Continued from P45
Laser Textures Molds as Large as a Full-Size Car
C
ustom Etch Inc. (New Castle, PA), a 35-person shop, has special- ized in chemical etching since 1982. However, in 2011 the shop made a bold move to signifi cantly expand its capabilities beyond chemical etching and invested in advanced fi ve-axis laser-texturing systems. Fast-forward to the present, and Custom Etch now currently holds the distinction of being the fi rst US shop to own one of the industry’s largest laser-texturing systems. With a working envelope big enough to park a full-size car, this recently added system has produced a signifi cant increase in the company’s automotive business. After only a month of testing and training on the large machine, the shop began using it for production work. The new system increased revenue 15% in 2014, and Don Melonio Jr., vice president, expects that number to increase to 25% in 2015. The need for such a massive machine grew out of the desire of automakers to texture in- terior components that were previously grained using laser-textured foils. These foils were then wrapped onto master models used to create tooling. This is an expensive and time-consuming process and not without its fl aws. “What the laser allows automakers to do is choose textures that prior to this technology were impossible with tradi- tional machined tooling,” said Melonio. “So now with laser texturing, we can add aesthetics where it was previously impos-
sible. And, because you’re taking the labor component out of the texturing, you’re also reducing time to market. Laser textur- ing of large components can result in signifi cant time savings versus chemical etching, while cost remains virtually the same.”
High-Performance Turning VivaTurn2 Standard Features
• FANUC 0i-TD Control • 45 Degree Slant Bed Casting • 10” Hydraulic Chuck • 22” Swing over Bed • 3” Spindle Bore • Chip Conveyor • Tool Setter • 12- Position Tool Turret • Optional Live Tool Turret
Starting under $68,000
www.smtcl-americas.com |
info@smtcl-americas.com | 626-667-1192
February 2015 |
AdvancedManufacturing.org 51
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