Development and optimization of process chains for the micro mold industry: technological limits of the micro milling and micro die-sinking EDM technologies

摘要

The mold-making industry faces nowadays the challenge of selecting the appropriate manufacturing technology for machining micro molds, normally made of high strength and difficult-to-machine steels. This selection of appropriate technology shall consider the productivity, the involved costs, the operating times, form accuracy and surface quality. The industry producing micro molds is facing the challenge of choosing from two technologies available: the micro milling and the die-sinking μ-EDM. With regard to identical cavities, experiments were conducted aiming the comparison of the technological limitations for both technologies, micro milling and die-sinking μ-EDM, in respect to form accuracy of parts, surface quality and machining time.