3D Steel Printing
It is impractical to match conventionally machined cooling lines to part geometry. Traditionally machined cooling lines often interfere with the cavity, core, ejection, and/or inserts ultimately forcing cooling away from the gate, center of the part, and/or critical product features.
3D steel printing makes it possible for cooling lines in the tool to follow the contours of the part. This in turn allows them to be placed at optimal distances from the part surfaces thereby improving cooling efficiency. Efficient cooling provides uniform mold surface temperatures ultimately improving the quality of the molded part.
Anova provides design and engineering support to help ensure that you get the most out of your conformally cooled inserts. Summary reports will be provided and include a minimum water flow rate per circuit to achieve a target Reynolds number.
Integration between our injection molding process simulation, mold design, 3D steel printing, and automated inspection allows Anova to help close the loop to get the best part to market in the shortest lead time.
Reasons to Use 3D Steel Printing
- Minimizing temperature variations during the cooling cycle dramatically decreases the risk of parts warping.
- Allows use of channel cross-sectional shapes that increase the channel surface area and surface roughness which improves the heat transfer capability of the system.
- Reduction of material and energy waste
- Significantly reduce cycle times
- Results in quicker time to market
Tool steels we can and have printed include:
- H13 Tool Steel
- D2 Tool Steel
- A2 Tool Steel
- 17-4 PH Stainless Steel
- Copper
Quality Policy
We provide relentless, continuous Improvement both internally and externally to meet our goals. We will exceed our customers' requirements and expectations while maintaining positive partnerships and relationships with our customers, coworkers, and suppliers
- 100% Documentation:
- Critical dimensions
- Product print dimensions
- Shut-off surfaces, Rotating fits, Sliding fits
- Gate Diameters
- Successful projects are not just about inspecting the numbers, but inspection and monitoring for the root cause. Often the root cause of a dimensional issue may not be a dimensional issue, it could be due to poor gate location, cooling system design, and/or attributes like polish, broken edges, improper draft, etc. This is why mold designers & mold makers run our inspection equipment
Project Management
- Weekly project reporting (Gantt)
- Customer-specific Program Manager
- Anova Liaison to support molds in your facility
- Troubleshooting and problem solving
- Direct relationship with plant personnel
- Industry knowledge and expertise
Need a custom job done?
Contact us an let us bring your vision to reality.
Examples gallery
