An experts guide to Mould Tool Polishing

This is the definitive experts guide to mold/ mould tool polishing. Having been in the business for 40 years, we know polishing! And we especially have experience in mould tool polishing. Therefore, below is an experts guide to mould tool polishing. So that you have all the right tools and tricks up your sleeve to work effectively and efficiently. 

What is a mould/mold tool? 

A mold tool, also known as a mold, is a tool used in the manufacturing process to produce parts or products that have a specific shape or design. Mold tools are typically made of metal and consist of two halves that fit together to create a cavity that matches the shape of the desired part.

The process of creating a part using a mold tool involves injecting a material, such as plastic or metal, into the cavity created by the mold. The material then hardens or solidifies within the mold, taking on the shape of the cavity. Once the material has cooled and hardened, the mold tool is opened, and the finished part is removed.

Mold tools are commonly used in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer goods. They are often used to create high volumes of parts quickly and efficiently, making them an important tool for mass production.

Mold tools can be complex and require a high degree of precision to ensure that the finished parts meet the required specifications. 

Why do you need to polish a mould tool? 

Polishing a plastic injection mold tool is an important step in ensuring that the molded parts come out smooth and free from defects.

Polishing a mold tool is important for several reasons:

1. Improve part quality: A polished mold tool will produce parts that are smoother and have a higher level of detail, resulting in a better overall quality. Polishing helps to eliminate surface defects such as scratches, sink marks, and weld lines that can occur during the molding process.

2. Increase tool life: Polishing can help to increase the lifespan of a mold tool. This is because a smooth surface reduces the amount of wear and tear on the tool caused by friction and abrasive materials.

3. Improve mold release: A polished mold tool can help to improve mold release, making it easier to remove the finished parts from the mold. This can help to reduce production time and minimize the risk of damaging the parts during removal.

4. Enhance cosmetic appearance: Polishing can give the finished parts a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. This is particularly important in industries such as automotive and consumer goods where the appearance of the finished product is a key factor.

Overall, polishing a mold tool is an essential step in the injection molding process to ensure high-quality, accurate, and defect-free parts are produced, with a long-lasting tool lifespan.

Traditional methods to polishing a mould tool

Traditionally tool makers use EDM, hand held polishing stones at the start of the process of polishing a mould tool. EDM stones are ideal for:

• Cutting
• Flattening
• Sharpening edges
• Blending machines lines
• Removing a sparked finish

These stones are still widely used by tool makers and are used with lapping fluid for lubrication. 

Modern approaches to polishing a mould tool 

Ultrasonic polishing and Ultra fine ceramics have become an increasingly popular method for the first stages of polishing mould tools. Ultrasonic polishing is ideal because:

• It offers amazing precision 
• Can cut and blend incredibly small areas
• Able to maintain sharp edges
• Able to work with grits up to 7000

Again use with lapping fluid. 

Achieving your mirror finish

As with all polishing, to get to that mirror finish you then need to finish with felt and compound. When working with mould tools, you need to use Diamond Compound, which offers very exacting and precision finishing. If you are working with alloy, we recommend using Algalox. 

We recommend using a micromotor and mounted felts – and to get the ultimate control and preicision you cant do any better than using the Eneska 600 micromotor.

More products for mould tool polishing 

More Information 

For more information on mould tool polishing give us a call – we have experts here who have been polishing for years! 

And take a look at our You Tube page for videos of us hard at work finishing!