pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S19 - Additive technology
Poster Presentation
 
 

Assessing Selective Laser Melting in Extrusion Blow Molding

Gross Heinz (1), Vidal Joćo Paulo Oliveira (2), Nobrega Joao Miguel (3)*

(1) Dr. Groß Kunststoff-Verfahrenstechnik - Roßdorf - Germany, (2) University of Minho - Guimarćes - Portugal, (3) University of Minho - Guimarćes - Germany

Nowadays, with the availability of powerful numerical codes processing tool designers are able to conceive, theoretically, high performance tools. However, in several situations, conventional machining methods limit significantly the geometries that can be manufactured, either due to technical or budget limitations. With the advent of additive manufacturing techniques, the boundaries of the machinable geometries are being pushed forward. In this work the authors present a case study, comprising the design of an blow molding extrusion die, that combines numerical modelling tools and a manufacturing approach comprising Selective Laser Melting (SLM), which aims the reduction of time required to change materials during production. The results obtained, in what concerns to the decrease of the time required to change the materials, clearly evidence the advantages of using numerical modeling tools to aid the design of processing equipment and the potential of employing additive manufacturing approaches, as SLM, to machine polymer processing equipment.