Additive manufacturing for custom tooling

Overview:

The project aimed to leverage additive manufacturing technologies to produce custom tooling with faster turnaround times and enhanced design flexibility. Traditional tooling methods often involved long lead times and high production costs, making it difficult to meet evolving manufacturing demands. By adopting 3D printing-based additive manufacturing, the goal was to create complex, durable, and lightweight tooling components optimized for performance and efficiency.

Approach:

The team utilized advanced 3D printing technologies such as selective laser sintering (SLS) and direct metal laser melting (DMLM) to produce intricate tooling designs that would be impossible or costly using conventional machining. Digital models were optimized for material flow, strength, and thermal management. Rapid prototyping enabled quick testing and modification, significantly reducing development time. Post-processing techniques such as heat treatment and precision finishing ensured that each tool met industrial performance requirements.