3D Printing in Toolmaking: Efficiency and Precision

The use of 3D printing technologies in tool manufacturing offers significant time and cost advantages. Important is the selection of the appropriate additive manufacturing process and the optimal metal powder.

Tool manufacturing encompasses the production of instruments and components that are typically used for creating geometric shapes through processes such as injection molding, various casting methods, machining, stamping, extrusion and joining. Common machine tools include fixtures, clamping devices, gauges, casting and pressing molds, cutting devices as well as templates. Since tool components are often manufactured in smaller series, production costs can quickly increase.

For manufacturers, it is essential to use tools made of suitable material in the right quality. Additive manufacturing makes it possible to design forming tools with internal cooling channels or to optimize coolant supply for cutting tools, which leads to lower manufacturing costs and higher productivity.

The production of tools is traditionally a time-consuming and expensive process, mainly because of complex geometries, high demands on precision and surface quality as well as the use of hard and wear-resistant materials. These requirements place high demands on qualified personnel and technical equipment. The use of 3D printing in-house enables faster and more cost-efficient tool production. The use of metal 3D printing for your tools means faster availability, increased productivity and improved functionality. The significant advantage of faster delivery should not be underestimated.