Rapid tooling for injection moulding using fused deposition modelling

This paper presents the results of the research work on the development of a new metal-polymer composite material for the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) rapid prototyping system and the use of this material in fabricating injection moulding dies and inserts directly on the FDM system. The feed stock filaments of these composites have been successfully produced and used in the FDM system to produce test parts and inserts for the injection moulding dies. The inserts have been used in the injection moulding machine to successfully produce plastic parts in low density polyethylene and other thermoplastics. The work is a unique development in reducing the cost and time for making injection moulding dies.