3D PRINTING FOR
INJECTION MOULDING
Additive Manufacturing is successfully used to complement existing injection moulding processes; by accelerating product development, reducing risks, costs and lead times, and enabling low volume production runs.
3D PRINT MOULDS
FOR TESTING AND VALIDATION
Quickly iterate 3D print prototype moulds without the risk, at low cost, to test and approve mould designs prior to manufacture, or pilot production. 3D printing allows for multiple iterations at very low cost
FOR USE IN LOW VOLUME RUNS
3D print strong, smooth detailed moulds for use in the injection moulding process, particularly for where there are multiple variants, bespoke or differing product features, on low volume orders. 3D printed moulds can be fitted to both desktop and industrial injection moulding machines.
“Time was the number one benefit. We were testing the mould in one week, and then in one day created a second design which delivered significant improvements.”
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Jake Fallon, Technology Development Engineer at Braskem
Using Formlabs SLA technologies
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“Having the Form 3 in our factory floor has made our mould-making process much more agile, and the Rigid 10K resin is one of the best resins we have used so far for injection moulding. Now we are able to respond to customer requests much faster”
Kevin Li, CEO of Multiplus
Using Formlabs SLA technologies
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AN ALTERNATIVE TO INJECTION MOULDING
One of the common limitations with injection moulding is the required production volumes. Due to the high cost involved with traditionally manufactured metal moulds, injection moulding is often not a viable production method for low volumes, typically 1 > 1000 units.
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A better alternative is to 3D print the end component directly, saving time and money.
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3D printing low volume and short-run batches opens up new market opportunities, and new revenue streams for injection moulders.
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Mass production of bespoke parts is possible with Additive. Every single version of a component can be 3D printed with unique and differing features at the same unit cost.
ADDITIVE AS A SOLUTION
Stereolithography (SLA), Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) and Lubricant Sublayer Photo-curing (LSPc) Additive Manufacturing are are ideal complementary technologies, or even an alternative for low-mid volume injection moulding.
