3D Printed Metal Molds
Why 3D print your tooling?
Cost-Efficient Tooling: Utilizing a commonized mold base for multiple unique insert sets significantly reduces the overall investment required for tooling. This is much more economical compared to producing a separate, complete mold for each individual part.
Rapid Production Turnaround: Quick change out of insert sets allows for faster transitions between different part productions, leading to less downtime and more efficient production cycles.
Versatile and Agile Manufacturing: If a design change is required for a specific part, only the relevant insert needs to be modified or replaced, rather than having to alter or reproduce an entire mold.
Material Reduction: 3D printing individual sections of the mold dramatically reduces the amount of material required compared to conventional methods that machine from solid ingot. This not only leads to cost savings but also contributes to sustainability efforts by minimizing waste.
Enhanced Mold Performance: 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.
Innovative Cooling and Support Geometries: With 3D printing, we are able to incorporate unique cooling channels and support structures that are not possible with conventional manufacturing methods. This leads to improved cooling efficiency, reduced cycle times, and enhanced part quality.
Precision Finishing and Hardening: After welding 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, heat treatment is applied to enhance the durability and lifespan of the mold.
Request a Quote Today
If you're ready to get started on your next molding project, we invite you to request a quote from our team today. We'll work with you every step of the way to ensure that your project is completed on time, within budget, and to your exact specifications.
explore our 3d printed Tooling solutions
Hybrid Molds
3D Printed Inserts + Mold Base
3D Printed Inserts + Mold Base
Welded-in, 3D printed mold sections for areas with complex geometry + conventional milling and mold fabrication for the majority of the tool content.
3D Printed Inserts + Mold Base
3D Printed Inserts + Mold Base
3D Printed Inserts + Mold Base
Utilizing a commonized mold base for multiple unique insert sets significantly reduces the overall investment required for tooling. This is much more economical compared to producing a separate, complete mold for each individual part.
100% 3D Printed Molds
3D Printed Inserts + Mold Base
Graining/Texture on 3D Printed Molds
Rapid Delivery. Peak Molding Performance. Prototype and Production.
No size limitations for 3D printed tool steel.
Graining/Texture on 3D Printed Molds
Graining/Texture on 3D Printed Molds
Graining/Texture on 3D Printed Molds
No difference in Texture/Grain performance compared to traditional molds.
Conformal Cooling
Graining/Texture on 3D Printed Molds
Conformal Cooling
The integration of 3D printed conformal cooling channels offers unprecedented benefits for customer molding projects. Unlike traditional cooling methods, conformal cooling closely follows the mold's geometry, ensuring uniform cooling throughout the part. This leads to a significant reduction in cooling times, enhancing cycle efficiency and throughput.
Variotherm
Graining/Texture on 3D Printed Molds
Conformal Cooling
Variotherm technology enables molds to reach higher temperatures during injection and then cool down rapidly, ensuring flawless replication of intricate details and superior surface finishes. This advanced approach effectively reduces residual stresses, diminishing the likelihood of part warpage and enhancing the mechanical properties of the final products. For our customers, this translates into the ability to produce complex and aesthetically superior parts with reduced cycle times and lower production costs.