3D Print Your Own Injection Molds, Ejector Pins and All
1 min read
Summary
3D printing has huge potential across various industries, and one lesser-known use for the hardware is in the creation of prototype injection molds – used traditionally for large-scale production runs.
Startup APSX has developed a 3D printer aimed at just this, called the PIM.
While it’s not cheap, at $13,500, the PIM can print in high-temperature and high-strength materials and uses a standard needle nozzle to allow for the use of standard engineering plastics.
APSX’s YouTube channel features a video explaining and demonstrating the machine in action, in which a plastic lid was produced using a 3D-printed mold.
The company claims that the same mold was used to produce 500 parts before requiring replacement.
While this use for 3D printing won’t replace traditional molds for larger production runs, for experimentation, prototyping, and low-volume production it could be a useful application.
