news

NEWS/NEWSLETTERS/Vol.8

Newsletter| Vol. 8 No. 2 August 2003

Mori Seiki Mold Technology:
For the turbulent die and mold market.

The international die and mold market has begun exhibiting global competition thanks to the rapid growth of Asian manufacturing. As we take a look at the two INTERMOLD shows held this past spring, we will also examine Mori Seiki's efforts in the production of dies and molds.

Cell phones and computers, which undergo very rapid model change cycles and next-generation products like energy efficient cars and slim TVs are the fruit of innovation. It would be no exaggeration to say that these new innovations need new die and mold technologies. The die and mold industry is dominated by the US, several EU countries and especially Japan. Japan carries over 40 % of the international die and mold production now has entered an age of true global competition with the entry of China, Korea, Singapore, and other Asian countries into this market.

Amid all this change, INTERMOLD KOREA 2003 held in Seoul and INTERMOLD 2003 held in Tokyo, have been important events in showing where the future lies for this industry. Demand in the die and mold industry is rapidly moving away from skills centered on developed technology and is moving toward an industry based on cutting-edge technology. To keep up with these trends, Mori Seiki is constantly developing new equipment and manufacturing technologies. Our product development is becoming more specialized for dies and molds to improve equipment functionality, utilize multi-axis technology, and incorporate IT communication capability.

One of Mori Seiki's biggest successes in the manufacturing of dies and molds has been the NV5000 high precision vertical machining center. This machine, developed with the goal of creating a new generation standard in terms of both quality and performance, has already sold over 800 units in it's first year . It has truly been an unprecedented hit for a machine tool. It is interesting to note that the majority of NV5000 users have been in the die and mold industry. A whopping 21 % of NV5000 users machine dies and molds. Some of the machine features receiving praise are the superior machine precision and rigidity, high speed and cost-performance amongothers. Small details throughout the design have also been commended, such as the "Z-axis anti-dropping function^*"which raises the cutting tool off the part after a sudden power outage and prevents damage to those expensive workpieces.

On the wings of the NV success, Mori Seiki went on to develop a machine specifically for the die and mold industry. The result is the NVD5000, exhibited at INTERMOLD 2003 in Tokyo. The NVD5000 was redesigned from the ground up, adding such standard features as a 20,000 min^-1 spindle capable of handling high speed milling, an AI nano super high-precision contouring control, an ultra-fast data server that allows transmission of large volumes of data for better communication, and much more. We have trained our sights on the needs of the die and mold machining customer and produce the most advanced machine on the market.

The Mori Seiki booth at INTERMOLD 2003 (Tokyo).

High Precision Vertical Machining Center NV5000.

Z-axis anti-dropping function^*
The spindle rises almost imperceptibly after a power blackouts to prevent workpieces from getting damaged.

AI nano high precision contour control

Die and mold machining using simultaneous 5-axis control.
(The photo shows GV-503/5AX.)

CAM screen.

For the customers challenged with machining complex shapes and short delivery schedules, we also manufacture a 5-axis machining center that enables these parts to be machined from start to finish in a single fixturing. Plus, productivity of these complex die and molds can be improved by tilting the workpiece to reduce tool length, improve tool life, improve the workpiece surface finish, and more. Compared to several years ago, the die and mold industry has seen an increase in the number of customers evaluatingthese alternatives for in house manufacturing in order to increase their companies' competitiveness.

The fact that of the three machines Mori Seiki exhibited at INTERMOLD 2003, two of the machines had 5-axis controls indicates how serious we are about multi-axis machining.

What sets Mori Seiki apart from the other companies in the industry is support. Mori Seiki has placed employees from the Die & Mold Group in six Technical Centers around the world to serve as powerful support and research centers solving customer programming and machining challenges. The die and mold industry is known for its relentless cost-cutting and short delivery schedules. It is no different from any other field. Newer and better production technologies will always be in demand. We here at Mori Seiki intend to continue delivering our customers the best products and services for their needs.

* The gravitational axis anti-dropping function does not work in the following situations.
1. When the feed axis servo alarm has gone off.
2. When the power supply module alarm has gone off.
3. When the communication alarm between

the CNC and the amp has gone off.

4. When the voltage drops slowly and

control of the amp is lost before the power outage is detected.

NV5000 reference data

Change in orders for NV5000
compared with a previous model (SV-50).

One in five machines is used for
machining of dies and molds.


INTERMOLD KOREA 2003 (Korea : Seoul) The NV5000A/40 was exhibited. Reaction to the best-selling NV machines was very strong. Demonstration machining of a cell phone mold attracted a great deal of attention.			INTERMOLD 2003 (Japan : Tokyo) On display were the NVD5000, the definitive answer in die and mold machines, and the 5-axis SuperMILLER400 and SuperTILT 500. A demonstration of a mold base using ultra high speed machining was also done using the VEGA ^TM Milling Edition CAM software for machining centers.

| Top |