Injection molded products are made of thermoplastics that feature properties difficult to simulate with 3D printed prototypes. Printing the tool, rather than the part, offers an alternative approach to product development. Rapid tooling via 3D printing allows the part's actual material to be molded in a tool that is fabricated within several hours at low cost. Attendees of this presentation will learn how Objet has developed an ABS-like tooling material offering high-temperature resistance and a good combination of stiffness and toughness. The presentation provides examples of tools and molded parts of different geometries and molded materials, demonstrating the range of industries impacted by this solution. Participants will also learn how the same approach applies to plastic blow molding process, i.e. using printed tools for the fabrication of final-material blow-molded prototypes.
- Learn how printed injection molding tools save time and money in the product development phase
- Learn how printed tools allow real material prototypes reflecting the inherent characteristics/properties stemming from the injection molding process
- Discover how printed tools also apply to blow molding processes, allowing for real-material prototypes
- Understand why the molding benefits using printed tools must be examined for each material/geometry combination
Objet Application Engineer Lior Zonder is responsible for the development and communication of new applications of the company's 3D printer. An expert on the subjects of polymer processes and part/tool design, Zonder received his PhD in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.