Tooling Around
The Process
The best CADCAM engineering and design software available (Pro- Engineer) is operated by seven designers, who are all also trained toolmakers, to help customers quickly turn their concepts into reality. It allows designers to create a model of the product and a model of the mould at the same time; when changes are made to either, the software automatically updates the design of the other to match. Customers can see the prototype in 3-D before tooling begins. When the 3-D model for the mould is perfected, it may need to be machined in numerous separate parts. It is downloaded to the CADCAM department where each part is programmed for machining. The size of the mould dictates which of the five machining centres the part will go to. Machining is a complex, precise and highly skilled job; a tradesman will have completed a five-year apprenticeship or the overseas equivalent. After machining, the parts of the die are assembled and fitted by toolmakers, who check every joint and tweak parts so that they fit together perfectly to create a seamless end-product for the customer.
Excellence in quality and service give RPM its edge. Mr Smith explains that a customer may have an idea of what they want to make, but no idea of how it can be moulded. "We help them with the design of the product, design the tool to make it, make the tool and then, because we have our own plastic moulding machine, we test every tool we make and ensure that it will mould a perfect end product."
The business's best weapon is their people, some of whom have worked with RPM since the late eighties. They have sourced excellent engineers from all over the world and pay them well. Four apprentices are being trained under the watchful eyes of experts.
