Automated Fabrication of Complex Molded Parts Using Mold SOM
Abstract
Mold Shape Deposition Manufacturing (Mold SDM) is a Solid Freeform Fabrication
technique for producing complex shaped fugitive wax molds. A vari~ty of castable. polymer and
ceramic materials have been used to make parts from these molds. ThIS paper descnbes the Mold
SDM method and an automated mold building machine based on a commercial CNC mill. Process
steps, material selection and equipment issues are explained. Alumina, silicon nitride, polyurethane
and epoxy parts with feature sizes ranging from 0.5 to 30 mm will be shown, as well as preassembled mechanisms and multi-material parts.