Friction Free Components for Smoother Running Tools

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News for those who Design, Build, and Purchase Production Tooling
Winter Issue 2005
Friction Free Components for
Smoother Running Tools
he demands put on today's molds are much different than the tooling of yesteryear. Reliable performance
and predictable maintenance is required from tools that increasingly are allowed little or no lubrication.
Progressive addresses these needs with the introduction of new components
utilizing Friction Free™ technology.
T
Mold alignment has evolved with the introduction of Progressive’s new
Needle Bearing Locks. Precision needle bearing technology provides
smooth, consistent positioning and unprecedented registration
accuracy. Extensive independent lab testing, followed by evaluations
by leading molders, has proven to show virtually no wear after one
million cycles.
Eliminating wear does more than just reduce the cost of replacing locks.
This series better ensures the alignment of delicate telescoping shut-offs,
thereby extending insert life while limiting potential down time and
costly cavity repairs.
This technology is now available in Side Lock and Top Lock
configurations with items in both inch and metric standards.
Slide retention has similarly been advanced. Progressive’s
exclusive “SRT” series of slide retention technology eliminates the
resistance and abrasive wear associated with other slide locking approaches.
The SRT product line consists of six units with holding power from 10 to 100 pounds. Available in both
inch and metric standard sizes, the SRT’s design features a roller that engages a groove within the
slide assembly. Accelerated cycle testing of the SRT’s engineered springs has confirmed fatigue
life in the millions.
Advantages for the molder include maintenance-free operation and reliable slide retention,
without the cost concern of spring failure and replacing damaged or worn components.
North America:
[1] 800-269-6653
[email protected]
Europe:
[44] 0161-653-4422
[email protected]
Asia:
[65] 6753-3212
[email protected]
www.procomps.com
For the mold builder, simplified installation with nominal bore and thread sizes as well as
the SRT’s compact size, translates into less machine time and reduced mold base size,
while providing to their customers a more reliably performing tool.
While Friction Free components are suitable for any injection mold application, they are
especially advantageous in Clean Room, Medical, Food Packaging, or Electronics
molding environments.
Whether it’s for a mold builder’s bottom line, or a molder’s on-time
delivery scores, contact Progressive for info on these advancements
for today’s tooling.
IN THIS ISSUE
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Friction Free Components
Die Cast Advancements
Time to Update Your Date Stamps
Have a Nice Decade
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Die Cast Advancements
Did You
Know?
▼
o reason to permanently ‘cast’ the design standards for your die cast dies. Not when Progressive
keeps adding to its exclusive Die Cast Tooling program.
N
Q. Do Date Stamp headaches start up
as the year winds down?
A. If holding a handful of mysteries, access
www.procomps.com/DSOrderForm.pdf,
to help identify replacement
date plugs. Or call and
we’ll check our library of
supplier catalogs from
around the world. Then for one
less headache on next year’s January 1,
be sure to specify Progressive, with our
exclusive plug etching for easier identification.
New items now include Retainer Blocks which provide
a standard method of securing common sized spreaders and bushings in zinc die cast tools. Also, new Shot
Blocks and Impact Blocks to provide positive flow of
metal into aluminum die casting tools. Developed through Progressive’s
partnership with Midland Technologies, CAD geometry for these new
standards is available online. Also, new Valve-less Vacuum and Vent Block
additions have now been made.
These new standards, along with our industry-leading line of Ejector Pins,
Hex Daters® and large CamActions®, have more North
American die casters now ‘Thinking Progressive’.
Have a Nice Decade!
T
he first half of this decade was not
kind to many in North American
tooling. The ‘Crash of 2000’ hurt mold
building companies, trade groups,
and training programs widespread.
However, those who weathered the
storms are now looking forward to a
more positive and viable stretch in the
years ahead.
There is a rise in tooling demand for
North America processors, and perhaps
because of shorter time-to-market
windows, more activity for nearby
mold builders.
Accordingly, we see a strengthening in
the trade groups serving North American
mold builders. Also, the SPI Global
Business Council is preparing again for
its traditional Breakfast Briefing at this
June’s NPE, while the Plastics News
Executive Forum in March is expecting
to break past attendance records.
Encouraging signs!
Also encouraging is some airplay that
training is receiving. The SPE’s Mold
Making & Mold Design Division has
further bolstered support for college level
programs through development of its ITQ
Foundation. And recently the AMBA chapter in Minnesota delivered an encouraging
example to its members nationwide when
it described work on a recent ‘career day’,
conducting one-on-one contact with more
than 300 students that are already in
machining programs at technical colleges.
At Progressive, we’re working to
further assist:
• With Executive Development important
to us all, we’re sponsoring programs
such as the Plastics News Executive
Forum as well as Moldmaking
Technology’s Technical Conferences
in Detroit. And on June 20th 2006 at
NPE, Progressive is assisting the SPI
GBC program, which is a ‘must see’
event for those with their eye on
global expansion.
• For Tomorrow’s Toolmakers, since the
founding of our Tooling For Tomorrow
program in 2002, Progressive has donated nearly $150,000 in product donations
and cash contributions, with a recent
example pictured here of $1,000 towards
education received by Kent Smith of
Diamond Tool & Engineering from
Progressive’s Todd Steinhoff.
With the front half of the decade behind
us now, it is with a determined optimism,
shared with our customers, that we not
only have a good 2006, but together
gain strength in the
years ahead.
Entire contents copyright 2005 by Progressive Components International Corporation. All rights reserved. If you would like to
receive this report electronically, please forward your email address to [email protected], or give us a call at 1-800-269-6653.