Taking the Plunge: AM Resources for Mold Builders

At PTXPO in March 2022, Westminster displayed its exploration in metal additive, represented by these metal 3D-printed cavities for medical devices. Photo Credit: MMT

The world of additive manufacturing/AM (also known as 3D printing) has become a burgeoning market the last few years and is still growing exponentially. According to Wohler’s Report 2022, research showed 19.5% in industry growth in 2021, a significant 12% increase from the previous year. The technology has also become increasingly important within the realm of moldmaking. But why use AM to produce 3D-printed molds and tools? And how can it change your business?

Making 3D Printing a Reality in Your Shop

Producing specialized tools and parts is considered to be one of the most resource-intensive manufacturing processes. Moreover, conventional processes like injection molding tend to be expensive, time-consuming and challenging, particularly when producing complex molds.

Working in tandem with the technological advances of 3D printing, however, it is possible to address a wide range of moldmaking needs from printing entire molds or inserts, to localized repair or hardface welding of mold surfaces and adding conformal cooling to a mold’s difficult-to-cool areas (which has demonstrated a reduction in cycle times by as much as 15-30%). This is in addition to enhancing application variety and design freedom, while maintaining part quality and high productivity rates. AM can also incorporate a growing catalog of materials including metal alloys, thermoplastics, thermoset polymers and composites.

“[Ultimately] it contributes to an injection molder’s profitability through high-margin bridge molding, part count reduction, quick-to-market commercialization and the manufacturing of very complex, expensive parts,” David Pierick, 3D printing application development manager at HP Inc., notes in “What Is Additive Manufacturing's Place Alongside Traditional Moldmaking?”

Moldmakers can even adopt AM through hybrid manufacturing, which involves a traditionally manufactured mold in which AM is used to add new features, or even build up worn areas. Cost savings are often associated with reducing machining waste/scrap.

AM Resources for Mold Builders

AM is certainly not perfect. However, it has arguably become the broadest category in manufacturing, supported by a variety of software, hardware and material capabilities.

The first step toward adoption is becoming familiar with the topic. MoldMaking Technology has a zone page dedicated to Additive Manufacturing, where those interested can explore various products, news and articles related to the subject in the moldmaking industry (more specifics below). For a broader approach to the technology, you can also visit sister publication, Additive Manufacturing’s “New to AM” section.

MMT has also released its July 2022 Sourcing and Technology Guide, which has its own section designated to AM, including 40 key suppliers, technologies and services offered and a Tip of the Month article, all of which can be found under the “Magazine” tab on the website homepage.