What are Moulds & Dies ?
Moulds and dies are tools used in manufacturing processes.
- Molds:
- The mold consists of two halves: the cavity and the core. These halves fit together precisely to create a hollow space in the desired shape of the final product.
- The material to be shaped, such as molten plastic, is poured or injected into the mold, allowing it to take on the shape of the cavity.
- Molds can be simple, single-piece designs or complex with multiple parts, depending on the complexity of the product being manufactured.
- They are commonly used in processes like injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, and rotational molding.
- Dies:
- Dies are specialized tools used to shape materials through processes such as cutting, forming, or stamping.
- They are typically made of hardened steel and consist of two parts: the punch and the die.
- The punch is a specially shaped tool that applies force to the material, while the die provides a cavity or support for the material to be shaped.
- Dies are commonly used in industries such as metalworking, where they can be employed for processes like punching, blanking, bending, drawing, and extrusion.
- Depending on the complexity of the operation, dies can be simple, with a single punch and die, or complex, with multiple stages and components.
Both molds and dies are critical for achieving high precision and repeatability in manufacturing processes. They enable mass production of consistent products with the desired shape and dimensions. The design and production of molds and dies require expertise in engineering, toolmaking, and material science to ensure efficient and accurate production processes.