Limited run production utilising Alumide® tooling for the plastic injection moulding process.

Abstract

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Existing techniques for the production of conventional steel tooling for plastic injection moulding are expensive and time-consuming. As a result, many new products often do not advance beyond the prototype stage. This paper describes an investigation into the possibility of using laser sintered Alumide (an aluminium-filled nylon material) in a novel alternative process for producing hybrid rapid tooling tools. Initial experiments performed by researchers at the Central University of Technology have shown excellent results. An Alumide tool can be manufactured in a shorter time and at a significantly lower cost than the same size direct metal laser sintered tool.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bestaande tegnieke vir die vervaardiging van konvensionele staal gietstukke vir die plastiek spuit-giet proses is duur en tydrowend. Die gevolg hiervan is dat baie nuwe produkte nie verder as die prototipe stadium vorder nie. Hierdie artikel ondersoek die moontlikheid om laser gesinterde Alumide (aluminium gevulde nylon materiaal) in n nuwe benadering as n alternatiewe proses vir die vervaardiging van snel hibried-gietvorms te gebruik. Aanvanklike eksperimente uitgevoer deur navorsers aan die Sentrale Universiteit vir Tegnologie het uitstekende resultate gelewer. n Alumide gietvorm kan vinniger en goedkoper vervaardig word as dieselfde grootte direk metaal gesinterde gietvorm.