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Dies Applications - Extrude Hone
Related Links - AFM | Orbital AFM | Equipment | Contract Services

 

A New Standard of Excellence

Prior to the introduction of the Extrude Hone Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process, the polishing and cleaning of dies, molds, and hot runner systems required extraordinary amounts of time, labor and patience. These crucial and necessary surface finishing steps were once performed by highly skilled craftsmen. Yet despite their skill and dedication, the results of their laborious, hand-finishing efforts were often unpredictable and inconsistent. Our AFM process revolutionized the die and mold industry and set a new standard of excellence by providing an automated, reliable and highly cost-effective alternative to polishing and cleaning dies and molds. Today, more than half of the world’s precision extrusion die and mold manufacturers now rely on Extrude Hone’s AFM process for the production and overall quality gains they provide:
  • » Reduced production costs
  • » Increased production throughput
  • » Enhanced surface uniformity, finish and cleanliness
  • » Improved performance and extend life of dies and molds
  • » Improved performance of end product
Extrude Hone’s AFM processes produce better, more reliable finishes faster and at a much lower cost. The AFM process generates fine surface finishes needed in dies, molds, and hot runner systems that form metal, plastic and glass to ease part formation, release and overall surface quality. Additionally, AFM improves wire-cut (i.e., electrical discharge machining / EDM), milled and ground surfaces by a factor of 10 times or more in just minutes — all the while preserving critical and ever tighter tolerances. The actual design of a given die or mold is the primary determinant in which Extrude Hone AFM process should be applied.

Our traditional AFM is ideally suited for dies and molds that feature a through cavity or extrusion dies that fabricate aluminum, vinyl or plastic. AFM completely removes all traces of laser, thermal and EDM recast layers. On die surfaces in particular, AFM polishes in the direction of material flow, producing a high-quality and longer lasting die with a uniform surface. Moreover, the uniformity of stock removal permits accurate “sizing” of undersized die passages.

The rapid, low-amplitude, oscillating nature of the Orbital AFM process makes it most suitable for dies and molds with a blind cavities that feature contoured or complex geometric surfaces, such as blow molds, coining dies or pharmaceutical pill press dies. In fact, coining dies are polished from a 0.4 µm (16 µinch) Ra surface finish to an amazing 0.01 µm (0.4 µinch) Ra using Orbital AFM in only a few minutes.

From automotive extrusion dies to food processing or pharmaceutical pill press dies, Extrude Hone provides die manufacturers with the advanced, cost-effective surface finishing solutions they require to stay competitive.

Learn more about Extrude Hone’s abrasive flow:

Extrude Hone also provides all of our advanced manufacturing technologies through our global network of Contract Finishing Services locations.
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Deburring, Polishing and Surface Finishing - Extrude Hone Corporation®