2 Piece Mated Molds

[Bob La Londe]

Ok... I've been stressing over getting a two piece mated mold just right, and then it came to me.

Instead of creating the cut, and then flipping it, why not just do one code file (with an alignment hole or two to press an alignment pin into later). Then simpley tell the Mach 3 software that the motor is reversed, and zero to the reverse edge of the stock for the reverse piece?

Heck if its a small enough piece you could chuck them both up in the same jig or clamp arrangment.

Do you see any issue with that?

So far the only issue I can see is if you are protyping stuff and forget to switch the software back you could accidentally get a mirror image of what you want on your next project, and waste a blank piece of stock.

If perfect outside alignment is desired for the final product if selling commercially put in the alignment pins, clamp it in your vice and mill the edges to match perfectly. Could even use that process to mill out pouring reservoirs if its a mold for liquids.

Its a pretty simple solution, and I am sure tons of people have thought of it, that's why I figured if there was any issue with it somebody would know.