3D PRINTED SECTIONS + WELDING + CNC MACHINING

For steel production molds, we 3D print individual sections of the mold before mechanically joining the core & cavity sections together, and then finally we secure those joining areas with our in-house laser cladding. This allows us to produce 3D printed production molds for plastic parts that do not fit within the build box of the most common 3D printing systems.

 Our industry-leading welding techniques ensure that the joints between the 3D printed sections are exceptionally strong and durable, allowing for up to 1 million shots before maintenance is required, which is on par with, if not surpassing, the lifespan of traditionally manufactured molds. 

 For large parts, 3D printing steel molds in sections allows SMT to kick off printing for all sections at the same time on separate machines located throughout the United States, achieving lead times up to 75% faster than any other tooling manufacturer globally. 

 After welding/cladding the 3D printed sections together, we perform precision machining to ensure the final mold meets all dimensional and surface finish requirements. If hardening is required, laser heat treatment is applied to enhance the durability and lifespan of the mold.