|
RENSHAPE® SL MASSIVELY CUTS PROTOTYPE CAR BUMPER PRODUCTION TIME
31 August 2003 - Huntsman Advanced Materials
| RenShape SL stereolithography materials have been used in Japan to show that
prototype car bumper tools for a new vehicle can be successfully produced and up to 70 polypropylene parts injection moulded from these, in just two weeks from the
initial design. |
The tools were built from CAD data, using RenShape SL 5530 photopolymer.
Conventional metal tooling methods would have taken up to three months to produce the same parts. The Tokai Model Corporation in Aichi, Japan conducted the research study to
produce a prototype integrated bumper and radiator grill for a new car model, based on data provided by Japanese automotive manufacturer, Suzuki for this research. As the parts would be intended for use in crash, endurance and running tests they
needed to be produced in the final material – polypropylene, rather than from
prototyping materials. They also had to be high enough quality for fitting on show
vehicles, if required. An ambitious production schedule was also written into the study to ensure even the tightest ‘time to market’ schedule could be met for any real future contract. With these time constraints, Tokai believed stereolithography was the only way the
study could be successfully completed. They chose RenShape SL 5530 because of
its high heat and impact resistance and built the tool direct from CAD data on their
SLA® 7000 system. Measuring 2m x 2m, the tool halves were built in six sections. After bonding these
sections together, the tool halves were backed with aluminium filled epoxy material, also supplied by RenShape Solutions. Installed into bolsters, the assembled tool was then used to injection mould 70
prototype parts. Although direct injection moulding from SL tools (Direct AIM) is
commonly used, it is believed these are the largest mouldings to have been made to date using this technology and prove the enormous potential of this unique system.
About: Huntsman Advanced Materials
|
More News:
• For August 2003
• From Huntsman Advanced Materials
• For General
|
