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.
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.
