Rapid metal tooling by applying plasma spraying and rapid prototyping/rapid tooling technology for metal sheet forming

Abstract

To manufacture the metal mould for high-quality metal sheet parts forming at low cost with a short production cycle, an innovative method of mould manufacturing, based on rapid prototyping (RP)/rapid tooling (RT) technology by plasma spraying is proposed in this paper. First, the technological process of the rapid metal mould manufacturing is introduced, and the key technologies of the process such as RP fabrication technology, unbaked ceramic transition mould process, plasma spraying and back-up process are also introduced. Then, experimental moulds for the metal sheet parts forming are successfully made via this process, and examination and analysis of a mould is carried out. It proves that the method of manufacturing a rapid mould for metal sheet parts forming by plasma spraying and RP/RT technology is a successful technique.