Facilities — Mier Machine and Tool LLC

DESIGN & MANUFACTURING

Engineering Software

Our design department utilizes PTC Creo software with the Pro/Mold Shop package with the Expert Mold Base extension EMX to design all of its molds and tooling. With PTC Creo Manufacturing, our parametric process extends all the way through the CNC build without any file translation difficulties — the electrodes relate to the cores and cavities while they relate back to the customer provided part, minimizing the chances of error throughout the course of producing the tool.

SOFTWARE STACK

—PTC Creo — Pro/Mold Shop package

—PTC Creo Manufacturing — Complete NC with Expert Machinist

—Expert Mold Base Extension (EMX) — full mold base design

—In use since 1997 — parametric design through CNC, no file translation

Engineering software workstation — Mier Machine and Tool

PTC Creo mold design — Mier Machine and Tool

Creo manufacturing — Mier Machine and Tool

Mold design software — Mier Machine and Tool

PRECISION WELDING

Laser Welder

Our LaserStar open laser welding workstation provides precision welding capability for mold repair, modification, and fine detail work. The motorized X-Y-Z work table enables precise positioning across large mold components.

LASERSTAR 7800 SERIES

—Open laser welding workstation

—Motorized X-Y-Z work table

—Table capacity: 500 lbs

LaserStar 7800 laser welder — Mier Machine and Tool

Laser welding detail — Mier Machine and Tool

Laser welder workstation — Mier Machine and Tool

Precision laser welding — Mier Machine and Tool

ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING

EDM Department

Ram EDM

The Makino EDAF2 CNC Ram EDM is a high-performance sinker EDM with a 16-station automatic tool changer. Drop tank configuration allows full submersion for complex electrode work on precision mold cavities and cores.

MAKINO EDAF2 CNC RAM EDM

—16-station automatic tool changer

—Travel: 13.9 × 9.8 × 9.8

—Drop tank configuration

—High-precision CNC control

Makino EDAF2 ram EDM — Mier Machine and Tool

Ram EDM electrode detail — Mier Machine and Tool

Wire EDM

The Makino U3 H.E.A.T. Wire Cut EDM delivers exceptional accuracy for wire EDM production runs. H.E.A.T. (High Energy Applied Technology) flushing achieves consistent cutting performance on the most demanding mold components.

MAKINO U3 H.E.A.T. WIRE CUT EDM

—Travel: 14.6 × 10.6, Z = 8.7

—H.E.A.T. — High Energy Applied Technology flushing

—High-precision wire EDM production runs

Makino U3 wire EDM — Mier Machine and Tool

Wire EDM cutting — Mier Machine and Tool

CNC MACHINING

CNC Mill Department

Makino PS95 — Vertical Machining Center

The Makino PS95 is a high-rigidity vertical machining center designed for precision mold and die work. Equipped with Fanuc Professional P CNC control, it delivers the accuracy and repeatability required for complex mold cavity machining.

MAKINO PS95 SPECS

—Fanuc Professional P CNC control

—Travel: 36.2 × 20.0 × 18.1

—High-rigidity vertical machining center

—Precision mold and die machining

PS95 mold machining — Mier Machine and Tool

PS95 cavity machining — Mier Machine and Tool

PS95 detail work — Mier Machine and Tool

Makino E33 — High Speed Vertical Machining Center

The Makino E33 is a high-speed vertical machining center purpose-built for graphite electrode milling and hard metal machining. With Fanuc Pro 5 CNC control, it handles the demanding requirements of modern EDM electrode production and hard mold steel machining.

MAKINO E33 SPECS

—Fanuc Pro 5 CNC control

—Travel: 22.6 × 17.7 × 17.7

—High-speed graphite milling

—Hard metal machining capability

E33 graphite milling — Mier Machine and Tool

E33 hard milling — Mier Machine and Tool

PRECISION GRINDING

High Precision Surface Grinder

Our Mitsui high precision surface grinder delivers exceptional flatness and surface finish quality for mold components. Fine travel controls and a precision Walker electromagnetic chuck ensure repeatable, accurate results on every part.

MITSUI SURFACE GRINDER

—Digital readout with .00001" fine travel controls

—Walker electro-magnetic chuck

—Travel: 6 × 12

—High precision flatness and surface finish

Mitsui surface grinder — Mier Machine and Tool

Precision grinding — Mier Machine and Tool

Surface grinding detail — Mier Machine and Tool

TURNING

CNC Lathe

Our CNC/Manual Toolroom Lathe handles a wide range of turning operations for mold components. With a generous capacity and full manual control capability, it provides flexibility for both production runs and one-off parts.

CNC / MANUAL TOOLROOM LATHE

—Max capacity: 16" × 48"

—Swing: 16"

—CNC and manual operation

CNC toolroom lathe — Mier Machine and Tool

Lathe turning operation — Mier Machine and Tool

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

Misc Equipment

12 × 36 Chevalier Hydraulic Wet Surface Grinder

Hydraulic wet surface grinding for larger mold plates and components, complementing our high-precision Mitsui grinder for general stock removal and finishing work.

CHEVALIER WET GRINDER

—12 × 36 capacity

—Hydraulic table feed

—Wet grinding for cool, consistent finishes

Chevalier wet grinder — Mier Machine and Tool

Hydraulic grinding — Mier Machine and Tool

Wet surface grinder detail — Mier Machine and Tool

COMPLETE INVENTORY

Full Equipment List

SURFACE GRINDERS

·Mitsui High Precision Surface Grinder (6×12)

·12 × 36 Chevalier Hydraulic Wet Surface Grinder

·2 — Mitsui Hightec Model 200MH 612

·6 × 12H Boyar Schultz Challenger

·Chevalier FSG618

CNC MILLS

·Makino PS95 Vertical Machining Center — Fanuc Professional P (36.2 × 20.0 × 18.1)

·Makino E33 High Speed VMC — Fanuc Pro 5 (22.6 × 17.7 × 17.7)

·2 — Bridgeport Series with digital readouts

EDM

·Makino EDAF2 CNC Ram EDM — 16-station tool changer (13.9 × 9.8 × 9.8)

·Makino U3 H.E.A.T. Wire Cut EDM (14.6 × 10.6, Z=8.7)

LATHES

·CNC / Manual Toolroom Lathe — 16" × 48", 16" swing

·Hardinge Speed Collet Lathe

DRILL PRESSES & SAWS

·Radial Arm Drill Press — 8" column, 39" arm by Arboga

·Clausing Variable Speed — 1½ HP

·15" throat DOALL Band Saw

·Roll-in Saw

MISC

·LaserStar 7800 Series Open Laser Welder — motorized XYZ, 500 lb table

·Micro-Vue Vector 6×6 Video Comparator

·IdealArc TIG 250/250 Lincoln Welder

·Trinco Sand Blaster — glass bead or sand

·Cress Heat Treat Furnace (12×13×6.5) — 2,000°

·Sunnen 1650 Honing Machine

·Hyster Fork Lift — 5,500 lb capacity