Production tooling for polymer moulding using the RapidSteel process

Presents procedures which were developed for the manufacture of production tooling using the DTM RapidSteel process, and on the methodology adopted in the generation of the procedures. Accuracy and surface finish, the manufacturability of small features, unsupported features, and mechanical strength have all been investigated, as has the capability of the process for generating conformal cooling channels. An overall tool design acid manufacture process is presented, and it is concluded that the DTM RapidSteel process is capable of generating conformally cooled production specification tooling, provided that it is accepted that finishing will be required, and that there are limits on small feature manufacture.