During product development, the application of hardware moulds is very common. From mould repair to trial mould, these operations, although tedious, are crucial. Understanding different types of hardware moulds and their applications helps to optimize product design and improve production efficiency. This article will delve into the classification and characteristics of hardware moulds to help you make more suitable choices in design and production.
Hardware moulds can be divided into several categories based on their process properties. Each type of mould is suitable for different processing needs and product characteristics. Understanding these classifications helps in selecting the right mould to meet specific production requirements.
Hardware moulds in punching are used to separate materials along specific contour lines, often to manufacture parts of various shapes and sizes. These include:
Blanking mould: Used to cut materials into specific shapes and sizes, suitable for the production of flat parts or simple shapes.
Punching mould: Used to punch small holes in materials, suitable for parts requiring small holes, such as mechanical or electronic parts.
Cutting mould: Used to cut materials to specified lengths, manufacturing parts that require specific lengths.
Notching mould: Used to cut specific shapes and sizes into the material, suitable for parts requiring special shapes.
Trimming mould: Used to trim the edges of materials into specific shapes, often for parts requiring smooth edges.
Slitting mould: Used to cut materials into multiple thin sections, suitable for manufacturing sheet-like parts.
Hardware moulds in bending are used to bend sheets or other blanks along straight lines to form specific angles and shapes. Common applications include manufacturing bent tubes, plates, and rods, among others. These moulds can provide precise bending angles to meet the needs of various structural components.
Hardware moulds in drawing are used to make sheet metal into open hollow parts or to further change the shape and size of hollow parts. These moulds are suitable for producing cups, bowls, plates, and lids of various shapes, especially important when there's a need to change the internal shape of parts.
Hardware moulds in forming are used to directly replicate the shape of a blank or semi-finished workpiece according to the shape of the mould, with only local plastic deformation of the material. They mainly include:
Expansion mould: Used to partially expand materials into specific shapes, manufacturing expanded valves or turbines, and other parts.
Necking mould: Used to partially shrink materials into specific shapes, suitable for making necked tubes or necked cups.
Flare mould: Used to partially expand materials into specific shapes, suitable for making flared tubes or flared bottles.
Embossing mould: Used to create raised or sunken patterns on materials, suitable for manufacturing embossed plates or strips.
Flanging mould: Used to bend the edges of materials into specific shapes, suitable for making flanged cylinders or flanged lids.
Shaping mould: Used to shape the materials locally into specific shapes, suitable for manufacturing shaped cylinders or shaped plates.
Choosing the right type of hardware mould is crucial for product design and manufacturing. Each mould type has its specific application scenarios and advantages. For example, punching moulds are suitable for mass production of simple-shaped parts, while forming moulds are suitable for complex parts that require precise local deformation. Understanding these mould classifications and characteristics during product design can help you make more informed design decisions, ensuring a smooth production process.
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