Abstract

COMBRINCK, J.; BOOYSEN, G.J.; VAN DER WALT, J.G.  and  DE BEER, D.J.. Limited run production using Alumide^® tooling for the plastic injection moulding process. S. Afr. J. Ind. Eng. [online]. 2012, vol.23, n.2, pp.131-146. ISSN 2224-7890.

Existing techniques for the production of conventional steel tooling for plastic injection moulding are expensive and time-consuming. As a result, many new products often do not advance beyond the prototype stage. This paper describes an investigation into the possibility of using laser sintered Alumide^® (an aluminium-filled nylon material) in a novel alternative process for producing hybrid rapid tooling tools. Initial experiments performed by researchers at the Central University of Technology have shown excellent results. An Alumide^® tool can be manufactured in a shorter time and at a significantly lower cost than the same size direct metal laser sintered tool.

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