Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This project investigates the use of Rapid Prototyping (RP), with specific focus on Three Dimensional Printing (3DP), in the manufacture of complex shaped advanced composite parts, using variants of the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) method of composite manufacture. This study developed design guidelines, cost models and a process chain by studying data obtained by making example parts, from literature and consultation with industry. Advanced composite materials offer some of the best low weight and high specific strength properties for the solution of design problems. A major disadvantage of these processes, however, is the low production rates possible and the need of costly moulds. The 3DP technologies combined with the RTM composite process was found to enable a lowering of costs and increase in productivity if smaller batch sizes are considered. The most meaningful area of application for RP techniques seems to be for smaller and more complex components. The geometrical freedom allowed by RP technologies allowed the manufacture of parts which are challenging to manufacture by conventional technology such as CNC machining. Example part case studies were completed for a simple part utilising the one sided mould Resin Infusion RTM variant as well as for a complex part utilising the closed mould Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) process variant. During these two case studies it was clear that proper part infusion with resin is critical for the manufacture of good quality composite parts free of voids and dry spots. It is possible to improve the resin infusion by correct placement of resin inlet and outlet ports as well as resin channels incorporated in the mould. Correct placement of these features for the case studies was obtained through simulations done with RTM-Worx software. Results also indicated that another useful application of RP technology to RTM is the manufacture of disposable cores for parts with thick cross sections. Resin channels were included on the surface of these cores to improve the mould filling with resin and consequently part quality. An early cost estimation model, based on the work of Veldsman (1995), was developed for the combined RP and RTM manufacturing process. This model may help designers to eliminate expensive design features and enables a quick cost comparison with competing processes. Drawbacks of applying RP techniques to RTM include the limited lifetime of moulds produced with 3DP and the size and accuracy limitations of the RP t echnology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie projek handel oor die toepassing van die drie-dimensionele druk metode van Snel-Prototipering (Rapid Prototyping) op die vervaardiging van komplekse gevorderde saamgestelde materiaal komponente met die Hars-Inspuit Giet (Resin Transfer Moulding) metode. Die projek behels die opstel van ontwerpsriglyne, koste-modelle en ’n proses-ketting deur data te bestudeer wat bekom is deur middel van die vervaardiging van eksperimentele parte, literatuurstudie asook raadpleging met individue in die industrie. Gevorderde saamgestelde materiale verskaf van die beste sterk, dog ligte oplossings vir sekere ontwerpsprobleme. ’n Ernstige nadeel van hierdie materiale is egter die stadige produksietempo moontlik en die vereiste van duur gietstukke. Die Snel- Prototipering metodes, gekombineerd met ’n saamgestelde materiaal vervaardigingsproses, maak laer kostes met beter produktiwiteit moontlik indien ontwerpers die part grootte- en akkuraatheidsbeperkings in ag neem. Die mees betekenisvolle area van toepassing blyk kleiner en meer komplekse komponente te wees. Die vryheid in geometrie wat moontlik gemaak word deur die Snel- Prototipering tegnologie laat die vervaardiging toe van parte wat uitdagend is om te vervaardig met konvensionele tegnologie soos CNC masjinering. ’n Gevallestudie is voltooi vir ’n eenvoudige part vervaardig met die enkelkant gietstuk vakuum-infusie weergawe van die Hars-Inspuit Giet metode asook vir ’n komplekse part wat vervaardig is met die geslote gietstuk Vakuum Hars-Inspuit Giet weergawe van die basiese metode. Dit het tydens die twee gevallestudies duidelik geword dat deeglike hars infusie van kritieke belang is vir die vervaardiging van goeie kwaliteit parte sonder enige droë kolle of lugruimtes. Dit is moontlik om die hars infusie te verbeter deur hars inlate en uitlate asook hars kanale in die korrekte posisies te plaas. Die korrekte posisies vir hierdie komponente is verkry deur middel van ’n reeks simulasies met die RTM-Worx sagteware. Resultate dui ook daarop dat Snel-Prototipering tegnologie handig te pas kom by die vervaardiging van verbruikbare kerne vir saamgestelde materiaal parte met groter diktes. Hars kanale kan maklik op die kerne se oppervlak geskep word om die hars verspreiding en gevolglik part kwaliteit te verbeter. ’n Vroeë kostevoorspellings model, gebaseer op werk voltooi deur Veldsman (1995), is saamgestel vir die gekombineerde Snel-Prototipering en Hars-Inspuit Giet proses. Hierdie model kan gebruik word om duur ontwerpsbesonderhede op parte te elimineer en om ’n vinnige koste vergelyking met ander vervaardigingsprosesse te toon. Nadele van die toepassing van Snel-Prototipering tegnieke op Hars-Inspuit Giet sluit die beperkte gietstuk-leeftyd en beperkte akkuraatheid in.

Thesis (PhD (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Information on the milling of Ti6Al4V is limited; with most studies concluding that it is not possible to obtain a significant increase in the material removal rate (Qw). Tool wear maps can be a diagnostic instrument for failure analysis. Cutting speed (vc), maximum un-deformed chip thickness (heMax) and the radial immersion percentage (ae/Ø %) are the key variables in understanding the milling of titanium alloys. The objective of this research study was to construct tool wear maps for the milling of Ti6Al4V. This will form the foundation of understanding the cutting demands on the tool, in order to analyse the main wear mechanisms. Remedial actions, which are developed by tool suppliers, can be considered and integrated via this understanding of the failure modes and related mechanisms. Firstly, experimental data from background studies, literature and industry on wear rates and wear mechanisms pertaining to the milling conditions was gathered to construct the tool wear map. Mathematical models describing the wear behaviour for these conditions were also investigated. Secondly, work piece failure maps have been superimposed onto the tool wear maps constructed to understand the global failure boundaries. Experimentation was carried out to validate the constructed maps. The tool wear map could then be used to discuss the observed effects and consider remedial actions. Cutting speed corresponds to the magnitude of the thermal load and heMax represents the mechanical load. The ae/Ø % defines the duration of the exposure to the thermal load at the edge of the cutting tool. This investigation has shown the following issues to be of importance when considering tool performance via the tool wear map approach: 1. The key to designing tool wear maps is to identify the most economic Scheduled Replacement Time (SRT) for the specific components. Knowing the correct SRT makes it possible to optimize the milling conditions so that the cutting tool wears gradually under the cutting conditions, and lasts longer than the economic SRT. 2. Increased vc will decrease tool life (TL). However, in low transverse rupture strength tools there may be a minimum vc below which mechanical overload may occur. Similarly, a local maximum TL (a sweet spot) may exist if there is a phase change in the work piece material. 3. Increased heMax will decrease TL. However, heMax must be kept below a maximum critical value to avoid mechanical overload, but above a minimum critical value to avoid work hardening. 4. Increased ae/Ø % will decrease TL. The best balance of high Qw and economic TL is found with ae/Ø between 30-40% for rough milling. In finish milling the radial cut is limited to 1 mm finishing stock of the work piece. This study revealed the following important factors when considering work piece failure in the milling of Ti6Al4V: 1. Increased vc will reduce the cutting resistance of the work piece and increase Qw. However, vc must be kept below a maximum critical value to avoid work piece material burn, but above a minimum critical value to avoid burring and poor surface finish, due to tool build-up and chip jamming. 2. Increased heMax will increase the cutting resistance of the work piece and increase Qw. The heMax must be kept below a maximum critical value to avoid poor surface finish, poor flatness and parallelism (due to work piece bending). Likewise, heMax must be kept above a minimum critical value to avoid work hardening and burring. The constructed tool wear maps are validated with experimental work. This research work identified safe zones to productively mill Ti6Al4V, while producing components with a sufficient surface integrity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inligting rondom freeswerk van Ti6Al4V is beperk en volgens meeste studies is dit nie moontlik om ‗n wesenlike toename in die materiaal verwyderingstempo (Qw) te behaal nie. Snybeitel verwerings kaarte kan ‗n diagnostiese hulpmiddel wees tydens analisering van snybeitels. Snyspoed (vc), maksimum onvervormende spaanderdikte (heMax) en radiale snitdiepte persentasie (ae/Ø %) is die sleutel veranderlikes om die freeswerk van Ti6Al4V beter te kan verstaan. Die doel van die navorsingstudie was om snybeitel verweringskaarte vir die freeswerk van Ti6Al4V te bou. Die werk vorm ‗n fondasie om die eise van freeswerk op die snybeitel beter te verstaan. Sodoende kan die hoof verweringsmeganismes analiseer word. Regstellende aksies wat deur snybeitel vervaardigers ontwikkel is, was ondersoek en integreer met die huidige kennis rondom die falingstipe en verwerings meganismes. Aanvanklik was eksperimentele data van agtergrond studies, literatuur en industrie oor die verweringstempos en -meganismes rondom die freeswerk van Ti6Al4V versamel. Hiermee is verweringskaarte gebou. Wiskundige modelle wat die verwering kan beskryf was ook ondersoek. Daarna was werkstuk falingskaarte integreer met die ontwikkeling van die snybeitel verweringskaarte om sodoende die grense in geheel te verstaan. Eksperimentele werk was gedoen om die snybeitel verweringskaarte se uitleg te toets. Sodoende kon die snybeitel verweringskaarte gebruik word om die gedrag van die snybeitel te bespreek en regstellende aksies te ondersoek. Snyspoed (vc) stem ooreen met die grootte van die termiese lading en heMax verteenwoordig die grootte meganiese lading. Die ae/Ø % omskryf die tydperk van blootstelling aan die termiese lading op die snyrand. Die ondersoek het bewys dat die volgende faktore belangrik is wanneer snybeitel prestasie met die snybeitel verweringskaart evalueer word: 1. Die sleutel tot die ontwerp van snybeitel verweringskaarte is om die mees ekonomies beplande vervangingstyd (SRT) vir spesifieke komponente te identifiseer. Sodoende is dit moontlik om die frees toestande te optimaliseer, waaronder die snybeitels geleidelik sal verweer onder die eise en vir ‗n langer tydperk as die ekonomiese SRT sal kan sny. 2. Toename in vc sal snybeitelleeftyd (TL) laat afneem. Snybeitels met ‗n lae dwarsbreuksterkte, kan ‗n minimum vc hê waaronder meganiese oorlading plaasvind. Terselfdertyd, kan ‗n maksimum TL (‗n ―sweet spot‖) bestaan as daar ‗n fase verandering in die werkstuk materiaal plaasvind. 3. Toename in heMax sal TL laat afneem, maar moet laer as ‗n maksimum- en hoer as ‗n minimum kritiese waarde wees, om sodoende meganiese oorlading en werksverharding onderskeidelik te vermy. 4. Toename in ae/Ø % sal TL laat afneem. Die beste balans tussen TL en ae/Ø % is gevind met ae/Ø % tussen 30-40% vir growwe freeswerk. In afrondingsfreeswerk is die radiale snit beperk tot 1 mm van die oorblywende werkstuk. Die ondersoek het bewys dat die volgende faktore belangrik is wanneer werkstukfaling in ag geneem word met snybeitel verweringskaarte: 1. Toename in vc sal die werkstukweerstand geleidelik verminder en Qw laat toeneem. Ongelukkig is vc beperk tot ‗n maksimum kritiese waarde om werkstukfaling te voorkom weens ‗material burn‘. Die snyspoed moet ook hoër as ‗n kritiese waarde wees om werkstukklitsing en swak afronding weens spaander probleme te vermy. 2. Toename in heMax sal die werkstuk weerstand geleidelik vermeerder en Qw laat toeneem. Die heMax is beperk tot ‗n maksimum kritiese waarde om swak werkstuk afronding, weens die buiging van die werkstuk, te vermy. Terselfdertyd moet heMax hoër as ‗n kritiese waarde wees om werkstukverharding en -klitsing te voorkom. Die saamgestelde snybeitel verweringskaarte was bekragtig met eksperimentele werk. Die navorsingswerk het veiligheidsareas identifiseer om Ti6Al4V produktief te frees, sonder om die werkstukoppervlak krities te beïnvloed.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / This thesis forms part of the AMTS Project on Investment Casting Capabilities for Light Metal Alloys in South Africa, the focus area being Rapid Tooling Development. Various issues of the investment casting process are being discussed from an industrial engineering point of view. These issues are related to the possibilities of improving the investment casting process’ lead times by shortening it while still maintaining affordable costs and required quality. Hereby the possibilities given by the newly developed “rapid technologies” are investigated. The focus is on Rapid Pattern Making as one of the most essential components for accelerated development of new products. Three of the most widely used layer manufacturing processes available in South Africa are selected for the study, namely Three Dimensional Printing – Drop-on-Bed (ZCorporation), Selective Laser Sintering (EOS) and Three Dimensional Printing – Drop-on-Drop (ThermoJet - 3D Systems). These three methods represent different materials; therefore different mechanical properties, different process economics as well as different technological characteristics. A standard benchmark part is used as a study base. Four patterns are produced by these three methods. A comprehensive measurement programme is conducted, followed by an appropriate statistical analysis and evaluation regarding accuracy and surface finish. Rapid Die Making is analysed with the possibilities of using additive methods for rapid tooling. Two dies are built with the same technology – Selective Laser Sintering (EOS), but in different materials. The same evaluation methodology is used for the statistical analysis and comparison. The two dies are injected with wax in order to produce the original benchmark part. The best wax patterns from each die are selected and evaluated, using the same methodology for analysis and comparison. The current state of Direct Shell Production is shortly discussed. The research concludes that RP&T techniques can successfully be used for creating accurate patterns and dies in order to shorten lead times in the investment casting process chain. Each RP&T process has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. All users should evaluate their requirements and the capabilities of the variety of techniques before deciding on a process to apply.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Additive Manufacturing (AM) refers to the technologies that use Computer Aided Design (CAD) data to produce plastic, metal, ceramic, paper, wax or composite materials parts. Their ability to join thin layers of liquid, powder or sheet materials together permits the production of parts, which are difficult or even impossible to produce, using any other manufacturing method. Even though these technologies are still developing, they are considered a major breakthrough in industry. One of the main problems that is facing the improvement and the spread of AM technologies, and its benefits worldwide, is the lack of knowledge about them. Still a lot of countries, educational and industrial organizations do not even know about AM technologies. This lack of knowledge of such technologies is keeping their cost artificially high, which is limiting the access to more AM advanced technologies and materials. It also makes it difficult to market the technologies and those who do not use AM technologies yet become unable to compete against those who do. The numbers of AM systems are continually growing, their capabilities and applications are improving and their cost is decreasing. Today there are more than 40 companies that produce over 100 different systems in Canada, China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Sweden and the United States. These systems vary in their strengths, defects, applications, functions and limitations. This growth has led to an increase in current and potential users of AM from both the manufacturing and educational sectors. These users are however facing increasing complex problems when it comes to selecting the most appropriate commercial system(s) to suit their needs. The aim of this study is to develop an AM system selection program. The program will serve both as an educational tool and a decision making support tool to assist any potential purchasers in both the educational and industrial sectors. The AM system selection program is divided into two sections: the learning section and the selecting section. The learning section introduces the AM technologies by imparting knowledge to the new users; moreover, it inspires them to start using these technologies to get their benefits. Having a background in AM technologies enables the new users to make educated decisions and to discuss technical issues about the systems with the providers. The selecting section offers a decision making support tool to help the users to decide which system best suits their needs. This study can contribute to the promotion of AM technologies and their benefits worldwide, especially for the countries and organizations that have not yet used such technologies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toevoegende vervaardiging verwys na al die tegnologie wat rekenaargesteunde ontwerp data gebruik om plastiek, metaal, keramiek, papier, saamgestelde materiale en waks parte te vervaardig. Die vermoë van die tegnologie om dun lae vloeistof, poeier of plaatmateriaal op mekaar te verbind laat die vervaardiging van parte wat moeilik of selfs onmoontlik is, deur die gebruik van ander vervaardigingsmetodes. Alhoewel hierdie tegnologieë nog in ‘n ontwikkelingsfase is, word dit as ‘n reuse deurbraak vir die bedryf beskou. Die verbetering, verspreiding en voordele van die tegnologie word hoofsaaklik belemmer deur ‘n tekort aan inligting daaroor. Baie lande, akademiese en industrieële organisasies is nog nie eens bewus dat sulke tegnologieë bestaan nie. Die tekort aan inligting veroorsaak dat kostes hoog bly en verhoed die vinnige uitbreiding van nog meer gevorderde tegnologieë en materiale. Verder bemoeilik dit ook die bemarking van die tegnologieë. Die aantal toevoegende vervaardigingsmasjiene groei jaarliks met beter vermoëns, laer kostes en ‘n groter verskeidenheid van toepassings. Tans is daar meer as 40 vervaardigers wat meer as 100 verskillende masjiene vervaardig in Kanada, China, Frankryk, Duitsland, Israel, Italië, Japan, Suid-Korea, Swede en Amerika. Al die masjiene verskil ten opsigte van hul funksies, beperkings en ook ten opsigte van sterkte, materiale en toepassings van parte. Die groei het gelei tot ‘n toename in gebruik van die tegnologie deur huidige en potensiële nuwe gebruikers van beide die vervaardigings en akademiese sektore. Die keuse van ‘n geskikte sisteem wat aan al ‘n gebruiker se vereistes voldoen, raak elke dag meer kompleks. Die doel van hierdie studie is die ontwikkeling van ‘n seleksie program vir toevoegende vervaardigingmasjiene. Die program sal dien as ‘n opleidingshulpmiddel en as ‘n basis vir masjienseleksie deur potensiële kopers. Die program bestaan uit twee dele: die opleidingsgedeelte en die selekteringsgedeelte. Die opleidingsgedeelte beskryf die verskeie toevoegende prosesse en motiveer gebruikers om die tegnologie aan te skaf weens die voordele. ‘n Agtergrond oor die verskeie tegnologieë stel die gebruiker in staat om ingeligte besluite te neem en tegniese vrae te kan stel aan verskaffers. Die selekteringsdeel het ‘n besluitnemingstruktuur wat help om die regte masjien te kies ten opsigte van verlangde vereistes. Hierdie studie kan help met die bevordering van toevoegende tegnologieë en hul voordele, veral vir lande en organisasies wat nog nooit voorheen sulke tegnologieë gebruik het nie.

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010 / The aim of this study is to produce more cost effective carbon fibre (CF) parts. To achieve this there must be a saving on materials, labour and time. Thus, a production process to produce cost effective CF moulds while saving time and money is required. This procedure must be suited for the incorporation in the small to medium production ranges. The composite industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Therefore, the faster a mould can be produced, the faster the end product will reach the market. This research project investigates the possibility to sinter CF moulds on the Electro Optical Systems (EOS) Laser Sintering (LS) machine cheaper and faster than the conventional method using computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining. The surface finish produced on the LS machine is not of the same quality as a CNC machined mould, but there are ways to enhance the surface quality of a LS part to the point that it is compatible to the surface quality of a CNC machined mould. The CF moulding process uses many different types of moulding processes. However, it is not possible to use LS parts for all of the available processes to produce CF parts. In this study only one CF moulding process will be investigated, namely compression moulding. The moulds will be designed to be manufactured as cheaply and as quickly as possible. Different methods of mould adapting have been studied to find the cheapest most suitable method of mould design for the LS process.

Additive manufacturing is an industrial process, developed in the early 1980s and currently used in several industries such as the medical, aircraft and automotive industries. In the first place,additive manufacturing was mostly usedby manufacturing industries to produce prototypes, models and patterns. Nowadays, this technology can be used at any point in the lifecycle of a product from pre-production(rapid prototyping and rapid tooling) to production (direct manufacturing). This technology is especially adapted for the production of limited series of small and geometrically complex components.The purpose of this study is to identify howadditive manufacturing affects operational performance during the development and production phases, specifically in the case of the automotive industry.With this purpose in mind, I have collected primary and secondary data through a qualitative study using both in-depth semi-structured interviewsand archival records found on automotive companies’ websites. The objective of collecting multiple sources datawas to gain a reliable and comprehensive perception of the situation and understand the effects of additive manufacturing on operational performance, and more precisely on the seven production wastesdefined on lean practices, to be able to answer my research question. The data are analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach and testthe presupposition that emerged from the empirical findings. Through the analysis of the data collected, I came to the conclusion that additive manufacturing is mostly used during the prototyping phase and sometimes also used for rapid tooling. But it appears that this technology is only used for direct manufacturing in some specific niche markets such as luxury carmakers. Another interesting finding concerns the use of additive manufacturing for marketing purpose. Concerning operational performance, the impacts of additivemanufacturing remainlimited, and contrary to what some authors said, the use of this technology is still marginal in the automotive industry compared to traditional manufacturing.

O uso de componentes injetados de plástico aumentou nos últimos anos na maioria dos segmentos industriais. Como resultado, os processos envolvidos no projeto e na fabricação de moldes de injeção ganharam uma significativa atenção devido a grande complexidade, necessidade de baixo custo e, principalmente, curto tempo de manufatura. O uso de técnicas de Prototipagem e Ferramental Rápido (Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Tooling) surgiram como opções para esse setor, visando à rápida obtenção de peças protótipos. Porém, um dos desafios ainda presente está em garantir que as peças protótipos resultantes dessas técnicas atendam todas as dimensões solicitadas em aplicações reais. Este trabalho aborda a aplicação de materiais alternativos para a fabricação de moldes híbridos de injeção, dentro do conceito de Ferramental Rápido, com o objetivo de contribuir para uma melhor compreensão da influência desses materiais na qualidade final das peças protótipos obtidas. Um molde experimental, instrumentalizado com sensores de temperatura e, com uma das cavidades intercambiável, foi projetado e manufaturado para a injeção de uma peça de referência. As diferentes propriedades dos materiais utilizados na cavidade intercambiável, principalmente as propriedades térmicas, foram analisadas, bem como a influência dessas no produto final. Doze configurações diferentes (material da cavidade temperatura do molde) foram definidas para a obtenção de amostras. O experimento foi definido com o apoio de simulação matemática computacional. As amostras obtidas foram analisadas com relação as suas propriedades mecânicas (resistência ao impacto e à tração), propriedades físicas (dimensionamento, estudo morfológico e de cristalinidade) e propriedades químicas onde o grau de contaminação por metais pesados foi avaliado. As conclusões obtidas nesse trabalho mostram a importância da influência do material da cavidade do molde, e apresentam uma correlação das diferentes variáveis de processo com as propriedades obtidas nas peças protótipos injetadas através de técnica de Ferramental Rápido. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-14T19:23:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Deives R Bareta.pdf: 9212045 bytes, checksum: 2808a91c52ab325c093e19f6e0199ed0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-14T19:23:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Deives R Bareta.pdf: 9212045 bytes, checksum: 2808a91c52ab325c093e19f6e0199ed0 (MD5) / The application of plastic components has grown significantly in most of industrial segments during last years. This has attracted considerably attention for the injection mould design and manufacturing processes, which is one of the most expensive phases of injected plastic components development process. Techniques such as Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Tooling have appeared as potential solution in the field. However, one issue not resolved is how the prototypes obtained by these techniques can attend all features demanded by a true prototype. This research explores the application of softer alternative material to hybrid prototype injection moulds within the concept of rapid tooling, providing a better understanding about the influence of these materials in the final properties of plastic injected prototypes. An experimental injection mould, assembled with temperature sensors, and with interchangeability of the moulding blocks (core and cavity) has been designed and manufactured based on a tubular reference component. The different properties of the core materials, in special thermal, have been analyzed, as well as their influence on the reference component. A set of twelve configurations (core material mould temperature) have been defined to obtain the samples. Mathematical computational simulation was used to identify the more appropriate injection moulding parameters. The final samples have been analyzed in terms of mechanical properties (stress-strain and impact), physical properties (dimensions, morphology and crystallinity) and chemical properties. The conclusions show the influence of alternative materials, applied to core injection mould, on the final injected components. Also, a relationship between the different injection moulding parameters and the final prototype component properties are discussed.

O uso de componentes injetados de plástico aumentou nos últimos anos na maioria dos segmentos industriais. Como resultado, os processos envolvidos no projeto e na fabricação de moldes de injeção ganharam uma significativa atenção devido a grande complexidade, necessidade de baixo custo e, principalmente, curto tempo de manufatura. O uso de técnicas de Prototipagem e Ferramental Rápido (Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Tooling) surgiram como opções para esse setor, visando à rápida obtenção de peças protótipos. Porém, um dos desafios ainda presente está em garantir que as peças protótipos resultantes dessas técnicas atendam todas as dimensões solicitadas em aplicações reais. Este trabalho aborda a aplicação de materiais alternativos para a fabricação de moldes híbridos de injeção, dentro do conceito de Ferramental Rápido, com o objetivo de contribuir para uma melhor compreensão da influência desses materiais na qualidade final das peças protótipos obtidas. Um molde experimental, instrumentalizado com sensores de temperatura e, com uma das cavidades intercambiável, foi projetado e manufaturado para a injeção de uma peça de referência. As diferentes propriedades dos materiais utilizados na cavidade intercambiável, principalmente as propriedades térmicas, foram analisadas, bem como a influência dessas no produto final. Doze configurações diferentes (material da cavidade temperatura do molde) foram definidas para a obtenção de amostras. O experimento foi definido com o apoio de simulação matemática computacional. As amostras obtidas foram analisadas com relação as suas propriedades mecânicas (resistência ao impacto e à tração), propriedades físicas (dimensionamento, estudo morfológico e de cristalinidade) e propriedades químicas onde o grau de contaminação por metais pesados foi avaliado. As conclusões obtidas nesse trabalho mostram a importância da influência do material da cavidade do molde, e apresentam uma correlação das diferentes variáveis de processo com as propriedades obtidas nas peças protótipos injetadas através de técnica de Ferramental Rápido. / The application of plastic components has grown significantly in most of industrial segments during last years. This has attracted considerably attention for the injection mould design and manufacturing processes, which is one of the most expensive phases of injected plastic components development process. Techniques such as Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Tooling have appeared as potential solution in the field. However, one issue not resolved is how the prototypes obtained by these techniques can attend all features demanded by a true prototype. This research explores the application of softer alternative material to hybrid prototype injection moulds within the concept of rapid tooling, providing a better understanding about the influence of these materials in the final properties of plastic injected prototypes. An experimental injection mould, assembled with temperature sensors, and with interchangeability of the moulding blocks (core and cavity) has been designed and manufactured based on a tubular reference component. The different properties of the core materials, in special thermal, have been analyzed, as well as their influence on the reference component. A set of twelve configurations (core material mould temperature) have been defined to obtain the samples. Mathematical computational simulation was used to identify the more appropriate injection moulding parameters. The final samples have been analyzed in terms of mechanical properties (stress-strain and impact), physical properties (dimensions, morphology and crystallinity) and chemical properties. The conclusions show the influence of alternative materials, applied to core injection mould, on the final injected components. Also, a relationship between the different injection moulding parameters and the final prototype component properties are discussed.

This diploma thesis describes Rapid Prototyping methods. It introduces their overview, principles, advantages and disadvantages. This project also deals with aplication and comparison of modifications of samples made by Fused Deposition Modeling. Findings from tests of mechanical features (pulling test and bending test) are used for comparison.

No description available.