DFM | Data management
Figure 1: A schematic tool layout from an example Tool Specifi cation sheet.
Figure 2: Required tool marking indicated on the component
the recycle symbol placed. Sometimes it is found that a marking that is either embossed or recessed on the component is located in the area of a lifter or slider- movement - looking at the graphic would make the tool designer aware of the positions and make sure that this can be balanced this with ejector, slider or lifter locations and even cooling lines. Depending on the completeness of the 2D drawings,
Figure 3: Venting information can also be included in the Tool Specifi cation
other information on the surface structure of the component can be added as well so that the tool designer can also consider separate inserts to allow high gloss or industrial polishing in certain areas of the tool. And the most important page for security of fi lling of the component would be one carrying the venting informa- tion provided from the fl ow study, as shown in Figure 3.
3) Equipment Specifi cation This part of the Tool Specifi cation brings together all information related to the equipment required to produce the part and any special considerations that
must be taken. For example, it will look at the type and size of moulding machine to be used in production, as well as the robotics required for part removal. Drying equipment and mould or part cooling and other temperature control technology can be specifi ed at this point as well. Specifi c requirements for mould tool qualifi cation
can also be laid down in this section, as well as data on the number of sample parts to be delivered and/or measured, at which place the tool needs to be validated, and what acceptance criteria must be reached before tool transfer into production is authorised.
4) Commercial Information Most customers will also include some commercial information as they will use the tool specifi cation sheet for the RFQ phase. All mould tool related deliverables will be specifi ed, such as the full set of drawings to be delivered, sampling phases and the number of samples, parts or production runs to be made. The Tool Specifi cation sheet can, in fact, be used for a number of different tasks. However, looking at it from a purely technical perspective, it is the perfect place to bring together and organise all the data collected during the DFM phase. The DFM records, mould fi lling studies and other reports can be seen as working documents - the Tool Specifi cation sheet is a record showing in one view all of the fi nal decisions made during the DFM process.
About the author: André Eichhorn is general manager of Germany-based AST Technology. This is the latest instalment in a series of articles in which he discusses how product manufac- turing problems can be overcome at the outset of a project by the intelligent application of Design for Manufacturing techniques. You can read the most recent articles in this series here, here, and here.
64 INJECTION WORLD | April 2014
www.injectionworld.com
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