Abstract
Recent innovations support the production of molds for injection molding through additive manufacturing. Print resolutions are high enough for smooth mold surfaces. Printable resins can withstand the temperature and pressure extremes encountered in the injection molding process. Printing molds can replace cutting molds from solid blocks of steel or aluminum, reducing waste material and the embodied energy of the molds. This study quantifies the environmental impacts of a 3D printed polymer mold, an aluminum mold and a steel mold, and analyzes the aesthetic differences between parts produced. The hypothesis is that a polymer mold has a lower impact than the steel and aluminum molds, and for a short production run, will produce parts that are equally aesthetically appealing.
Presenters
Kiersten MuenchingerProfessor, Product Design, University of Oregon, Oregon, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Injection molding, Additive manufacturing, Mold production
