05/21/2009

Century Die Company Presents During MoldMaking Expo 2009

Century Die Company's CEO, Paul Betz, and Michael Kent of Brush Wellman, Inc. will be presenting at the 2009 Moldmaking Conference and Expo.

MOLD MATERIAL/MOLD REPAIR
Creating and Repairing Plastic Injection Molds Containing Copper-Beryllium Inserts

Cavity and injection molds are used to create a large variety of plastic shapes ranging from laundry soap containers to automotive bumpers. Complex geometry of the end product creates thermal management challenges for mold designers. Copper-beryllium alloy inserts are used in thermally sensitive sections of aluminum molds increasing heat transfer rates and uniformity. Occupational exposures to airborne beryllium are created by mold fabrication and repair operations. This quantitative exposure survey evaluated workers creating and repairing plastic injection molds. Operations characterized include: CNC machines, surface grinders, benching tools, plunge EDM, welding and sand blasting. Airborne beryllium exposures collected on CNC, welding, sand blasting and EDM were well below California’s OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.2 ug/m3. Benching and surface grinding exposures can exceed the California limit, but were below the national limit of 2.0 ug/m3. Ventilation is necessary for benching and surface grinding operations to reduce exposures to consistently below the California limit. All other processes examined represent a minimal inhalation hazard.

For more information on the MoldMaking Expo 2009 visit http://www.moldmakingexpo.com/