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Additive Manufacturing & Conformal Cooling

Lou Young, Jr., Director of New Business Development,Tooling & Manufacturing, Linear Mold & Engineering

This presentation addresses the capabilities of 3D metal printing and conformal cooling that previously were not possible through conventional machining. By using additive manufacturing, design capabilities are endless. Linear has developed an expertise in the design and build of tooling inserts with conformal cooling channels that help reduce cycle times and drastically improve part quality.

3D metal printing technology excels in cases in which part designs have varying wall thicknesses, tight dimensional tolerances, and challenging mold geometry. This permits even cooling and prevents warp, sinks, and other quality problems. Straight water lines are required when using conventional methods; consequently, the intersection of two straight-drilled water lines creates a low-turbulence area where sediment may build up. This technology enables the design of complex water lines that eliminate these areas. “It’s a cool change.”