A Flexible Moldmaking Solution

3D KeltoolŪ is the only commercially proven rapid moldmaking solution that produces prototype, bridge, and production inserts in a prototype timeframe. It is ideal for rapidly creating complex part geometries and feature-dense inserts for injection molding and die casting applications.

Hundreds of 3D Keltool users have made thousands of inserts that have produced millions of molded parts. 3D Systems is now licensing this fast tooling technology to moldmakers wanting to have an advanced time-compression tooling solution in-house.

Production Tooling in a Prototype Timeframe - a commercially proven moldmaking solution from 3D Systems

• Faster mold completion
• Lower moldmaking costs
• Improve competitiveness
• A tool in the moldmaker's toolbox

Typical 3D Keltool Applications:

• Meet critical delivery deadlines
• Produce molds requiring a lot of EDM electrode work
• Make complex mold geometry & feature-dense designs
• Decreased cycle times and improved mold cooling
• An alternative to CNC on difficult to machine details
• Produce multiple cavity molds quickly
• When only a pattern or no 3D CAD data is available

Key benefits include:

• Increase moldmaker productivity by 2x
• Lower moldmaking costs 25-40%
• Accelerate mold deliveries
• Increase production capacity
• Reduce cycle time by 30% or more
• 1,000,000+ shots possible
• Proven with a wide variety of materials
• Ideal for injection molding and die casting

Be Competitive in the Global Marketplace

Time-to-market and increased competition are two of the issues challenging moldmakers' ability to succeed. As product lifecycles become shorter, customers are pushing to maximize product life and revenue by demanding faster deliveries. In addition, the growing global marketplace is enabling countries with lower labor rates to successfully compete in what used to be isolated markets. The resulting increase in competition is placing pressure on moldmakers to become more competitive.

Moldmakers are now strengthening their competitive advantage by using 3D Keltool. Accelerating mold deliveries enables them to hold onto current business while going after new opportunities. 3D Keltool gives moldmakers the ability to increase capacity and make molds faster and at lower cost. 3D Keltool helps companies compete in the global marketplace and gives them a tool they need to survive.

3D Keltool Delivers

Molded Parts in Production Materials

• Engineering plastics & die casting metals
• Accuracy to within +/- 0.2%
• Rockwell Hardness (Rc) of up to 50
• Excellent process for multicavity

Fast Molds at a Lower Cost

• 3D Keltool inserts in 8 calendar days
• Reduce costs 25-40% compared with CNC tools for complex geometries
• CAD model to molded parts in as little as 3 weeks
• Ideal for multicavity mold applications

Outstanding Mold Properties

• Up to millions of injection molded parts from a single set of 3D Keltool inserts
• 500,000 to one-million-plus parts per mold for glass-filled resins is possible
• Molding cycle times accelerated by 30% due to improved thermal conductivity of copper loaded inserts
• 3D Keltool is a moldmaking tool that complements CNC and EDM machining