MAXIMIZE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE CNC MACHINING OF CABINET FRONTS

HYBRID MANUFACTURING: THE ADVANTAGES OF AN ADDITIVE/SUBTRACTIVE PROCESS
Integrated process of Modelling Paste Extrusion and Milling with the same CNC Machine

As the industry trend is toward larger parts, the key challenge is to find ways to produce parts at lower cost and reduce as much as possible the time-to-market.
A typical way to build large moulds is to prepare a pre-milled substructure with cheaper materials, to give sufficient stiffness to the mould.

 
 

On top of the pre-milled surface, it’s applied a layer of special bi-component paste, providing the final surface.

This “integrated” process can be very efficient, employing a 5-axis CNC machine tool to both APPLY the resin, AND than MILL the surface.
 

Extrusion and milling

Extrusion and milling

Extrusion and milling

   
 

 

HYBRID PROCESS:
SUBTRACTIVE
+ADDITIVE
+SUBTRACTIVE

Using the CNC milling machine in combination with the paste dispenser and applicator, reduces the capital cost, and other requirements.

This process helps utilise assets more efficiently, making the integrated solution an efficient and affordable investment for the toolmaker.

THE MAIN ADVANTAGES of dispensing the paste through a CNC milling machine (against the manual application) are:

  • Paste-Use Optimisation
  • Fewer voids
  • Accurate time and material costings
  • Less costs to build up work-platforms and scaffoldings
  • Faster turn-around time, reducing lead-times, and costs