SAMPE Journal - July/August 2017 - 8
Feature
pins and channels for resin or air
can be included directly in the tool
geometry.
Figure 2. Tool geometry of the core
represented as a surface mesh.
is used to create the geometry for
the consumable core and external
mold halves (Figure 1b). AM allows
the integration of several functions
into one piece. For example, guide
Additive Manufacturing of Tooling
The solid models are exported from
CAD as surface meshes (Figure 2)
and sliced for 3d-printing. The slices
are converted to layered tool paths
and the commands are automatically
written in G-code (Figure 3). Open
source printers allow the adjustment
of almost every possible production
parameter, whereas professional
printers typically have only a few
settings for the user to select from.
Having the parameters predefined
by the machine manufacturer
usually means a higher success rate
as user error is minimized. However,
to truly learn the principle of
additive manufacturing and how to
design for additive manufacturing,
it is key that the user has access to
all settings. Many of the parameters
can be left alone once a suitable
value is found and there are only
about 20 key parameters that need to
be adjusted for each part geometry
and material combination. We use
inexpensive consumer-level software
called Simplify3D for generating
the toolpaths and an Ultimaker 2+
desktop printer for producing the
tools. The material choices are not
limited by the machine manufacturer
and we use mainly PLA or PET
for the mock-ups and for most of
the tools. Having an open source
machine and software that allows
tweaking every possible parameter
is time consuming at first, but
helps in understanding the process
as opposed to professional clickand-print machines. Furthermore,
consumer-level
software
and
machines
are
an
affordable
investment and an acceptable risk
www.thermwood.com
info@thermwood.com
8
*
904 Buffaloville Rd., Dale, IN 47523
*
800-533-6901
SAMPE Journal, Volume 53, No. 4, July/August 2017
http://www.thermwood.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal - July/August 2017
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