People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive

Re:People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive by hahamrfunnyguy on Monday January 22, 2018 @02:12PM (#16207013)

I've always found these machine fascinating, never seen one in person though. I am surprised the molds are aluminum instead of steel. Typically aluminum molds are considered suitable for smaller runs only. If they do 100 parts a day that's 36.5K cycles per year.

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Re:People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive by anfractuosity on Monday January 22, 2018 @03:00PM (#16207382)

Why is aluminium considered suitable for smaller runs only out of interest?

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Re:People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive by mcphage on Monday January 22, 2018 @03:04PM (#16207420)

Aluminum is softer than steel, so the mold wears out quicker—the models lose details.

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Re:People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive by anfractuosity on Monday January 22, 2018 @03:18PM (#16207537)

Ah cheers that makes sense. One thing I was wondering would they use stainless steel for moulds, to prevent them rusting?

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Re:People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive by TylerE on Monday January 22, 2018 @04:10PM (#16207936)

Nope, "real" molds are made out of tool steel. Corrosion isn't really a problem since machines are typically stored indoors.

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Re:People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive by RyJones on Monday January 22, 2018 @03:12PM (#16207490)

and it's much cheaper to work. If you're only doing a couple thousand moldings, you don't care as much about mold life

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Re:People Keeping Mold-A-Rama Alive by JKCalhoun on Tuesday January 23, 2018 @01:34AM (#16211499)

The casting material is so soft, I suspect the molds are barely perturbed.

Might the thermal properties of aluminum make it a better choice for these quick turnaround castings? Quick to heat, quick to cool.

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