01 3D Printing Aids the Upgrade of Mold Manufacturing Technology

As an advanced manufacturing technology, 3D printing has made tremendous technological progress in recent years and has been deeply applied across various industries. Among them, SLM (Selective Laser Melting) technology, as the most mature and commercially advanced 3D printing technology, has seen widespread use in fields such as aerospace, medical, nuclear power, molds, and industrial manufacturing.

Unlike key industries such as aerospace and nuclear power, which are controlled by national regulations, the mold industry is a massive yet highly competitive market. Industry players compete based on their combined strengths in technology, products, and services. In this fully market-driven competition, those who can upgrade their mold technology early, providing downstream industries with more cost-effective and value-for-money products, will gain a leading edge. SLM technology offers unique advantages in conformal cooling channels, complex mold manufacturing, and mold venting structures. In recent years, it has become a key technological direction for mold upgrades and has garnered significant attention and favor from mold customers.

02 Customer Doubts: Is the Performance Sufficient?

Unlike other products, molds are the most important and expensive tools in manufacturing, with extremely high requirements for lifespan. For example, injection molds can last for hundreds of thousands to even millions of cycles, while die casting molds, due to harsher conditions, generally require at least tens of thousands of cycles. Therefore, many customers have concerns: 3D printing is a new manufacturing technology that uses materials developed for the printing process, building solid objects through discrete layering. Can this manufacturing method meet the strict requirements of mold applications?

03 Why 3D Printed Mold Performance is Reliable

To answer this question, we need to understand what determines performance.

In materials science, there is a classic tetrahedral relationship—“structure-process-material properties-performance”—which describes the intrinsic relationship between material structure and function. The performance of a component is determined by the material properties used in its production, the manufacturing process, and the resulting microstructure. The influence of the process on performance ultimately reflects in the microstructure of the component. When the intrinsic material properties are similar, the final performance depends on the resulting microstructure.

SLM technology uses high-energy laser beams to completely melt metallic powder, which then re-solidifies into a solid object. The entire process occurs under an inert gas atmosphere, and with proper parameter control, it forms a fully dense metallurgical structure with a density of over 99.9%. In comparison, traditional processes like casting have a density of around 70-96%, while forging can achieve densities over 99%. Therefore, the products produced by SLM technology perform far better than cast components.

Additionally, since the laser spot diameter is typically below 100μm, it forms tiny molten pools, and each pool undergoes melting and solidification almost instantaneously, greatly reducing the heat-affected zone. This can create a fine grain structure similar to equiaxed grains, providing fine-grain strengthening effects. As a result, in some mechanical properties, the final performance can match that of forged components.

Furthermore, for mold steels that undergo phase transformation, heat treatment processes can be used to release residual stress from the printing process, adjust the material’s microstructure, and ultimately meet the performance requirements for mold applications.

Of course, the actual performance of 3D printed molds also depends on factors such as the materials, processes, design solutions, and maintenance provided by the supplier. When choosing a 3D printing supplier, mold customers should consider their product characteristics and production requirements, while selecting a reliable and high-quality service partner.

LAMOTEK has been deeply involved in the 3D printing industry for over a decade, with a focus on the industrial application of molds. We have developed innovative, full-process solutions in mold applications for 3D printing, including specialized materials, processes, standard designs, and high-quality services. We provide comprehensive solutions and support in all aspects, from mold material selection, process design, daily maintenance, to after-sales service. Looking ahead, LAMOTEK will continue to stay true to its mission, providing excellent service and helping more mold customers succeed.