Precision Metal 3D Printing Targets Production-Grade Tools, Molds and Dies
Mantle Inc. combines the 3D printing of metal pastes with subtractive machining to meet surface finish, accuracy, detail and conformal cooling requirements for the tooling industry.
3D printed tooling insert. Photo Credit: Mantle Inc.
Mantle’s precision metal 3D printing technology produces precision tooling components—such as cavities, cores and sprue bushings—that reportedly reduce the time and cost of making production-grade tools, molds and dies. Mantle’s technology combines additive 3D printing of metal pastes with subtractive machining to meet the requirements of the tooling industry, including:
- Surface finish of 1-4 µm Ra, comparable to EDM.
- Accuracy of 0.001″ to 0.004″ across 4″ parts.
- Fine features and sharp details.
- Unique conformal cooling designs that could not be made with traditional methods.
The company says it has developed two tool steel materials, including P20 and H13, and has demonstrated that these materials perform in a manner comparable to traditional tool steels. Moreover, Mantle tools have been used to produce more than one million end-use parts for customers. These tools have been produced with shorter lead times and lower costs than tools made traditionally, according to the company.
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