The RapidTool process: Technical capabilities and applications

Abstract

RapidTool is a proprietary process based on selective laser sintering technology and designed for producing tooling more quickly than conventional means. Proper implementation of the process for manufacturing tooling inserts requires a thorough understanding of its capabilities. This paper focuses on factors influencing the accuracy of inserts and proposes an approach for fine tuning of process parameters (scaling coefficients and offsets). The paper discusses the finishing of inserts to achieve optimum utilization of the process capabilities. Two industrial case studies are presented to illustrate the application of RapidTool in injection moulding and gravity die casting.