Rapid Prototyping services | Plastic mold for hair styling tools

GC Die Casting Offer Rapid Tooling

Cleveland, OH – Advancements in rapid machining and prototyping are being developed at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) that will considerably shorten the lead time for die casting tooling. Rapid tooling is important when a relatively small number of parts are required. This is important to DLA when tooling is no longer available to produce spare parts for aging weapon systems. Tooling lead time can play critical role to the overall procurement lead time, significantly affecting weapon system readiness. Rapid tooling methods that shorten lead times and reduce costs will expand the DLA casting supply base for high quality, dimensionally accurate parts.

Over the past year, CWRU has been working with NADCA and GC Die Casting company to develop a higher quality heat sink for military-tracked vehicles utilizing rapid tooling methods. Rubberized tank tracks are subjected to demanding operating conditions. In addition to normal wear and tear, they are exposed to temperature extremes that can affect performance and result in separation between the rubber and the track. To prevent separation, an aluminum heat sink that absorbs excessive heat from the rubber is embedded between the track and the rubber. Die casting is the most cost effective fabrication method for this heat sink because of the large production volumes involved.

GC Die Casting company, the die caster for these parts, had to frequently replace the HI3 steel dies because of excessive thermal fatigue cracking. The project team recommended replacing the HI3 steel dies with two alternate grades of steel. The new dies were completed in record time utilizing rapid tooling methods. Compared to HI3, a die set fabricated from one of the alternate steel grades produced twice as many castings before any welding repair was deemed necessary. The die set fabricated from the other alternate steel grade made three to four times as many castings. NADCA and AFS are supporting the technology transfer to their membership and CWRU is applying the lessons learned on Rapid Tooling to recent USCAR and DOE projects. In the the coming year, CWRU will collect, process, and report performance data from the rapid tooling production guidelines for fabrication of rapid tooling. The close collaboration and synergy fostered by the AMC program between the R&D teams, the CAST-IT application engineers, and the metalcasting associations and their members is very unique, making significant contributions to DLA and the metalcasting industry.

In the modern world with common use of the Internet, there are companies that do business with each other for years and never lay eyes on each other. If the initial contact between the company and the rapid prototyping firm has been a good one and as some would say lucky, then all goes well. If not, a minor disaster may happen. This article will help you avoid some of those problems with your next rapid prototyping firm. ! Check Out the Rapid Prototyping Staff

In a rapid prototyping firm, the skill level of the people doing the work is crucial. No matter how the good front office is, it’s the people that produce the product you need that determine the quality of the work you receive. You can help to insure a high quality threshold by investigating the staff. How? Read the “About us Page” if they have one. If a rapid prototyping firm has something worth publishing about the staff, you will likely find it there. ! Look For Rapid Prototyping Innovations

We all know that a rapid prototyping firm is on the cutting of technology. In such a competitive business, innovation is likely. We also realize innovation often cuts costs and can produce a better product. No rapid prototyping firm will tell you exactly what new or different process and or technology they are applying if they hope to continue to profit from it. However, they are likely to leave hints on their site. ! Wide Range of Rapid Prototyping Services

A rapid prototyping firm that offers a wide range of services has a special knowledge base gained from experience that will enable them to blend the various processes together to produce a better product. Sometimes that rapid prototyping company will have suggestions that will also save you time and money. Also, a full-service rapid prototyping firm can offer better service and may offer discounts as well. ! View the Rapid Prototyping Products Pictures

The pictures used in the sales presentation of a rapid prototyping company tell you a lot about the firm. Look for diversity of shape, size and type. Take a special look at the very small parts for detail. If the rapid prototyping firm does a good job on the small ones, you may feel comfortable with any size part they produce.

! Rapid Prototyping Conclusions

Use the web site of the Rapid Prototyping firm you are considering. Read the “About us Page”. Look for signs of innovation in their products section. Look for employee information that suggests the skill level of the Hands-On people. Review the pictures on the web site. They tell you a lot about the skill level of the Hands-On people that end up doing your work. May your next rapid prototyping choice start a happy relationship.