Applications and Functions of Abrasive Tools in Mold Making

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In various industries such as machinery, electronics, automotive, appliances, and telecommunications, the production of metals and stainless steel heavily relies on the use of molds. The quality of mold production is closely tied to the choice of abrasive materials and tools used for product processing. As electronic devices like smartphones and computers continue to shrink in size and increase in precision, the development of molds has played a significant role in this advancement. In this article, we will explore the application and function of abrasive materials in mold making.

Manual Grinding Tools and Techniques:

The unique aspect of abrasive material grinding compared to other forms of machining is that it is entirely reliant on manual grinding machines. Hence, the skill level of the operator plays a crucial role. The selection of grinding wheel grit size, determination of grinding wheel dressing level, control of manual feed amount, and other factors are all based on experience.

The three main categories of abrasive materials in mold making are:

1. Fine Grinding: Fine grinding typically involves the use of 100# or 120# grinding wheels. Besides achieving a fine surface finish, it may also be necessary to create specific grooves. The shape retention of the grinding wheel is highly important in this process.

2. Corner Clearing: Corner clearing involves using a specialized 320# grinding wheel, ground to a very thin thickness, such as 0.02mm. Then, grooves are cut, followed by dressing. The bottom diameter of the groove needs to be cleared to R0.03mm.

3. Coarse Grinding: Coarse grinding typically involves using a 46# grain grinding wheel. The main objective is to grind the cut workpiece to the required dimensions, achieving the desired flatness and smoothness.

While the grinding processes for coarse and fine grinding have become standardized, there are still instances where new materials require different types of grinding wheels for effective grinding. With cost reduction requirements, domestically produced materials are gradually being adopted.

The most commonly used materials are Cr12MoV and W6Mo5Cr4V2Al. When grinding these domestically produced materials, it is observed that conventional grinding wheels tend to wear more quickly. This is due to changes in the cutting performance and hardness of the materials. In such cases, it is necessary to adjust the type of grinding wheel abrasive and hardness to achieve optimal grinding results. For specific requirements, you can contact the professional technicians at Norton Grinding Wheels for tailored solutions to enhance grinding efficiency and prolong the grinding wheel lifespan.

In addition to the commonly seen 38A white corundum series, the grinding wheel for abrasive material tools also includes the 32A single crystal corundum series and the SG ceramic corundum series. Different materials require the selection of different abrasive grinding wheels. Using a single grinding wheel for all materials often yields sub-optimal results.

The application and function of abrasive materials in mold making are crucial for achieving precise and high-quality results. The manual grinding techniques and the selection of appropriate grinding wheels play a vital role in shaping molds accurately. Understanding the specific requirements for fine grinding, corner clearing, and coarse grinding is essential to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.