A mold's general assembly drawing is a vital document representing how all mold components must come together to form a complete mold assembly. To the moldmakers, it acts like a blueprint that leads through the course of making and assembling molds.
It is a general assembly drawing of the mold, which shows in detail the mold base, mold base, mold core, mold cavity, etc. By carefully studying this drawing, the manufacturer will be very clear about the shape, size, and location of each component and their relative relationship against each other. Consequently, it can avoid errors or omissions in manufacturing and assembly.
Besides, the general assembly drawing also shows the fit and connection of different mold components. They may include, for instance, the changes that bolts, screws, or other fasteners have brought about to keep different mold parts together. However, such information is very important to the manufacturers, as they determine the stability and reliability of the mold.
Sometimes, other than conveying complete component information, the general assembly drawings would also carry notes and instructions to assist the manufacturer in understanding and enacting the requirements on the drawing more clearly. These notes include information related to material grade selection, preparation of the surface, processing, etc.
Generally speaking, it is the drawing of a mold assembly that comprises all details and guidance one can observe for the manufacturing and assembling of a mold. In case of careful study and observance, this drawing allows manufactures to assure the quality and performance of a mold as expected while minimizing errors and issues during the manufacturing process. Following is the technical requirement of a mold general assembly drawing:
- Accurate Representation: The general assembly drawing should accurately represent the final mold assembly, including the placement and orientation of all mold components.
- Scale: The drawing should be drawn to scale, allowing the mold maker to interpret the dimensions and proportions accurately.
- Part Identification: Each individual mold component should be clearly labeled with a part number or description for easy identification during fabrication and assembly.
- Exploded View: An exploded view can be included to show how the various mold components fit together, indicating the order of assembly.
- Bill of Materials (BOM): The general assembly drawing should include a comprehensive bill of materials, listing all the mold components, materials, and quantities required for assembly.
- Assembly Sequence: Provide clear instructions on the sequence of assembly, highlighting any critical steps or components that need to be installed in a specific order.
- Fit and Tolerance: Specify the fit and tolerance requirements for mating parts to ensure proper alignment and functionality.
- Fastening and Connection Details: Include details of how the mold components are fastened and connected, such as screws, bolts, or other fastening methods.
- Ejection System: Show the ejection system in the assembly drawing, indicating the location and type of ejector pins, ejector plates, and other ejection components.
- Cooling System: Depict the cooling system layout, highlighting the placement and configuration of cooling channels for effective mold temperature control.
- Mold Base: Clearly indicate the mold base and its dimensions, as it provides the foundation for the mold assembly.
- Annotations and Notes: Include relevant annotations and notes to provide additional information or instructions to the mold maker.
- Revision Control: Ensure proper revision control to keep track of any changes or updates to the general assembly drawing.
- Compliance with Standards: The general assembly drawing should comply with relevant industry standards, such as ISO, DIN, or ANSI.
- CAD Software: Utilize advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software to create the assembly drawing, enabling easy modification and accurate representation of the mold assembly.
By meeting these technical requirements, the mold general assembly drawing becomes an indispensable reference for the mold maker, contributing to the efficient and accurate fabrication of the mold assembly.
Technical requirements for general assembly drawing of mould:
- Performance requirements for some die systems. Such as assembly requirement of ejection system, sliding block core pulling structure.
- Die assembling process requirements. Such as after the mould is assembled, fitting clearance of the fitting surface of the parting surface shall not be greater than parallelism requirements of the upper and lower parts of the mould, and size determined by the assembly and requirements for this size shall be indicated.
- Usage of mold, assembly and disassembly method.
- Anti-oxidation treatment, number of mold, wording, marking, oil seal and storage shall meet the requirements as specified.
- Mold testing and inspection requirements.
Of all mold manufacturing processes, the mold general assembly drawing is one of the most important documents involved in that process. Such documents contain dimensions and directions for the assemblage of different mold components whereby the product coming out will meet the proper requirements. In the presentation of this article, technical requirements by the mold general assembly drawing will be discussed in the subsequent sections.
Firstly, the mold general assembly drawing should reflect a good detailed view of all the different components that make up the mold assembly and where each one is. It ought to be easy to understand and show everything very clearly by giving the orientation and the position of the component.
Secondly, the drawing should specify the materials used in each component and their specific characteristics. This information is important to ensure that the mold is made using the correct materials and that the final product meets the required quality standards.
Thirdly, the drawing should be dimensioned, showing the tolerance for each component. Dimensions and tolerances will ensure that each component fits together properly, and the mold works as intended.
Fourth, the drawing should provide information in respect of the assembly instructions required, sequence or order to assemble components, tools and equipment as may be required, and other similar and related information.
Finally, the drawing needs to provide a bill of materials with all the different components required in assembling the mold. Such information shall be important to accomplish ordering and tracking of different components required in the mold assembly process. In the following fashion, it can be said that the Mold General Assembly Drawing plays an essential role in the manufacturing process of the mold. It captures critical information on the different parts required for mold assembly, the respective materials and properties, and instructions for assembling. Whomever follows the Mold General Assembly Drawing's technical requests is actually assured that the mold is of needed quality and will serve in the realization of high-quality parts.
