3D Printed Tooling
Tooling refers to items that shape, form or hold material, or otherwise assist, some other manufacturing process. That includes injection molds, composite layup forms, sheet metal dies, foundry patterns and forms, workholding solutions, jigs, assembly fixtures, inspection fixtures, and hand tools. End of arm tooling for robots and other items that assist automation are an important application. Arguably, cutting tools fall here as well.
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WatchFAQ: Tooling
What is tooling?
For Additive Manufacturing Media’s purposes, tooling refers to items that shape, form or hold material, or otherwise assist, some other manufacturing process.
What is EOAT?
EOAT stands for end of arm tooling. This is the component of an automation system that interacts with the workpiece. For example, in injection molding this is typically a vacuum gripper or gripper fingers that remove parts from a mold. Source: 3D Printed End of Arm Tooling Aids Automation
What is conformal cooling?
Conformal cooling is distributing cooling fluid through channels that follow the shape of a part, rather than straight-line channels that are drilled into a part. Conformal channels can be 3D printed into mold tooling as seen here.
What are 3D printed tools made of?
3D printed tools can be metal, polymer (especially reinforced polymer), ceramic or sand in the case of foundry tooling.
What are examples of tooling?
Tooling includes injection molds, composite layup forms, sheet metal dies, foundry patterns and forms, workholding solutions, jigs, assembly fixtures, inspection fixtures, and hand tools. End of arm tooling for robots and other items that assist automation are an important application. Arguably, cutting tools fall here as well.