scholarly journals Increasing the Sustainability of the Hybrid Mold Technique through Combined Insert Polymeric Material and Additive Manufacturing Method Design

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 877
Author(s):  
Ellen Fernandez ◽  
Mariya Edeleva ◽  
Rudinei Fiorio ◽  
Ludwig Cardon ◽  
Dagmar R. D’hooge
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ◽  
Measured Temperature ◽  
Steel Mold ◽  
Cooling Cycle ◽  
Polyamide 11 ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Cycle Times ◽  
Molded Parts

To reduce plastic waste generation from failed product batches during industrial injection molding, the sustainable production of representative prototypes is essential. Interesting is the more recent hybrid injection molding (HM) technique, in which a polymeric mold core and cavity are produced via additive manufacturing (AM) and are both placed in an overall metal housing for the final polymeric part production. HM requires less material waste and energy compared to conventional subtractive injection molding, at least if its process parameters are properly tuned. In the present work, several options of AM insert production are compared with full metal/steel mold inserts, selecting isotactic polypropylene as the injected polymer. These options are defined by both the AM method and the material considered and are evaluated with respect to the insert mechanical and conductive properties, also considering Moldex3D simulations. These simulations are conducted with inputted measured temperature-dependent AM material properties to identify in silico indicators for wear and to perform cooling cycle time minimization. It is shown that PolyJetted Digital acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer and Multi jet fusioned (MJF) polyamide 11 (PA11) are the most promising. The former option has the best durability for thinner injection molded parts, and the latter option the best cooling cycle times at any thickness, highlighting the need to further develop AM options.

scholarly journals Assessing the Suitability of Freeform Injection Molding for Low Volume Injection Molded Parts: A Design Science Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1313
Author(s):  
Elham Sharifi ◽  
Atanu Chaudhuri ◽  
Brian Vejrum Waehrens ◽  
Lasse Guldborg Staal ◽  
Saeed Davoudabadi Farahani
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Series Production ◽  
Short Series ◽  
Science Approach ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded ◽  
Low Volume ◽  
Cross Case Analysis

Low-volume manufacturing remains a challenge, especially for parts that need to be injection-molded. Freeform injection molding (FIM) is a novel method that combines elements from direct additive manufacturing (DAM) and injection molding (IM) to resolve some of the challenges seen in low-volume injection molding. In this study, we use a design science approach to explore the suitability of FIM for the manufacturing of low volume injection-molded parts. We provide an overview of the benefits and limitations of traditional IM and discuss how DAM and indirect additive manufacturing (IAM) methods, such as soft tooling and FIM, can address some of the existing drawbacks of IM for short series production. A set of different parts was identified and assessed using a design science-based approach to demonstrate how to incubate FIM as a solution to address the challenges faced in short series production with IM. This initial process innovation was followed by solution refinement, involving the optimization of the FIM processes. Finally, a “cross-case” analysis was conducted using the framework of context, intervention, mechanism and outcomes to generate insights about the generalizability of the results. It is concluded that FIM combines the short lead-times, low start-up costs and design freedom of DAM with the versatility and scalability of IM to allow manufacturers to bring low volume products to the market faster, more cheaply and with lower risk, and to maintain the relevance of these products through easy customization and adaptations once they have been launched.

Improvement in the Permeability Characteristics of Injection Mold Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing and Irradiated by Electron Beams

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Koresawa ◽  
◽  
Hironobu Fujimaru ◽  
Hiroyuki Narahara
Keyword(s):  
Electron Beam ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Water Repellency ◽  
Milling Process ◽  
Sintered Body ◽  
Permeability Characteristics ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Fundamental Experiment

This paper describes a metal mold with permeability fabricated by metal laser sintering with high-speed milling, which is an additive manufacturing method, and discusses the improvement in permeability. In this method, the sintered body is produced with gas exhaust tubes based on the porous structure. To maintain permeability, ensuring that the gas exhaust tube is not blocked is essential. Blockages may occur because of reasons such as the deformation of the gas exhaust tube due to the milling process during fabrication and generation of mold deposits within the gas exhaust tube during injection molding. In this research, by irradiating the surface of a sintered body, with a gas exhaust tube, by an electron beam, water repellency attributed to the reduction in surface free energy and recovery of permeability are confirmed. Further, in a fundamental experiment with an injection molding machine, the permeability of a permeable sintered body irradiated an electron beam increased by approximately 2.8 times as compared to the permeability of a sintered body that was not irradiated.

MECHANICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYAMIDE 12 COMPOSITE FOR POTENTIAL BIOMEDICAL IMPLANT: INJECTION MOLDING AND DESKTOP 3D PRINTER

2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuan Noraihan Azila Tuan Rahim ◽  
Hazizan Md Akil ◽  
Abdul Manaf Abdullah ◽  
Dasmawati Mohamad ◽  
Zainul Ahmad Rajion
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
3D Printer ◽  
Fused Filament Fabrication ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Biomedical Implant ◽  
Polyamide 12 ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Injection Molded

Fused filament fabrication is a filament based rapid prototyping process, which offers the possibility of new polymer material for invention of biomedical implant. This study represents an investigation on a preparation and characterization of new polyamide 12 reinforced with 20 wt% of zirconium dioxide and hydroxyapatite by desktop 3D printer in comparison with conventional manufacturing method, injection molding. Polyamide 12 composite was compounded, pelletized and filament-extruded prior to apply to a 3D printer. Sample prototypes from the new polyamide composite have been successfully made and tested. Mechanical (flexural and impact) and morphological properties were evaluated and compared. From the results, the printed polyamide composite exhibited lower mechanical properties than injection molded due to the formation of porosity, laminate weakness and low pressure during printing. Although the mechanical properties of printed parts were lower than molded parts, but the capability of 3D printer to fabricate any customized 3D object could lead to the bright future and great contribution in this area, while at the same time many improvements can be made for the future works.

A review of additive manufacturing applications in ophthalmology

2021 ◽  
pp. 095441192110280
Author(s):  
Arivazhagan Pugalendhi ◽  
Rajesh Ranganathan
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Treatment Planning ◽  
Physical Object ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
3D Cad ◽  
Stl File ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Manufacturing Applications

Additive Manufacturing (AM) capabilities in terms of product customization, manufacture of complex shape, minimal time, and low volume production those are very well suited for medical implants and biological models. AM technology permits the fabrication of physical object based on the 3D CAD model through layer by layer manufacturing method. AM use Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and 3D scanning images and these data are converted into surface tessellation language (STL) file for fabrication. The applications of AM in ophthalmology includes diagnosis and treatment planning, customized prosthesis, implants, surgical practice/simulation, pre-operative surgical planning, fabrication of assistive tools, surgical tools, and instruments. In this article, development of AM technology in ophthalmology and its potential applications is reviewed. The aim of this study is nurturing an awareness of the engineers and ophthalmologists to enhance the ophthalmic devices and instruments. Here some of the 3D printed case examples of functional prototype and concept prototypes are carried out to understand the capabilities of this technology. This research paper explores the possibility of AM technology that can be successfully executed in the ophthalmology field for developing innovative products. This novel technique is used toward improving the quality of treatment and surgical skills by customization and pre-operative treatment planning which are more promising factors.

scholarly journals Injection Molding and Near-Complete Densification of Monolithic and Al2O3 Fiber-Reinforced Ti2AlC MAX Phase Composites

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3632
Author(s):  
Sylvain Badie ◽  
Rimy Gabriel ◽  
Doris Sebold ◽  
Robert Vaßen ◽  
Olivier Guillon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injection Molding ◽  
Graphite Powder ◽  
Max Phase ◽  
Powder Injection ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Ceramic Fibers ◽  
Plasma Sintering ◽  
Molded Parts ◽  
Al2o3 Fiber ◽  
Induced Velocity

Near-net shape components composed of monolithic Ti2AlC and composites thereof, containing up to 20 vol.% Al2O3 fibers, were fabricated by powder injection molding. Fibers were homogeneously dispersed and preferentially oriented, due to flow constriction and shear-induced velocity gradients. After a two-stage debinding procedure, the injection-molded parts were sintered by pressureless sintering at 1250 °C and 1400 °C under argon, leading to relative densities of up to 70% and 92%, respectively. In order to achieve near-complete densification, field assisted sintering technology/spark plasma sintering in a graphite powder bed was used, yielding final relative densities of up to 98.6% and 97.2% for monolithic and composite parts, respectively. While the monolithic parts shrank isotropically, composite assemblies underwent anisotropic densification due to constrained sintering, on account of the ceramic fibers and their specific orientation. No significant increase, either in hardness or in toughness, upon the incorporation of Al2O3 fibers was observed. The 20 vol.% Al2O3 fiber-reinforced specimen accommodated deformation by producing neat and well-defined pyramidal indents at every load up to a 30 kgf (~294 N).

Measuring the Complexity of Additive Manufacturing Supply Chains

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ardeshir Raihanian Mashhadi ◽  
Sara Behdad
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Product Complexity ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Management Domain ◽  
Information Theoretic Measures ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Supply Planning

Complexity has been one of the focal points of attention in the supply chain management domain, as it deteriorates the performance of the supply chain and makes controlling it problematic. The complexity of supply chains has been significantly increased over the past couple of decades. Meanwhile, Additive Manufacturing (AM) not only revolutionizes the way that the products are made, but also brings a paradigm shift to the whole production system. The influence of AM extends to product design and supply chain as well. The unique capabilities of AM suggest that this manufacturing method can significantly affect the supply chain complexity. More product complexity and demand heterogeneity, faster production cycles, higher levels of automation and shorter supply paths are among the features of additive manufacturing that can directly influence the supply chain complexity. Comparison of additive manufacturing supply chain complexity to its traditional counterpart requires a profound comprehension of the transformative effects of AM on the supply chain. This paper first extracts the possible effects of AM on the supply chain and then tries to connect these effects to the drivers of complexity under three main categories of 1) market, 2) manufacturing technology, and 3) supply, planning and infrastructure. Possible impacts of additive manufacturing adoption on the supply chain complexity have been studied using information theoretic measures. An Agent-based Simulation (ABS) model has been developed to study and compare two different supply chain configurations. The findings of this study suggest that the adoption of AM can decrease the supply chain complexity, particularly when product customization is considered.

Effects of Sintering Variables on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Metal Injection Molding Molded 17-4 PH Stainless Steel

2021 ◽  
Vol 1028 ◽  
pp. 403-408
Author(s):  
Apang Djafar Shieddieque ◽  
Shinta Virdhian ◽  
Moch Iqbal Zaelana Muttahar ◽  
Muhammad Rafi Muttaqin
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Relative Density ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Hardness ◽  
Argon Atmosphere ◽  
Metal Injection Molding ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Small Complex

Metal injection molding (MIM) is a near net shape manufacturing technique for producing small, complex, precision parts in mass production. MIM process is manufacturing method that combines traditional shape-making capability of plastic injection molding and the materials flexibility of powder metallurgy. The process consists of the following four steps: mixing of metal powder and binder, injection molding to shape the component, debinding to remove the binder in the component, sintering to consolidate the debound parts. In this research, the physical and mechanical properties of metal injection molded 17-4 PH stainless steel were investigated with the variation of sintering temperatures (1300 °C - 1360 °C) and atmosphere conditions (argon and vacuum conditions). The relative density, microstructure, distortion, and hardness are measured and analyzed in this study. The results show that highest relative density of 87%, relative homogeneous shrinkage and high hardness are achieved by sintering at 1360 °C for 1.5 hours and argon atmosphere. At the same sintering temperature and time, sintering in vacuum shows lower relative density (81%) than that in argon condition due to pores growth. The pore growths were not observed in the argon atmosphere. It can be concluded that sintering stages more rapidly under vacuum condition. The hardness measurements result also showed that high hardness is obtained by high density parts. The optimum average hardness obtained in this study is 239 HV. However, the hardness properties results are still lower than 280 HV according to MPIF Standard 35 for MIM parts.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document