When faced with the challenge of developing a quick turnaround injection moulding tool, Toolcraft Plastics turned to 3D printing and rapid prototyping specialists Graphite Additive Manufacturing.
Toolcraft wanted to create a cost effective and fast way to produce only a small amount of mouldings within a rapid completion time frame. The firm, which specialises in plastic product mould tool making, injection moulding and vacuum forming, worked with Graphite to implement a tool that could replace their standard aluminium and steel instruments. The company needed a tool that was capable of handling short runs of plastic injection moulding in a wide range of materials.
Graphite got to work and helped Toolcraft produce its supermarket trolley coin which was 3D printed using ceramic-filled plastic. Graphite used a stereolithography process to build a two-part mould at their base in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
The entire process was completed in a single day, a considerably shorter time than that of traditional metal tooling which can take several weeks to produce.
Toolcraft’s new 3D printed tool was able to generate excellent results at a reduced cost and with a much quicker turnaround time.
Although the ceramic-filled plastic tool is a cheaper and much quicker option, it does not have the longevity of a material like steel or aluminium. However, the 3D printed option is ideal for a company like Toolcraft who produce short production runs and can offer customers 3D tools as replacements whilst metal tools are being manufactured.
