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Are the increasingly complex geometry, achievement of narrow tolerances, and reduction of production costs your technological challenges too?
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Do you want to produce prototypes without having to produce expensive tools?
New cooling technology gives us the answer; conformal cooling or cooling of the forms.
The use of conformal cooling or cooling, which is directly adapted to the contour of the product in the tool, enables a more even temperature distribution in the tool, faster heat dissipation in critical areas, a smaller input of residual stresses on the product, and consequently a greater geometric and dimensional stability of products. In addition to shorter cycles, higher productivity and lower production costs. By using a modern cooling method, we get higher quality products, whilst reducing production costs by 30 to 40 percent.
Modern 3D metal printing processes is a fast, simple and cost-effective way to produce tool inserts with the complex and arbitrary geometries of conformal cooling channels.
3D metal printing
At TECOS we are introducing another significant innovation: 3D metal printing on one of the most technologically advanced machines EOSINT M280.
After receiving 3D digital data, pieces with very high quality and hardness dimensions of up to 250 x 250 x 325 mm can be manufactured in just a few hours.
At TECOS, we design and construct the form of conformal channels with advanced computer simulations of plastic injection in the Autodesk Moldflow Insight software package. We check the efficiency of cooling and shorten the cycle, and the tool inserts are manufactured using the DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) method of printing metals.
Classical cooling
Uneven cooling is inevitable in production processes where classical cooling is used. This results in:
- uneven temperature distribution,
- poorer surface quality,
- poorer dimensional stability,
- longer cycles,
- more waste and higher production costs.
Conforming cooling
By using conforming cooling, tools and products are even, which means:
- even temperature distribution and minor residual stress,
- high surface quality,
- better and constant dimensional stability,
- shorter cycles,
- less waste and savings on production costs of 30 to 40 percent.
With the assistance of advanced computer plastic injection simulations, we can also check the efficiency of conforming cooling and compare the time saved in contrast with classical cooling.
Figure 1: Difference in mould temperature between classical and conforming cooling
Figure 2: Difference in ejection time and 33% time saved when using conforming cooling
3D metal printing
At TECOS we are introducing another significant innovation: 3D metal printing on one of the most technologically advanced machines EOSINT M280.
The machine produces products from different metal materials:
- tool steel,
- aluminium,
- stainless steel,
- cobalt steel chromium,
- nickel steel,
- titanium.
After receiving 3D digital data, pieces with very high quality and hardness dimensions of up to 250 x 250 x 325 mm can be manufactured in just a few hours.
The production of 3D metal parts with laser technology is suitable for:
- tooling (injection tools, casting tool, tool repair);
- industry (production of individual parts, serial production of parts, spare parts, machine parts);
- automotive (motor sport, production of new parts, prototypes);
- mechanical engineering (R & D parts, weight optimisation, rapid prototyping);
- Fashion and lifestyle (glasses, jewellery and accessories, medals and pendants, coats of arms);
- sports (sports equipment, parts for sports bikes).
A list of materials directly compatible with laser sintering (3D-printing) of metal powders with the EOSINT M 280:
- EOS aluminium AlSi10Mg,
- EOS cobalt-chromium MP1,
- EOS martensitic steel MS1,
- EOS nickel alloy HX,
- EOS nickel alloy IN625,
- EOS nickel alloy IN718,
- EOS stainless steel GP1,
- EOS stainless steel PH1,
- EOS stainless steel 316L,
- EOS titanium Ti64,
- EOS titanium Ti64ELI.
Why choose us?
- more than 20 years of success stories and satisfied clients
- a team of experts with extensive experience from the practice
- we use leading software for injection moulding simulation Autodesk Simulation Moldflow Insight and the newest machine for 3D metal printing by leading producers EOS EOSINT M280
- we assure fast response time
- technical support for implementing our solutions (by telephone, by email, or in the field)
- we are constantly introducing novelties, which is why we can offer you the latest knowledge and technology from this field.
Contact us!
MSc. Andrej Glojek, Director of Development Department
email: andrej.glojek@tecos.si
phone: +386 (0)3 490 09 22, mobile: +386 (0)31 377 787
