FOCUS ON TOOLING
Continued investment into digital technology is key.
always be cheaper, lower quality tools on the market, but high-quality tooling is“ worth its weight in gold.”
Investing in digital technology
Continued investment into digital technology is key for precision toolmaking. Digital technologies are at the heart of every job carried out by our highly experienced team( from concept to completion). We must be forward-thinking to remain competitive.
We have a great team which has been willing to learn new skills and constantly adapt with constant technological developments, and an owner willing to continuously invest. We have invested more than £ 500,000 to ensure that our factory is one of the best equipped and most modern in the toolmaking sector. Now, every step in our process is linked by connective technology, and the latest advancements in digital product design.
We use the latest simulation software at the beginning of every project to assess the shape and material of the proposed final product, working backwards through the required stages of production, taking into account tooling methods. This is a crucial process, allowing us to assess firstly if there are any likely issues to arise during the manufacturing process, to identify areas of stress, weakness or wrinkling in the part, and whether it will perform to the required specifications of its role.
New digital technology recently introduced to our business following further investment then enables us to create an electronic version of the required tool and mimic the way the tool itself would be manufactured, enabling adjustments to be identified electronically, and to change the forming process used. This use of digital technology crucially enables our costings team to provide accurate quotes, and price jobs accordingly at the start.
By using digital technology, we are also able to test many variants without the cost of having to manufacture prototypes. We have sometimes tested as many as 20 different options for our clients in a matter of days. A similar operation would have taken many
Paragon Toolmaking uses Stampack software to simulate complex tooling scenarios and predict outcomes.
Modifications of interior decorative automotive parts.
weeks if we had been doing it physically.
Keeping pace with new machinery
A toolroom is only ever as good as the machinery it uses, the digital technology which runs and connects the machines, and the skilled toolmakers who steer a project on its journey from concept to completion. It is for that reason that we have invested so much into new machinery over the past couple of years, and into the training and development of our staff.
It is easy to allow digital technologies to outgrow the capabilities of the machinery on your factory floor, and we have needed to constantly upgrade our machinery to keep pace with ever-advancing CAD technology.
Our latest machinery additions have included a Hurco DCX32i CNC( Computer Numerically Controlled) milling machine. This has enabled us to manufacture tooling to form much larger 3D components and those using more complex parts requiring greater intricate details, bringing greater speed and efficiency to our processes.
We have also acquired a Perfect PFG- 70100DT CNC grinding machine with a 10” LCD touchscreen that simplifies operation and a PLC controller that allows for precise adjustments, which are critical for complex die and tool manufacture.
With our Mitutoyo CMM machine linked directly to our design office, we are also able to import data from CAD and measure parts automatically in full 3D to determine the relationship between the coordinates of the“ real-life” part and the master model. This enables detailed inspection reports to be prepared ready for quality control signoff. Inspection using CMM allows direct comparison between the finished part and the design. n
About Paragon Toolmaking
Paragon Toolmaking in the UK has over five decades of experience in press tool manufacture, from concept and prototype through to design and manufacture. It offers complete customer care and support from concept and design to installations and servicing. The company has become a leading toolmaker for industries from aerospace and automotive to construction, medical, food, pharmaceuticals and white goods.
www. paragontoolmaking. com
Paragon Toolmakings’ s new Perfect PFG-70100DT CNC grinding machine being installed.
40 | ismr. net | ISMR September 2025