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For more information contact Solidica (Ann Arbor, MI) at (734) 222-4680 or via its website at www.solidica.com.

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How It Works
The UC process and its unique machine combine the features of machining and rapid tooling into a one-button system for aluminum tooling. UC works from CAD, applying sound-to-merge layers of metal and produce true metallurgical bonds - creating tooling with specific feature-to-feature accuracy within +/-.002" to .005", depending on geometry, over the machine work envelope of 24"x 36". The combination of additive and subtractive manufacturing processes allows features - which normally require EDM to produce - to be fabricated on a single machine, with a single program, in a single operation.

A special applications software system has been developed that runs on the user's PC. Machine codes are created from standard CAD, STL and IGES files, or processed NC machine data. The software is designed to simplify part viewing and generation, while ensuring high dimensional accuracy and surface finish quality.

The machine itself is a self-contained unit, about the size of a smaller NC milling machine, and is designed to fit into most any machine shop. The machine is driven by an industrial-quality control system. Features of the system include industrial PC, PC-based soft CNC with ISO-compliant G-code programming, modem remote diagnostic functionality and standard operator screens for easy viewing. Users also have been given the ability to stop or recover a build.

By using this material deposition method with aluminum tape, the need to create a plastic or wax pattern, make a mold, or cast and finish a part is eliminated. Consequently, UC is useful for producing aluminum tooling for plastic injection molding, blow molding, tire molds, molds for composite lay-up or any other aluminum tooling application.

Cutting Costs, Building Profits
Because of the "one-step" nature of this solution, users can reduce costs in the tooling phase of their product development cycle by up to a factor of four. For example, the manufacture of a 10" x 12" x 3" prototype injection molding tool can typically require multiple processes over a two- to four-week period and cost up to $20,000. This new machine and UC technology can build the same tool in four consecutive days at a cost of $5,000.

The unique UC process immediately gives users the ability to improve margins by producing and duplicating complete injection mold inserts quickly and accurately without design flaws or secondary processes. Once inserts are removed from the machine, the only additional step they require is polishing or texturing. This elimination of costly finishing processes enables low-volume manufacturing; achieves machine tool accuracy and surface finish in a single step; and enhances visualization and testing capabilities. Operation costs also are reduced when it comes to materials, training and maintenance. For instance, in certain situations, material costs for the aluminum (or other material) tapes are up to 70 percent less than other RP system materials. Since the specialized software simplifies programming and operation of the machine, mold shop owners are able to use less experienced moldmakers to produce low-cost tooling for their customers. Finally, the machine is designed to be customer-operated and maintained, so there is no need for investment in long-term maintenance contracts, although the company offers them to interested users.

Timesavings
Often, timesavings are more important to moldmakers than cutting costs. With the new UC technology, users can produce a make-like-production tool; mold a few parts in various materials, colors, etc.; and obtain test-worthy parts in about the time it takes to produce a model of a part using existing RP technology such as stereolithography. This allows users to validate design decisions earlier in the production process at a lower cost (time and money) than other methods.

In addition, the one-step system produces tooling that can fabricate not just a few dozen, but a few thousand parts. This capability allows use for bridge tooling to support a product launch while hard tooling is manufactured - shortening leadtimes and reducing risk of design flaws.

User Benefits
This aluminum tooling solution allows parts to be produced quickly and inexpensively enough to supply parts in the designer's exact material of choice for both consumer and functional testing. This enables the design and manufacturing functions to work closely, and makes it cost effective to create tooling very early in the production process. As a result, manufacturing processes can be validated during the design and test cycle and appropriate adjustments can be made.

Also, many existing rapid tooling processes are limited with respect to the size of the tools that can be produced. The large 24" x 36" work envelope of this machine allows molds from large to very small to be fabricated with a high degree of accuracy. An added benefit is that multiple small molds can be fabricated simultaneously.

Confidentiality is another area where UC benefits manufacturers. The protection of new product designs is an area of increasing concern as product choices proliferate and design consciousness expands. Rapid tooling processes that are suitable for internal use by design and development engineers enable companies to keep sensitive product data in-house during the prototyping cycle. This ability reduces the risk incurred by releasing any part of product development to outside toolmakers.