4/4/2016

Advantagesof3DPrintedPartsintheInjectionMoldingProcess

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Advantages of 3D Printed Parts in the Injection

Molding Process
Nov 25, 2015
The remarkable breakthroughs offered by 3D printing have made
a major impact on the injection molding process and industry.
Also called "additive manufacturing", 3D printing produces parts
through a material layering process.
Often used to prototype a product, this process can act as a final
design proving - as well as a means to assess the final design. This means providing a
simple method for verifying the testing, fit and functionality of parts before being injection
molded.
Injection Molding Advances Use of 3D Printed Parts
The biggest advantage continues to be the ease this processallows for the physical
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testingof a design, which results in reducing yourproducts time to market.Parts that

have thin walls and complexgeometries- parts that are durable or even those providing a
bridge-part function can all be 3D printed.
Mass production using 3D printing does include its challenges. Even though this additive
manufacturing process can quickly produce sample parts at very low cost - the selection
of printed plastics remains limited as well as the difference in surface finish and each part
would have to be finished individually increasing labor costs.
Moving Your 3D Printed Parts into MajorProduction
When designers create a part for additive manufacturing with the intent to produce the
product through the injection molding process a few things should be considered. First,
design draft into the part, so when it comes time for injection molding you wont have to
return to the CAD file and modify the design.
Also apply other modifications to include features specifically needed to reduce stress
concentrations that apply both to 3D printingandinjection molding. Some of these
features include sharp corners and radii and ensure smooth changes from thin walls to
thicker walls this will reduce the potential of warping for the injection molded part.
When creating a part design for 3D printing, it is important that it is representative of the
injection molding process. For instance, it is possible for a designer to create a 3D part
that is actually impossible to injection mold. For this reason, the unique needs and
limitations of injection mold tooling need to be considered when designing a 3D print
part.
These changes are needed for smooth transitions and will prevent shifting to injection
molding from becoming overwhelming.
Accomplishing the 3D Printed Parts as a Fully Functional Prototype
Because the 3Dprinted partcan be used as a fully functional prototype, adjustments and
errorscan easilybe made in the design phase - which means mistakes are discovered
where it is less costly before moving those parts into the production phase.
This process also provides ahands-on physical product to review, to get your product to
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look and feel the way you want. It also delivers a way to getdetailed feedback that helps
guarantee your product's success.
The Expanding Role of Robotics for 3D Printed Parts andEnd-of-Arm Tooling
Robotics is now having a direct role by playing an expanding part in manufacturing. It
hasincreasedefficiency and accuracy for a broad spectrumof processes. One of the
most significant functions is seen with the"end of arm tools that essentially becomesthe
hands of robotic machinery.
The end of arm toolingdoes the work of grasping, pushing and moving. Itmakes them
an indispensable part of today'smanufacturing technology. Robotic arms can be a
challenge to produce, however, due to the bulky nature of this part and the expensive
nature ofthe implements, which take time and focus to both design and produce.
The 3D printedEOAT'scan easily be customized. Every conceivable application can
beincorporated to create unique features.These features end up beinglighter than
those made with metal. This means the robot armcan move faster and carry bigger
loads. Weight reduction has also improved themotor efficiency whilereducingyour
potential component wear and tear. Also, 3D printed plastic end of arm tooling wont
scratch the product they grip and can dampen impact forces. This means that tool
crashes are far less likely to damage the robot.
These adaptations can be simple or complex as needed. This advantage alsogives
designers the freedom to create tools that are specific to its function.Design flexibility
inherently provides theunique opportunity to optimize robot performance by using
3Dprinting.
For more expertise and information on 3D printing services and injection molding
services, contact the professionals at Crescent Industries.

SubmitRequestforQuote!
Article Citations

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Advantagesof3DPrintedPartsintheInjectionMoldingProcess

Information for this article was derived from:

How to Move from 3D printing to injection molding by LeslieLangnau, Robotic End of Arm
Tooling,Stratays

Rena Ivory

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