Polishing Actually Removes Metal…

I heard a die setter make this statement recently…

Setter
Mold makers get all bend out of shape whenever we touch the mold surface. It’s no big deal to polish out a scratch.

My Response
First off, polishing takes a long amount of time and is a very labor-intensive process. This person has obviously never polished a mold himself. Second, every time you polish out a nick, scratch, or dent, you are actually removing steel. Any metal removal will ultimately affect the dimensions and appearance of the final molded part.
Additional Thoughts
Personally, I like the idea of having every employee who’s job function is to touch the mold surface to spend at least one day of polishing. These type of exercises teach the employees the importance of protecting the mold surface.
-Andy

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