wanted to integrate the software already in situ. For instance, the software in the much quoted ‘Cloud’ – a phenomenon of actual programming, but one which only a few programmers try use. There are a lot of small changes and new comforts in the new 3DTubeCAD tube software. ‘Easy handling“ and the high mobility of new technologies is the flexibility of Windows 8, to which 3DTubeCAD was adapted, but it also runs under Windows 7. Pull-down menus are no longer word commands, but


icons to click on. The software does not necessarily need a computer with a key board, it runs also on a tablet computer with touchscreen – in wireless use. It is robot and freehand capable! Of course, Klaus guarantees quick and competent support in emergency situations, as well as for maintenance and updates for this new 3DTubeCAD tube software. Furthermore he will be a personal contact person for those who have questions regarding tube software. The new modern 3DTubeCAD was


released in March 2014, and further information may be found on „3dtubecad.com“. The software works with a


new freehand measuring system, developed for measurements in spacious working areas, where the leapfrog function of most measuring systems may be too cumbersome, and which may be less precise, due to the repetitive interruption of the measurement procedure. With the Preci 3D gun it is possible to measure tactile and a with infrared fork, easy to


Increasing competitiveness with copper alloys


In the field of plastic injection molds, producers are very careful when it is time to decide which basic material should be used for their molds. Up to now, some companies still use conventional tool steels, but if this material is less expensive for the buyers’ side, it still presents a lot of inconveniencies compared to high conductivity copper alloys.


A high conductivity copper alloy is within the context of this article, a copper based material that through a combination of alloying and manufacturing techniques, retains the higher thermal conductivity that is inherent in copper, but with a degree of hardness that allows it to be used in the machined condition within a production environment. The Swiss based company Ampco


Metal celebrates its 100th birthday this year, is specialized in copper alloys, and is recognized worldwide for copper alloys. But what are the real benefits


whilst using copper alloys? Mr. Luis J. Bento, Chairman of Ampco Metal, explains: “Cycle time can be reduced by at least 20 percent, and some users report reductions of up to 80 percent, resulting from the significantly faster cooling rates achieved with Ampcoloy® alloys. This means that productivity can be increased by at least 25 percent, with some users in the automobile headlight production industry


reporting up to a 500 percent production increase simply because a reduced cycle time means more components can be made per shift.” But, gains in productivity can not only be also achieved due to their conductivity. The excellent polishing ability of the alloys has been proven when used in contact lens packaging manufacture, which requires the packaging to be transparent so the lenses can be checked through the packaging. Such high quality plastic packaging is achieved with high conductivity copper alloy inserts that are highly polished. The polishing time of such inserts has proven to be four times faster than steel inserts, and the cycle time to be reduced by 57%.


Reduced warpage - part warpage


can be greatly reduced as, with the improved cooling, the molded component spends less time at an elevated temperature. Thus the number and severity of “hot spots” within the mold are reduced and part quality is greatly improved.


This means for the producer more constant part quality, shot after shot. Heat removal - Due to the superior


thermal transfer characteristics - high conductivity copper alloys, (typically five to 10 times better than steel), heat can be moved away from sensitive areas of the mold at such a rate that the need for complex cooling channels in the immediate location of the molded component is reduced, or eliminated altogether. Because the number of cooling channels required in the tool is less, the machining costs of the molds can be greatly reduced—up to four times less than that of a comparable cooling rate on a steel mold. Diffusivity - High quality copper alloys absorb the heat wave in a mold when a plastic part is injected. The initial absorption of the heat wave is a key factor. Heat removal in the backstage with the cooling system leaves plenty of time to do it. This is what the alloys really stand for— absorbing the first heat wave, shot after shot.


www.internationalmetaltube.com Coating - In order to increase wear


resistance, the high quality copper alloys can be very easily coated with electroless nickel, hard chrome or even PVD (physical vapor deposition) coatings. Electroless nickel allows the coating to penetrate into each and every hole with a constant coating thickness, which is not the case with a galvanic process, such as hard chrome plating. Hardness of up to 60 to 70 HRC can be achieved. For easier plastic part removal when demolding, electroless nickel can be combined with Teflon (PTFE) or boron nitride. Such mold parts have a surface that feels as slippery as soap when coated with PTFE or boron nitride electroless nickel, which results in molded plastic parts that will not stick and that will demold very easily.


More information on Ampco Metal S.A. t.: +41 26 439 93 00 f: +41 26 439 93 01 info@ampcometal.com www.ampcometal.com


IMT April/May 2014 21


manoeuvre with a pistol grip. The Preci 3D Scan is a laser, which is integrated into a voluminous handle. Preci 3D Robogun is specifically developed for Robot-measurement, Robot Teaching and Real Time Robot Tracking. Normal measuring arms and measuring cells can also be interfaced to 3DTubeCAD. www.3dtubecad.com


3DTUBECAD t: +41 56 2493760 f: +41 56 2492878 leistritz@leistritz.ch3


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