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Article: Laser Aimed At Mold Makers.(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Modern Machine Shop
- Article date:
- November 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 Gardner Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The DML 40 and the DMU 60L, sister 100W YAG laser cutting machines made by DMG America Inc. (Schaumburg, Illinois), could be the first shot in a battle between lasers and ram-type EDM machines for die and mold machining applications. The DMG machines have a 0.004-inch diameter laser beam that can be precisely controlled to machine cavities and delicate features in a wide range of materials, including ceramics. DMG points out that the laser beam does not wear or break (unlike end mills), which ensures machining consistency and reliability. In addition, the laser does not require an electrode (unlike ram EDM), which reduces the time and expense of producing the finished die ...