SLM Solutions produces injection mould tooling for face shields by metal AM

June 5, 2020

As part of its Additive Alliance Against Corona initiative, SLM Solutions has metal additively manufactured plastic injection tooling moulds used to produce face shield headbands for the Manufacturing & Advocacy Growth Network (MAGNET), a manufacturing consulting firm based in Ohio, USA. SLM Solutions produced the moulds at its Wixom, Michigan, USA facility, enabling MAGNET to save time and money in additively manufacturing the tooling needed to produce the face shields quickly. 

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the Governor of Ohio formed the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19, of which MAGNET was a part. MAGNET then sought to acquire injection mould tools to assist in the manufacturing of face shields, specifically the headbands. 

Dave Pierson, Senior Design Engineer at MAGNET, chose to pursue the AM of injection mould tools to bypass conventional supply-chain complications. “I chose SLM Solutions because of their quad laser system,” he stated. “We needed the parts as soon as possible. The speed and throughput that their quad laser machine has available was a critical aspect of the decision to work together.”   

Jill Christner, President of SLM Solutions Americas, halted normal day to day activities at the company’s Wixom facility and gave MAGNET’s project top priority. “Responding quickly to MAGNET’s project was important for SLM Solutions,” she stated. “It is an honor to be a small part of the solution to protect the health and safety of those who serve as well as utilising the value of our additive technology to quickly produce new products and designs reducing the lead time of traditionally casted methods.” 

SLM Solutions was able to additively manufacture the mould using 316 stainless steel; the build was completed in two halves, each taking four days to build and one day for heat treatment. 

“SLM exceeded my expectations on their quality and delivery. Once received, the SLM print had to have some finish machining and polishing but then was quickly mounted to the machine base and we were up and running,” commented Pierson. “The SLM additively manufactured mold is now producing face shields that are being used by medical professionals across the state of Ohio.”  

 www.slm-solutions.com 

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • Kennametal: The story of the successful commercialisation of AM hardmetal and steel solutions
  • General Atomics Aeronautical on metal Additive Manufacturing’s place at the centre of the digital manufacturing revolution
  • Adrian Keppler on Additive Manufacturing: An insider’s assessment from the outside
  • Metal AM’s journey to industrialisation: Are we there yet? And what does the destination even look like?
  • A stronger future, layer by layer: How next-generation software will drive adoption of metal AM
  • Volkmann: Making the case for the complete automation of powder handling in AM
  • Metal AM on an industrial scale: GKN Additive draws on decades of sintering expertise to commercialise Binder Jetting
  • International Conference on Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing: Highlights from EBAM 2023

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data
View online
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap