Production Tooling In A Prototype Timeframe
3D Keltool is ideal for the rapid production of die casting and injection molded parts. 3D Keltool is exceptional at reproducing complex geometries and intricate features. In fact, features as small as 0.0016 in. (40 microns) have been reproduced. Surface finish is SPE 3 and it can be polished to SPE 2 which equates to a surface finish of 20 - 25 microinches. The tools are versatile and can be post-processed like conventional tools - subjecting them to polishing, texturing, grinding, welding, EDM, plating, and heat-treating is typical. The tools offer long life with excellent wear characteristics and many users have recorded millions of shots. One customer has reported over 13 million shots.

A Flexible Tooling Solution
3D Keltool is a flexible tooling solution that creates prototype, bridge, or production tooling inserts all in a prototype timeframe. It only takes eight calendar days to produce 3D Keltool inserts, so new inserts can be quickly produced when mold designs are changed. If mold changes do not necessitate the creation of new 3D Keltool inserts, then the same set of 3D Keltool inserts could even be used as prototype, bridge, and production molds. For prototype use, the inserts can be quickly used to produce small quantities of parts by removing the molded parts manually. After the initial run, the prototype tools could be modified as required and then have the ejector system added. The next step would involve setting the tool up in the injection molding press and shooting enough parts to allow the mold to be removed, modified as required, and heat treated (hardened). Once the production mold is finished and put back in the press, the tool would be capable of shooting many thousands of parts (up to a million or more depending on part and mold geometry, part material, mold design, gating, etc.).