| Abstract Scope |
Traditional injection mold die plate manufacturing, involving time-consuming milling and hand polishing processes, takes over a month to achieve the necessary smooth surfaces. This research addresses the need for efficiency by exploring electroforming nickel onto 3D-printed, Stereolithography (SLA), materials, revealing a gap in cost-effective die plate production methods. This study aims to determine the feasibility of using electroformed nickel on 3D-printed die plates, investigating if it can provide a smooth, durable interior surface for injection molding suitable for thousands of operating cycles. Anticipated results include the development of a rapid and cost-effective method, utilizing electroformed nickel on 3D-printed surfaces to achieve smooth interiors, without the need for hand polishing, for injection molding. This process could revolutionize manufacturing efficiency, reducing production time from over a month to just a couple of days, and taking cost from tens of thousands to less than one thousand for most dies. |