Mollart says that the operation has been such a success that the customer has now ordered a second machine.
Explains sales director Ian Petitt: “The enquiry initially came from the IMTS exhibition in Chicago last year with the order won because Mollart’s application team was able to double existing drill penetration rates the company had been using.
Once the machine was built, Mollart’s application team then carried out further process development for the customer in conjunction with specialist tooling partner Botek. As a result, the penetration rates of the drills were increased from two to five times the original method used by the moulding company.
Adds Petitt: “Even at these enhanced penetration rates, our developed process is holding the straightness of holes within 0.2 mm which is critical in the mould as certain holes are very close to outer surfaces and other features in the moulds.”
In Mexico, the new machine is drilling four moulds per cycle which further increases the productivity levels achieved. Due to the inherent rigidity in the construction and power available, tool penetration rates and straightness of hole was able to be maintained with improved levels of tool life.