Aluminium Mould Plate Introduction |
As the undisputed world leader in aluminium alloy products, Signi Aluminium is uniquely placed in terms of expertise and
resources to develop advanced Specialised alloys for aerospace, marine, transport, construction, industrial And
engineering applications. Using Signi moulds rather than steel substantially reduces production costs in several ways: |
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Faster and less costly fabrication |
| Being so much easier to machine, Signi moulds can typically be made in a third of the time of a steel equivalent, with corresponding savings in fabrication costs. (Ancillary components such as fittings, pillars and bushes are cost neutral, as conventional steel components can be used) |
Lower operational costs |
| Signi moulds weigh anything up to 60% less than steel equivalents, so They are easier to handle and stock, and exert less strain on your process machinery. As well as extending press life in this way, specifying Signi also reduces your expenditure on tooling, machinery set-up, mould maintenance and ongoing consumables. |
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Massive productivity gains |
| The thermal conductivity of aluminium being many times higher than steel means that Signi moulds can cut moulding cycle times - and therefore increase output - by between 30 and 50%. |
Out standing thermal properties |
| The thermal conductivity, or even better thermal diffusivity, of aluminium alloys characterises the main function of molds:
too cool down or heat up. These parameters have a direct influence on the duration of the cycle and dimensional and visual quality of the part. |
Superior machinability and finishing |
| With metal removal rates at least four times greater than steel, Signi has excellent machinability and is easy to spark and wire erode. High performance surface finishes are equally simple to achieve with a wide range of processes including chemical nickel, hard chrome and hard anodising. EDM polishing and photo-etching deliver more uniform results compared to steel, and the consistently reliable microstructural integrity of Signi alloys allows first class mirror finishes to be obtained for optically critical applications |
Higher product quality |
| Superior thermal conductivity allows an Signi mould to cool more evenly, minimizing risk of distortion in the moulded part. Together with lower capital and production costs, total product consistency and a substantially faster time to market, this marked quality gain clinches the business case for choosing Signi As a result of these benefits, one aluminum producer estimates that using aluminum for mold applications can save 30% in cost over steel in mold manufacturing, increasing to 40% if the reduced part production cycle times and hence improved productivity are included. Since there is a range of different conditions under which tool and mold materials must operate, different aluminum alloy and temper combinations have evolved to meet the various needs. Both cast and wrought products are available in a wide range of thickness, widths, and lengths. Each product type has specific characteristics that have been tailored to application needs. |
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