Case study

East/West Industries: a forming die 87% faster

Aerospace · FDM (Fortus 450mc, Nylon 12CF)

East/West Industries uses its Fortus 450mc for concept models, work-holding tools and assembly fixtures. Then a replacement sheet metal forming die was needed.

The challenge

Outsourcing a metal die would have taken about eight weeks.

The solution

Engineers printed the full-size die in FDM Nylon 12CF. The material gave the strength and rigidity needed. The complex shape was made without machining constraints.

The results

Printed and in use in less than a week instead of eight weeks: 87% shorter lead time
$4,000 saved: 80% lower cost

Application: Sheet metal forming

Printed dies in Nylon 12CF or ULTEM resin withstand rubber pad press and hydroforming for hundreds of cycles.

More about molding & forming tools

Source: Stratasys Application Guide and Stratasys case material. Photo: Stratasys.

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