Cutting time out of the process to meet and exceed customers' delivery demands is, and will continue to be, a major force in the moldmaking industry. Just 10 years ago, a typical leadtime for cut aluminum tooling would be six to 12 weeks. Today, these leadtimes are typically four to six weeks. In the next few years, it is foreseen that leadtimes for aluminum tools could fall to two to four weeks. With this increasing speed of delivery, these traditional methods must be considered to be rapid tooling solutions.
Technology plays a role in gaining an advantage through reduced leadtimes.
The growing use of 3-D CAD systems combined with efficient CAM packages makes programming faster. The ability to transmit CAD data electronically over the Internet streamlines the process. Advances in machine tools and the growing use of high-speed machining, reduce the time required to cut the tool. These technologies enable moldmakers to respond quickly. Incorporating these advances is vital to long-term success.