MADISON, IND. - Mold maker Jerry Hunter needed a better sine plate to build the tight-tolerance injection molds his customers require. So, he invented and patented the Ultra-Sine, a sine plate that Hunter says is stronger and more accurate than existing sine plates.
``Many of the sine plates that come with the machine tools aren't very good,'' he said.
Ultra-Sine is a pallet system that fits a range of applications, with a bolt pattern that mounts all major accessories for computer numerically controlled milling, jig grinding, electric discharge machining, a coordinate measuring machine or CNC laser.
The system adapts to changing machining requirements, and can be set at any angle from either end or on any compound angle if two units are bolted together, Hunter said.
Spiral advanced and retractable centers with torque-limiting clutches operate in conjunction with a second pair of spring-loaded centers to locate the top plate in position within plus or minus .0001 inch. The top plate locks and unlocks through a positive spring-loaded action.
Model 3-B measures 41/2 inches by 6 inches, with a 5-inch sine. The base plate, sining pallet and centering blocks on the aluminum pallet are machined of hardened A-2 tool steel for improved accuracy and reliable service.
Hunter produces the Ultra-Sine through his mold-making firm, Doe Run Tooling Inc. in Madison.
