Manufacture Of Injection Molds Using SLS

This paper describes the use of SLS technology for the fabrication of injection mold cavities. Green shapes were made from metal - copolymer powder mixtures by SLS. The copolymer was gradually burnt out and the metal was oxidized in an air furnace. The porous oxidized metal part was subsequently infiltrated with an epoxy resin and cured. Effect of process variables in SLS, effect of oxidation cycle, dimensional changes on oxidation and epoxy infiltration of the oxidized metal part are discussed.