procedures have now become much more efficient and highly precise manufacturing methods.

The advent and proliferation of computer numerical control (or CNC) machines has clearly transformed the manufacturing of many metal products; this technology, which includes multiple-axis simultaneous machining that is operated or controlled by specialized computer software, now permits the manufacturing of parts and components that were once deemed to be highly impractical from the standpoints of size, time, and/or cost.

This cutting-edge CNC machining technology requires just a single set-up for simultaneous milling and drilling of parts/components along multiple axes; it has consequently improved the metal removal and metal manufacturing processes in several ways:

  • Faster cycle times
  • Superior cost efficiency
  • Reduced production times
  • Accelerated delivery times
  • Improved quality/tolerances
  • Many tools working concurrently

The most common types of CNC Machinery and their primary applications include:

  • 5-axis – CNC machining is done along three perpendicular axes and two rotary axes
  • 6-axis – CNC machining is done along three perpendicular axes and three rotary axes
  • Lathes – for production of 3D shapes/molds; automatically programmed tool changes
  • Routers – used for cutting complex/intricate shapes and prototypes from metal sheets
  • Milling – most widely used CNC machines; predominantly for drilling and turning metals
  • Plasma Cutters – utilized for cutting 2D shapes and molds; need less power than routers
  • Laser Cutters – operate similar to plasma cutters, using a laser instead of a plasma torch

CNC MachineNoble Precision has invested significantly in these technologies in order to give their clients access to the broadest possible range of precision manufacturing solutions. Through their applications of 5-axis and 6-axis simultaneous CNC machining, and the various other types of CNC machinery, Noble Precision is able to deliver the most precise fabrication of complex and/or large-scale metal parts, components, molds, and prototypes – and in a cost-efficient manner.

To learn more about the advantages of multi-axis CNC machining technologies, please visit our Advantages of Multi-Axis CNC Machining page. 

CNC Machining Services for Practical Solutions to Precision Manufacturing Needs

The CNC machining services offered by the specialists at Noble Precision can be applied with a variety of metals, including:

  • Zinc
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Titanium
  • Aluminum
  • Stainless Steel
  • Galvanized Steel

As a result, Noble Precision offers the capability to meet the precision metal manufacturing needs, ranging from prototypes to high-volume production runs, of companies that compete in or supply parts/components to industries that include but are not limited to:

  • Aviation
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Construction
  • Transportation
  • Military Defense
  • Home Appliances
  • Medical Instrumentation

For more information on Noble Precision’s capabilities relative to precise CNC machining, visit our CNC Machining Technologies page. 

The CNC machining services available from Noble Precision can provide practical solutions to complex precision metal manufacturing needs. Call the multi-axis CNC machining experts from Noble Precision today at 647-499-7569 or Contact us to schedule a consultation on the full scope of our capabilities.

Understanding the Application and Benefits of Progressive Metal Stamping

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Precision of the Tools and Dies is Vitally Important in Progressive Metal Stamping

Progressive Metal StampingPrior to the Industrial Revolution, most manufactured products were built and assembled by a single craftsman, or perhaps a team of craftsmen, who worked on every aspect of an item from start to finish. Depending on the specific product, this could be a rather painstaking and protracted process, and one that would not be very favourable to reproducibility and/or high-volume outputs.

The advent of the assembly line had a significant impact on the manufacturing process. By advancing a semi-finished item from workstation to workstation, pieces could be added in sequence until the final product was completed; this method, sometimes called progressive assembly, introduced numerous benefits and improvements for workers and their employers and in the quality of the products themselves.

Such is the principle behind progressive metal stamping, the process of creating metal parts or products by employing multiple metal-shaping methods, tools, and/or dies in a particular series of steps. Progressive metal stamping utilizes an automated feeding system to move the metal through these various steps, or workstations so to speak; each step creates one part or product feature leading to the final steps of the process, which may include cleaning or polishing the item and/or trimming away any excess material.

Some of the metal-shaping techniques commonly used in progressive metal stamping are:

  • Coining – application of high force or pressure to create a shape by displacing metal
  • Bending – an operation commonly used to achieve and maintain right (or 90o) angles
  • Punching – producing holes in a metal using a punch press and counter-supportive die
  • Wireforming – the process of bending/shaping a component from a roll of gauged wire
  • Fine Blanking – to achieve features often not possible via conventional cutting/punching
  • Deep Drawing – transforming metal into shapes in which depth is greater than diameter

The progressive stamping process can be applied for a variety of metals, including:

  • Aluminum
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Galvanized Steel
  • Hot and Cold Rolled Steel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Titanium
  • Zinc

As stated earlier, this metal stamping methodology offers several benefits in the precision manufacturing of parts or products; the most salient of these advantages would consist of:

  • Offering high – volume production capabilities
  • Materials efficiency – less scrap/metal wastage
  • Time efficiency – one set-up, multiple operations
  • Production efficiency – faster cycle times per part
  • Flexibility – multiple forms/lines/shapes with one operation
  • Less downtime – fewer tooling changes, longer production runs
  • Precision Stamping – enhanced repeatability, fewer failed parts/products
  • Cost-effectiveness – lower cost per part, accelerated production, higher output

Whether the production specifications are designed to produce intricate micro-components or large-size body panels for cars or aircraft, the need for precision in the progressive metal stamping process is critically important. This in turn will be driven by the accuracy and the quality of the associated tools and dies; this latter requirement can be satisfied through the precision manufacturing capabilities/services of Noble Precision, afforded by their significant investment in state-of-the-art technology, including multi-axis simultaneous CNC machines and corresponding CAD/CAM software.

State-of-the-Art Technology to Meet Any Degree of Metal Stamping Die Needs

As a result of their substantial investment, Noble Precision offers the capability to meet the metal stamping die requirements of their customers, to any degree of complexity including exclusive or unique/one-of-a-kind designs. Through the application of this state-of-the-art technology, Nobel Precision can design and/or produce the most precise metal stamping dies for manufacturers across a wide range of industries, including but not limited to:

  • Aerospace
  • Electronics
  • Automotive
  • Military Defense
  • Home Appliances
  • Medical Instrumentation

For additional information on the capabilities of Noble Precision relative to the production of metal stamping dies, visit our Stamping Dies Technologies page. 

Noble Precision’s multi-axis simultaneous CNC technologies can deliver practical solutions to complex precision manufacturing needs. Call the precision metal fabrication experts from Noble Precision at 647-499-7569 or Contact us to learn more about our capabilities with respect to the production of metal stamping dies.

The Advantages of Multi-Axis CNC Machining

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Multi-Axis CNC Machining Produces Complex Parts with Precision, High Tolerances

CNC MachineOne can only imagine how long it must have taken armorers and ironsmiths/blacksmiths in the medieval or renaissance ages to outfit a legion of soldiers with armor plate. In addition to what was likely a very labour-intensive and time-consuming process, it would have been quite challenging to produce multiple pieces with any degree of uniformity, precision, and/or quality, primarily through the use of hand tools.

Industrialization, the use of steam-powered, special-purpose machinery in dedicated factory settings that began in the late 1700s, marked a clear shift to what became known as mass production, and paved the way for numerous mechanical and technological advancements over the next 300 years; to wit, the armorers and blacksmiths of yore would be astounded by the present-day technologies that are available for cutting, shaping, and removing metal. 

Precision machining, specifically CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, has become one of the most important techniques used in the manufacturing sector today. This involves the automation/automatic control of machine tools through precise computer-programmed commands, with minimal or reduced human intervention, to improve production quality and precision/accuracy; the sophistication of such machining has evolved to an extent that parts or components can be produced by simultaneous milling and drilling along multiple axes, as many as five, six, in a single set-up without the need to pause the process or manually exchange any tools.

This degree of complex manufacturing is driven by the use of CAD-CAM computer software, which is the integration of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs. It is this software that controls/commands the multi-axis CNC machines to repeatedly produce precise, high-tolerance parts and components.

There are numerous benefits to the application of multi-axis CNC machining; these include:

  • Lowered labour costs
  • Reduction of scrap/waste
  • Mass production capabilities
  • Faster cycle/production times
  • Capacity for continuous operation
  • Repeatability (little risk of deviation)
  • Inclusion of automatic assembly features
  • Increased production efficiency (high tolerances)
  • Flexibility to make changes easily and economically

Indeed, the development and application of computer-controlled and multi-axis technologies have completely transformed the metal machining industry, from the laborious practices of centuries past to the mass production of precise and high-tolerance parts and components in a cost-effective and time-efficient fashion.

Capitalize on Cutting-Edge Technology to Address Complex Manufacturing Needs

CNC Axis MachiningWhile the benefits of multi-axis CNC machining can be rather substantial, capital investment in this technology could be a limiting factor for many manufacturers. Fortunately, precision manufacturing firms, such as Noble Precision, provide a viable option to use CNC machining for complex production needs in a more cost-effective manner.

Noble Precision’s significant investment in cutting-edge technology, most notably in 5-axis simultaneous CNC machines as well as the latest in CAD-CAM software, offers their clients direct access to the most advanced and precise CNC machining services currently available. 

Whether the client’s requirements are the development of a prototype, a one-time precision manufacturing solution, or high-volume production runs, the CNC machining experience and capabilities provided by Noble Precision will deliver the utmost benefit with respect to:

  • Accuracy
  • Efficiencies
  • Delivery times
  • High tolerances

See our CNC Machining page for further insight on the advantages of utilizing the multi-axis CNC machining capabilities offered by Noble Precision.

Multi-axis CNC machining offers practical solutions to your complex precision manufacturing needs.  Capitalize on the most advanced and precise CNC machining capabilities available by engaging the expertise and cutting-edge technology provided by Noble Precision. Call the precision manufacturing experts from Noble Precision at 647-499-7569 or Contact us to request a no-obligation consultation.

The Advantages of Gun Drilling

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Gun Drilling Produces Deep Holes Beyond the Limits of Conventional Twist Drills

Tarus Gun Drilling MachineThe term gun drilling originates from the era when gun manufacturing included boring holes in solid rolls of steel in order to produce the barrels. This would likely have been a laborious task, not to mention potentially suspect in terms of its effect on a weapon’s firing accuracy.

Today, while the name remains unchanged, the process of gun drilling has developed into a very practical and efficient methodology for boring holes of varying depth and diameter into several types of hardened materials, including:

  • Steel
  • Plastics
  • Titanium
  • Aluminum
  • Other Ferrous and Non Ferrous Alloys

In the gun drilling process, the cutting tool, or gun drill bit, is in effect a fluted solid rod that has a hole bored lengthwise through its center and grooves along the length of its exterior. As a drilling operation proceeds, coolant is pumped through the central hole to facilitate the movement of the bit while also removing/flushing chips away from the cutting face through those external grooves. 

As an aside, this gun drilling technology should not be confused with the single-tube system (known as STS) in which coolant is introduced around the outside of the cutting tool/bit and the chips are removed through the center of the tool. In this respect, STS systems can be described as the inverse of gun drilling. It should also be noted that STS is often referred to as BTA drilling, derived from the Boring and Trepanning Association that initially developed this particular methodology.

Some of the more common applications for Gun Drilling include the production of:

  • Various firearms
  • Special molds and dies
  • Medical and surgical devices
  • Woodwind instruments (bagpipes)
  • Engine parts (crankcase, cylinder head)

Gun drilling machinery is designed and constructed to produce deep holes beyond the limits of conventional twist drills; through the use of multi-axis Computer Numeric Control (CNC) drills, precision manufacturing services providers such as Noble Precision in Toronto can effectively apply this process to drill holes up to 96” in length and up to 3” in diameter.

Multi-Axis CNC Gun Drilling to Support Complex Precision Manufacturing Needs

Noble Precision’s substantial financial investment in state-of-the-art technology, including its multi-axis CNC horizontal gun drilling machines, enables clients to achieve viable and highly cost-effective manufacturing solutions across an extensive array of deep-hole drilling needs. These precision gun drills can produce holes in much greater depth-to-diameter ratios than conventional twist drills; furthermore, the output from Noble Precision’s gun drilling services will include bores/holes that are:

  • Burr-free
  • Smooth-finished
  • Precisely centered
  • Delivered with high tolerances
  • Produced to exact specifications

Based on the broad scope of its gun drilling capabilities, Noble Precision can help support the deep-hole drilling requirements of manufacturers in/associated with such industries as:

  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Military Defense
  • Natural Resources
  • Medical Instruments
  • Heavy Equipment Manufacturing

For additional information on the benefits of utilizing the multi-axis CNC gun drilling services offered by Noble Precision, visit our Gun Drilling page. 

Noble Precision’s multi-axis CNC gun drilling services can provide practical solutions to your complex precision manufacturing needs. Call the precision gun drilling experts from Noble Precision at 647-499-7569 or Contact us to learn more about our capabilities and discuss how we can best support your custom manufacturing needs.

The Many Advantages of Injection Molding

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Injection Molding Offers a Wide Range of Production and Environmental Benefits

Advantages of Injection MoldingPerhaps surprising to today’s consumers, there was a period when industrial manufacturing companies produced the majority of their products, parts, containers, etc. from glass, steel, or metals such as tin and copper. These types of materials certainly served their purposes, but often tended to make finished items heavier in weight, susceptible to breakage/damage, or non-reusable.

Over the past several decades though, while there are still some products that are made of glass, steel, or metals, consumers have become accustomed to purchasing and using many goods that are predominantly or wholly manufactured using some form of plastic material or a rubber or elasticized substance; these items are often lighter in weight yet quite durable, and many can also be recycled or reclaimed instead of clogging up landfill or waste disposal sites. And, perhaps of primary importance to consumers, the majority of these newer-age products are frequently less expensive than their predecessors as well.

Much of this transition, so to speak, can be associated with an increased use of the injection molding process within industrial manufacturing. Injection molding, in its basic definition, is a method for producing parts or products by injecting a substance into a pre-designed mold.  This type of production can be employed with a assortment of substances, such as metal, glass, and rubber, although a variety of plastics are the most commonly used materials; in this respect, manufacturers may explicitly refer to this process as plastic injection molding.

There are numerous advantages to the application of an injection molding process, such as:

  • Lower labour costs
  • Minimal scrap or waste
  • Mass production capabilities
  • Faster cycle/production times
  • Parts shapes can be almost limitless
  • Repeatability (non-operator-dependent)
  • High tolerances – minimal need for finishing
  • Flexibility – one mold, different product colours/textures

An additional and rather topical or contemporary advantage of the injection molding process relates to its overall environmental impact.  Due to recent technological advancements, this manufacturing methodology uses 20-50% less energy than just a decade ago; furthermore, lighter-weight plastics are replacing heavier metals/steel in the production of motor vehicles and aircraft, thereby resulting in reduced fuel consumption and improved energy efficiency.

One further example where cost-efficiencies and energy-efficiencies can be achieved by this process pertains specifically to a methodology called two-shot injection molding.  Applying this variation gives manufacturers the capability to more produce complex parts/items using two different materials during the same production run or cycle; this requires the rotation of two molds during that cycle then adding a secondary material to the original piece/part via the second mold in order to fabricate products that are high-quality, ergonomically shaped, and/or aesthetically appealing.

Injection Molds and Other Mold-Making Services to Support Your Production Needs

As noted above, injection molding requires the use of a pre-designed mold or, in the case of two-shot injection molding, two pre-designed molds.  Hence, from a manufacturer’s point of view, their ability to fully capitalize on the operational and financial benefits associated with their injection molding processes/services will rely heavily on the precision of those molds.

Noble Precision has the capabilities to create the precision molds their clients need to meet their respective production specifications; skilled designers from Noble Precision can develop such molds to accommodate the following materials used in the injection molding process:

  • Plastics
  • Molten metals
  • Thermoplastics
  • Rubber/other polymers

This expertise is supported by Noble Precision’s substantial financial investment in state-of-the-art technology, most notably in 5-axis simultaneous CNC machines as well as the latest in CAD/CAM software, hence offering their clients access to the most advanced and precise machining capabilities and services.

Furthermore, Noble Precision’s proficiencies in mold-making are not limited to the injection molding process only; their services in this area include the design and creation of precision molds used in other types of manufacturing processes such as:

All of the high-precision molds manufactured by Noble Precision will help deliver the utmost production efficiencies for their clients including time and cost savings, waste reduction, and high tolerances.  Further information on the mold-making capabilities of Noble Precision is available by visiting our Mold Making Services page. 

For accurate molds to support the production of high-quality and high-tolerance parts/goods through injection molding or other types of manufacturing processes, Call the mold-making specialists at Noble Precision at 647-499-7569 or Contact us to request a no-obligation consultation.