We offer you a complete package, so that you receive the final, ready-to-install component from us. Based on your design specifications, we act as an extended production line, handling additive manufacturing (SLM process using tool steel) and the necessary post-processing. You benefit from the advantages of additively manufactured components without having to invest in expensive machine technologies yourself—technologies that would not be fully utilized in traditional toolmaking anyway.

In plastics processing, mold temperature control has a major impact on the quality of injection-molded parts as well as on the entire manufacturing process, and is key to efficient and cost-effective production. The fundamental goal of temperature control must therefore be to maintain a uniform mold wall temperature. This goal can be achieved through the use of contour-following temperature control, as it prevents localized temperature increases. In this process, the temperature control channels follow the contour of the cavity. Even small channel cross-sections just below the surface can be achieved. This freedom to flexibly arrange the temperature control channels is made possible by additive manufacturing. This results in the advantages of higher cooling capacity, better part quality, and shorter cycle times, thereby reducing the scrap rate and increasing output per mold and machine.

Currently, only a few materials are available for this purpose, since not every material known from conventional production is also available or realizable in powder form. The future focus is therefore on further material development.

- 1.2709: established for 3D printing and, thanks to its technical properties, suitable for many applications and requirements in tool and die making

- similar to 1.2083: our novelty, a corrosion-resistant tool steel already known from conventional production. This material has very similar properties to 1.2083, but slightly different in composition, as the powder had to be optimized and adapted for 3D printing.

The potentials of additive manufacturing must already be considered in the design phase. This requires a rethink in design. Designers are required to design the component in an additive manufacturing-friendly manner. For example, for angles greater than 45° or holes larger than 8mm, support structures are required and must be designed. The maximum dimension for additive manufacturing is 250x250x300mm. The minimum hole diameter is Ø1mm. Wall thicknesses must be at least 1mm. It should be noted that not everything that was previously manufactured and machined conventionally is now suitable for 3D printing. The technology must be used purposefully to benefit from the advantages of the additively manufactured component in the subsequent production process.