Mold Making
G.AL® Sawn Plates in Mold Making
Molds made from G.AL® Aluminum improve efficiency by reducing production time, lowering costs, and streamlining cycles.
Around the world, companies in the plastic processing industry face increasing pressure to reduce production time and control costs. This includes designers, mold makers, and plastic component manufacturers. Aluminum molds offer advantages over steel that help save time and money during processing. G.AL® Sawn and Cast Plates are specially engineered to eliminate challanges in mold making.
Lightweight
G.AL® Sawn Plates are almost three times lighter than steel plates.
Their reduced weight makes them easier to handle and transport, simplifies production, and minimizes wear on machinery.
Thermal Conductivity
In mold making, both G.AL® C210R (EN AW 5083) and G.AL® C330R (EN AW 7021) disperse heat more effectively than steel plates. This means faster molding cycles and more efficient production processes.
The high conductivity of G.AL® Sawn Plates allows for shorter cycle times in foaming, blowing, deep drawing, RIM, and injection molds (low and medium pressure).
Non-alloyed steel has a thermal conductivity of about 34 BTU/h∙ft∙°F, and about 9 BTU/h∙ft∙°F for high-alloy steel. The thermal conductivity of G.AL® C210R ranges from 64-75 BTU/h∙ft∙°F, and G.AL® C330R ranges from 72-90 BTU/h∙ft∙°F.
These values show that molds made from G.AL® cast plates have cooling cycles three-times-faster than steel. Customers reported up to 40% more efficiency in production after switching from steel plates to G.AL® cast plates.
Machinability
G.AL® Cast Plates are renowned for their exceptional machinability. Both the medium-strength G.AL® C210R and higher strength G.AL® C330R reduce machining resistance by over 90%. This allows for more intricate mold designs and enhanced precision than alternative materials.
The ease of machinability makes G.AL® C210R a standout choice for deep drawing, foaming, casting, prototype molds, and other plastic injection molding operations.
Using G.AL® Sawn Plates in mold making helps save resources:
- Lightweight design reduces material and shipping costs
- High thermal conductivity shortens cycle times
- Ease of machinability reduces machining time and tool wear.
G.AL® cast plates have set the standard in quality with outstanding flatness, homogeneous microstructure, and the lowest possible level of microporosity.
Additionally, GLEICH has created G.AL® Specialty Plates: G.AL® C210 DYNAMIC (EN AW 5083) and G.AL® C330 DYNAMIC (EN AW 7021) for molds free of microporosity.
Visit our G.AL® Product Consultant, to help determine which G.AL® Cast Plate is best for you, or get in touch with our team of experts by using the button below.