Industrial molding company Erofio Group has installed an M Line system from GE Additive at its 6,500m2 mold making facility in Batalha, central Portugal.
According to GE, Erofio has successfully 3D printed its first mold core using the machine with M300 hot work tool steel – a material often used to make injection molding and die-casting tool inserts. The 3D printed core reportedly contains more than eight independent, internal conformal cooling channels, is 8 m long and between 5-8 mm in diameter.
The company says that the conformal cooling channels help create a more efficient heat exchange, improving the plastic injection process through decreased cooling cycle time and warpage, and the aesthetics of the injected plastic part. Using additive manufacturing (AM) has also reduced finishing requirements by 90% with reduction in the total manufacturing time by 30%.
‘Having the first part come off our system is a great milestone and we’re looking forward to supporting the wider team as the solution comes to market and beyond,’ said Luís Santos, EROFIO Group manufacturing leader.
GE Additive says that its Concept Laser M Line is scheduled to be commercially available later in 2021.
This story uses material from GE Additive, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
