Tooling rapid type components and tool manufacture

Birch, J

Diecasting world, Volume 175, Pages 6-12, 2001

Abstract: There are a number of factors to be considered when choosing the appropriate metal casting process and the method of rapidly produced tooling for short runs or prototype production. The various casting process are briefly discussed and all current tooling techniques are also discussed. Some of these tooling techniques are (1) stereo lithography (2) ink jet technology (3) selective laser sintering (4) laminated object modeling (5) rapid machining (6) investment cast dies. Several examples are given where the rapid steel 2 material was used to produce die casting tooling for limited production of magnesium and zinc die castings.

Keywords: Casting, Components, Die castings, Tooling, Tool manufacture.