Research Faster tooling through 3D printing

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Fraunhofer-Einrichtung für Additive Produktionstechnologien IAPT

Whether injection moulding or machining, tooling is essential. Cheaper production and cooling close to the contour are the main arguments for producing tools using additive manufacturing. But there is more to it than that.

Tools are expensive and time-consuming to produce, as well as being inflexible. They have to be kept in stock for spare parts, which is an additional cost factor. That is why more and more tools are being produced by additive manufacturing. But these new processes have even more advantages.

These are the advantages of additive manufacturing for toolmaking

Additive manufacturing is already being used in a variety of ways in the tool making industry. First and foremost, structural optimisation and the possibility of close-contour temperature control are frequently used for this purpose. However, other functions can also be implemented, such as passive vibration damping, targeted cooling lubricant supply or channels for compressed air supply within the tool. In addition to optimising certain functions, completely new tool concepts are also developed. One example of this is an additively manufactured tool insert for particle foam processing, which significantly improved productivity. This was achieved, among other things, through cavities close to the surface, which made a steam chamber superfluous. By integrating optimised nozzle elements, it was also possible to reduce the mould imprints on the component. This tool was developed as part of the BMWi-funded project “LaEPPFo” in cooperation between the Fraunhofer IAPT and the companies Werkzeugbau Siegfried Hofmann and WSVK Oederan.