Direct rapid manufacturing of molds with conformal cooling channels

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1347-1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahesh S. Shinde ◽  
Kishor Mahadeorao Ashtankar ◽  
Abhaykumar M. Kuthe ◽  
Sandeep W. Dahake ◽  
Mahesh B. Mawale
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Rapid Manufacturing ◽  
Manufacturing Processes ◽  
Conformal Cooling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cooling Channels ◽  
Manufacturing Technique ◽  
Conformal Cooling Channels ◽  
Computer Aided

Purpose This review paper aims to provide an overview of applications of direct rapid manufacturing assisted mold with conformal cooling channels (CCCs) and shows the potential of this technique in different manufacturing processes. Design/methodology/approach Key publications from the past two decades have been reviewed. Findings This study concludes that direct rapid manufacturing technique plays a dominant role in the manufacturing of mold with complicated CCC structure which helps to improve the quality of final part and productivity. The outcome based on literature review and case study strongly suggested that in the near future direct rapid manufacturing method might become standard procedure in various manufacturing processes for fabrication of complex CCCs in the mold. Practical implications Advanced techniques such as computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering simulation and direct rapid manufacturing made it possible to easily fabricate the effective CCC in the mold in various manufacturing processes. Originality/value This paper is beneficial to study the direct rapid manufacturing technique for development of the mold with CCC and its applications in different manufacturing processes.

Realistic design of laser powder bed fusion channels

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1827-1836
Author(s):  
Christopher Gottlieb Klingaa ◽  
Sankhya Mohanty ◽  
Jesper Henri Hattel
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Powder Bed Fusion ◽  
Laser Powder Bed Fusion ◽  
Channel Design ◽  
Conformal Cooling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Powder Bed ◽  
Cooling Channels ◽  
Conformal Cooling Channels

Purpose Conformal cooling channels in additively manufactured molds are superior over conventional channels in terms of cooling control, part warpage and lead time. The heat transfer ability of cooling channels is determined by their geometry and surface roughness. Laser powder bed fusion manufactured channels have an inherent process-induced dross formation that may significantly alter the actual shape of nominal channels. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to predict the expected surface roughness and changes in the geometry of metal additively manufactured conformal cooling channels. The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology for predicting the realistic design of laser powder bed fusion channels. Design/methodology/approach This study proposes a methodology for making nominal channel design more realistic by the implementation of roughness prediction models. The models are used for altering the nominal shape of a channel to its predicted shape by point cloud analysis and manipulation. Findings A straight channel is investigated as a simple case study and validated against X-ray computed tomography measurements. The modified channel geometry is reconstructed and meshed, resulting in a predicted, more realistic version of the nominal geometry. The methodology is successfully tested on a torus shape and a simple conformal cooling channel design. Finally, the methodology is validated through a cooling test experiment and comparison with simulations. Practical implications Accurate prediction of channel surface roughness and geometry would lead toward more accurate modeling of cooling performance. Originality/value A robust start to finish method for realistic geometrical prediction of metal additive manufacturing cooling channels has yet to be proposed. The current study seeks to fill the gap.

Selective laser melting of maraging steel: mechanical properties development and its application in mold

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 623-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchao Bai ◽  
Yongqiang Yang ◽  
Zefeng Xiao ◽  
Di Wang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Maraging Steel ◽  
Solution Treatment ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Steel Mold ◽  
Conformal Cooling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cooling Channels ◽  
Conformal Cooling Channels

Purpose This paper aims to verify whether selective laser melting (SLM) could be used for manufacturing mold with conformal cooling channels and determine whether the mechanical properties development of SLM manufacturing maraging steel mold would be beneficial to improve the quality of mold. Design/methodology/approach A series of block specimens and cylindrical tensile specimens are manufactured by SLM, and then are heat treated by solution treatment (ST) and solution treatment + aging treatment (ST + AT), respectively. The development of microstructure, microhardness and tensile strength of specimens is investigated. Then, a mold with conformal cooling channels is designed and manufactured by SLM and machined after ST with microhardness decreasing. Findings The morphology of microstructure varies widely under different heat treatment. The microhardness and tensile strength decrease after ST with cellular structure broken, which is conducive to mechanical finishing for mold to improve surface accuracy. After that, the hardness and strength of the mold increase significantly by AT with the precipitation of Ni3Mo, Fe2Mo and Ni3Ti particles. The maraging steel mold with conformal cooling channels can be manufactured by SLM successfully. And the surface accuracy of mold could be improved easily by machining. Originality/value Compared with the traditional mold with simple cooling channels, the mold with conformal cooling channels can be manufactured by SLM directly. The hardness of maraging steel mold manufactured by SLM can be reduced through ST, which is conducive to mechanical finishing for overcoming the defect of low precision of SLM directly manufacturing mold. This provides a new way for manufacturing mold of high quality.

Manufacture of Production Quality Injection Mold Tools Using SLS and HSM

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Taylor ◽  
I. P. Ilyas ◽  
K. W. Dalgarno ◽  
J. Gosden
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Rapid Manufacturing ◽  
Injection Mold ◽  
Metal Composite ◽  
Injection Mould ◽  
Conformal Cooling ◽  
Cooling Channels ◽  
Conformal Cooling Channels ◽  
Near Net Shape ◽  
The Impact

The use of a rapid manufacturing method to create injection mould tools offers the opportunity to create conformal cooling channels in the core/cavity inserts. Conformal cooling channels allow for better thermal management of the injection mold tool through the cycle, with the potential to reduce cycle times and/or improve product quality. However, currently available rapid manufacturing methods do not deliver the levels of accuracy and surface finish required to meet typical injection mould tool specifications. This paper reports on a hybrid approach to developing the mold inserts, which uses the rapid manufacturing process of indirect selective laser sintering (SLS), using the 3D Systems LaserForm process, to create a near net shape insert with conformal cooling channels, and then produces the net shape inserts by using high speed machining (HSM) as a finishing process. This approach to injection mold tool development has been tested through three industrial case studies. In each study existing injection mold inserts have been redesigned to give a conformally cooled tool. These have then been manufactured to near net shape in a steel/bronze metal composite through indirect SLS, and finished to production specification using HSM, EDM and polishing. Within the case studies the main aim has been to improve productivity, and the inserts have been evaluated in industrial trials in order to assess their performance in terms of cycle time, energy usage, durability and quality. The results show that significant productivity improvements and energy use reductions in injection molding are possible through the implementation of conformal cooling. Consistency of part quality and material durability have been assessed through extended molding trials, and in some cases there is a clear economic benefit to using the inserts. However, the importance of up front modelling to understand the impact of conformal cooling channels, the need for careful planning in manufacture to ensure that the required internal geometry is created, and the need for multiple representations of the required geometry to inform the different stages of the manufacture process are highlighted.

SLM additive manufacture of H13 tool steel with conformal cooling and structural lattices

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Mazur ◽  
Martin Leary ◽  
Matthew McMillan ◽  
Joe Elambasseril ◽  
Milan Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Additive Manufacture ◽  
Lattice Structures ◽  
Injection Mould ◽  
H13 Steel ◽  
Tool Manufacture ◽  
Conformal Cooling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cooling Channels ◽  
Conformal Cooling Channels

Purpose Additive manufacture (AM) such as selective laser melting (SLM) provides significant geometric design freedom in comparison with traditional manufacturing methods. Such freedom enables the construction of injection moulding tools with conformal cooling channels that optimize heat transfer while incorporating efficient internal lattice structures that can ground loads and provide thermal insulation. Despite the opportunities enabled by AM, there remain a number of design and processing uncertainties associated with the application of SLM to injection mould tool manufacture, in particular from H13/DIN 1.2344 steel as commonly used in injection moulds. This paper aims to address several associated uncertainties. Design/methodology/approach A number of physical and numerical experimental studies are conducted to quantify SLM-manufactured H13 material properties, part manufacturability and part characteristics. Findings Findings are presented which quantify the effect of SLM processing parameters on the density of H13 steel components; the manufacturability of standard and self-supporting conformal cooling channels, as well as structural lattices in H13; the surface roughness of SLM-manufactured cooling channels; the effect of cooling channel layout on the associated stress concentration factor and cooling uniformity; and the structural and thermal insulating properties of a number of structural lattices. Originality/value The contributions of this work with regards to SLM manufacture of H13 of injection mould tooling can be applied in the design of conformal cooling channels and lattice structures for increased thermal performance.

Constraints and limitations of concrete 3D printing in architecture

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Ho Ko
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Improve Design ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Property Control

Purpose Additive manufacturing of concrete (AMoC) is an emerging technology for constructing buildings. However, due to the nature of the concrete property and constructing buildings in layers, constraints and limitations are encountered while applying AMoC in architecture. This paper aims to analyze the constraints and limitations that may be encountered while using AMoC in architecture. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive research approach is used to conduct this study. First, basic notions of AMoC are introduced. Then, challenges of AMoC, including hardware, material property, control and design, are addressed. Finally, strategies that may be used to overcome the challenges are discussed. Findings Factors influencing the success of AMoC include hardware, material, control methods, manufacturing process and design. Considering these issues in the early design phase is crucial to achieving a successful computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) integration to bring CAD and CAM benefits into the architecture industry. Originality/value In three-dimensional (3D) printing, objects are constructed layer by layer. Printing results are thus affected by the additive method (such as toolpath) and material properties (such as tensile strength and slump). Although previous studies attempt to improve AMoC, most of them focus on the manufacturing process. However, a successful application of AMoC in architecture needs to consider the possible constraints and limitations of concrete 3D printing. So far, research on the potential challenges of applying AMoC in architecture from a building lifecycle perspective is still limited. The study results of this study could be used to improve design and construction while applying AMoC in architecture.

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