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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Kenneth Dalgarno
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The use of a rapid manufacturing method to create injection mould tools offers the opportunity to create conformal cooling channels in the core/cavity inserts. Conformal cooling channels allow for better thermal management of the injection mold tool through the cycle, with the potential to reduce cycle times and/or improve product quality. However, currently available rapid manufacturing methods do not deliver the levels of accuracy and surface finish required to meet typical injection mould tool specifications. This paper reports on a hybrid approach to developing the mold inserts, which uses the rapid manufacturing process of indirect selective laser sintering (SLS), using the 3D Systems LaserForm process, to create a near net shape insert with conformal cooling channels, and then produces the net shape inserts by using high speed machining (HSM) as a finishing process. This approach to injection mold tool development has been tested through three industrial case studies. In each study existing injection mold inserts have been redesigned to give a conformally cooled tool. These have then been manufactured to near net shape in a steel/bronze metal composite through indirect SLS, and finished to production specification using HSM, EDM and polishing. Within the case studies the main aim has been to improve productivity, and the inserts have been evaluated in industrial trials in order to assess their performance in terms of cycle time, energy usage, durability and quality. The results show that significant productivity improvements and energy use reductions in injection molding are possible through the implementation of conformal cooling. Consistency of part quality and material durability have been assessed through extended molding trials, and in some cases there is a clear economic benefit to using the inserts. However, the importance of up front modelling to understand the impact of conformal cooling channels, the need for careful planning in manufacture to ensure that the required internal geometry iscreated, and the need for multiple representations of the required geometry to inform the different stages of the manufacture process are highlighted. Copyright ©2007 by ASME.
Author(s): Taylor CM, Ilyas IP, Dalgarno KW, Gosden J
Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Publication status: Published
Conference Name: Proceedings of the ASME International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference 2007, MSEC2007
Year of Conference: 2007
Pages: 9-16
Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/MSEC2007-31030
DOI: 10.1115/MSEC2007-31030
Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item
ISBN: 0791842908
