For the application of SLS process in the industrial mold industry, we can discuss from two aspects: manufacturing method and material application mode, and we can see the magic of SLS process.
1. Manufacturing method
(1) Rapid prototyping manufacturing
It is convenient to use rapid prototyping methods. Quickly produce the required prototypes, mainly plastic (PS, PA, ABS, etc.) prototypes. It plays a very important role in the development of new products. Through the prototype, the designer can quickly evaluate the rationality and feasibility of the design, and fully express their ideas, so that the evaluation and modification of the design can be completed in a very short time. Therefore, the product development cycle can be significantly shortened, and the development cost can be reduced. It is mainly used in the following 3 areas: shape design inspection; function inspection: assembly interference inspection, etc.
(2) Rapid mold manufacturing
There are two methods for manufacturing molds using SLS technology: direct method and indirect method. Direct molding is to directly manufacture resin molds, ceramic molds and metal molds using SLS technology. Indirect mold making uses rapid prototyping parts as master molds or transition molds: the molds are then manufactured through traditional mold manufacturing methods.
(3) Fast casting
Casting is a commonly used method in manufacturing. In casting production, templates, core boxes, wax molds, compression molds, etc. are generally machined and manually completed, which not only has a long processing cycle, high cost, and accuracy is not easy to guarantee. For some castings with complex shapes, the manufacture of molds has always been an old and difficult problem. Rapid prototyping technology provides a shortcut for realizing short cycle, multi-variety, low-cost, and high-precision casting. Fast casting can be achieved through the following 3 methods:
(1) Use rapid prototyping technology to directly manufacture wax molds and resin lost molds for precision casting.
(2) Use rapid prototyping prototypes to replace wooden molds in casting or make casting molds.
(3) Use rapid prototyping technology to directly shape the casting shell. Pressing of core and wax mold.
2. Material application
1) Polycarbonate molds. The application is as follows:
Aerospace (such as blades-impellers, aircraft parts, etc.).
Automobile production (such as engines, pump exhaust pipes, etc.).
Foundry industry (such as investment casting, sand casting, etc.).
Model manufacturing (such as appearance model manufacturing, silicone mold manufacturing, resin mold manufacturing, etc.).
Medical purposes (such as repair and correction of dentistry, orthopedics, etc.).
2) Slender nylon and synthetic nylon molds. The application is as follows:
Manufacturing of electrical appliances (such as hair dryers, air conditioners, etc.).
Manufacturing of electric tools (such as manual electric drills).
Manufacturing of communication equipment (such as telephone housing assembly parts, etc.).
Other plastic prototype manufacturing in various industries such as toy manufacturing, oil seal manufacturing, terminal and line manufacturing.
3) Metal mold. The application is as follows:
Aerospace.
Silicone mold manufacturing for automobile production.
Investment casting sand casting.
Appraisal of new product development and design in all walks of life.
4) Plastic mold
It is used in the manufacture of trial production molds in all plastics industries.