Techniques for firm tooling using rapid prototyping

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of rapid tooling technologies that are, or shortly will be, available for production runs of up to several hundred parts in the same material as the final production part.

Rapid prototyping and rapid tooling—the key enablers for rapid manufacturing

“…The vacuum casting process includes the following main steps, as shown in F ig. 18 [53]: (a) producing a pattern (any R P method can be employed); (b) adding venting and gating to the pattern; (c) setting-up the pattern on the parting line and then suspending it in a mould casting frame;…”

“…This process is used for manufacturing prototype parts or limited runs of production parts. Epoxy tools are used as [53] moulds for prototype plastic injection, moulds for castings, compression moulds and reaction injection moulds. The fabrication of the mould begins with the construction of a simple frame around the parting line of the R P model (F ig.…”

Research at the MEC

“…Further information on this area of the Centre's work is given in its publications, including references [45][46][47][48][49][50][51], of which Paper [48] won the Thomas Stephen Group Prize and Paper [49], the Sir Joseph Whitworth Prize, from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.…”

Precision rapid mould by transferred coating

“…The aim is to fabricate dies capable of producing middle-run parts. The aim of ®rm tooling is not to replace soft tooling but to make only up to a few hundred parts [10]. The number of parts producible with a given tool will depend on the material being formed, the part complexity and the required surface ®nish or tolerance.…”