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Verified Digital Optimization Arena for Tool/Die/Mold Production by 3D Metal Printing

Reference number
Coordinator Örebro universitet - Maskinteknik, Institutionen för naturvetenskap och teknik
Funding from Vinnova SEK 4 000 000
Project duration December 2016 - November 2018
Status Completed

Important results from the project

Tool design and manufacturing is an important phase in the development of new products. The project aimed to create a verified digital optimization arena for tool production through 3D metal printing to achieve a lead time reduction, reasonable manufacturing costs, a more efficient use of materials and reuse / rejuvenation of tools. The project, which included both stamping tools and injection molding tools, achieved these goals. Resonable manufacturing costs require a depreciation period of at least 15 years for the 3D printing machine.

Expected long term effects

In this project, the lead time for the industrial - stamping tool was reduced by 54%. - injection molding tool was reduced by 75%. The material usage was decreased by 44% for the industrial stamping tool. The cooling could be greatly improved. Therefore, the water flow in the injection molding tool could be reduced by 86.4% compared to injection molding in a conventionally manufactured tool. The best result is obtained, if the tool is redesigned from scratch before 3D printing. Optimized 3D-printed copies of conventional design provide good but not the best results.

Approach and implementation

The project focused on the following work packages (WP): WP1: Digital optimization arena incl. CAE WP2: Lab & semi-industrial testing - tools for car body components WP3: Lab & semi-industrial testing - injection molding tool WP4: Quality Comparison & Assurance in AM / 3DP WP5: Business cases, industrial verification and sustainability WP6: Project management, dissemination of results etc. Good collaboration between the work packages and project participants led to an efficient and pleasant implementation.

External links

The project description has been provided by the project members themselves and the text has not been looked at by our editors.

Last updated 24 January 2019

Reference number 2016-04384