Fitting Surfaces of Mold Parts This applies to all surfaces of mold parts that abut on other mold parts, but are not in touch with plastic. Usually, grinding or fine machining surfaces are required where the dimensions stack up and their sum must be held to close tolerances. Otherwise, ordinary turning and milling surfaces are sufficient. We have dwelled on the finishing of mold parts to highlight the importance of properly specifying how and where a mold (mold part) needs to be finished (polished) because of the cost | Previous Page Engravings Copyrighted Materials 1 Copyright 2006 Hanser Publishers Retrieved from I 31 Fitting Surfaces of Mold Parts This applies to all surfaces of mold parts that abut on other mold parts but are not in touch with plastic. Usually grinding or fine machining surfaces are required where the dimensions stack up and their sum must be held to close tolerances. Otherwise ordinary turning and milling surfaces are sufficient. We have dwelled on the finishing of mold parts to highlight the importance of properly specifying how and where a mold mold part needs to be finished polished because of the cost. The mold designer should analyze whether the finishing specifications shown on the product design are realistic and really necessary for the functioning or use of the product and discuss it with the product designer. This can result in great savings reduced delivery time and improved productivity output of the mold . All agreed-upon finish specifications must be shown on the finally approved product drawing. SPE Society of Plastics Engineers provides a series of standard finishing specifications which can also be translated into finish in microns thousands of a millimeter . They are a good method of specifying finishes but additional information may be required on the drawing to clearly specify for which areas these specifications apply. The mold designer should never accept a general finish unless it is easy to produce or the cost of it will be factored in the mold cost. Engravings The term engravings covers lettering lines ornaments logos and others. Engravings Versus Applied Labels Engravings in the mold represent a one-time cost therefore in the long run the cost of the finished product is less than the cost of applying labels made from paper or plastic film to the molded product. If the labels are applied in a separate operation this cost must be added to the cost of the product. In some operations the
