TY - JOUR AU - Launhardt, Martin AU - Drexler, Maximilian AU - Drummer, Dietmar PY - 2015/05/12 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Rapid-Manufacturing-Process for Elastomeric Components JF - International Journal of Recent Contributions from Engineering, Science & IT (iJES) JA - Int. J. Recent Contrib. Eng. Sci. IT VL - 3 IS - 2 SE - Papers DO - 10.3991/ijes.v3i2.4593 UR - https://online-journals.org/index.php/i-jes/article/view/4593 SP - pp. 4-9 AB - The Selective Laser Sintering Process ofthermoplastics (SLS) enables the manufacturing ofcomponents with complex shape in a short time periodwithout the manufacturing of a specific mold. However, thismanufacturing process is limited by the restricted range ofmaterials. In contrast to this primary shaping process,vacuum casting allows a quick, inexpensive and highlyaccurate process but it is limited to the reproduction ofalready existing models. In a novel rapid tooling method,these two processes are combined. Thus, silicone parts canbe manufactured using SLS molds. The manufacturing ofelastomeric parts in the vacuum casting process using SLSmolds is being investigated. Therefore, the adhesion ofsilicone to the SLS mold, as well as the resulting mechanicalproperties of the elastomeric parts are investigated. The combination of the SLS process and the vacuum casting process allows the rapid manufacturing of complex elastomeric parts with sufficient mechanicalproperties. The surface roughness of the SLS mold influences the adhesion of the casting material to the mold, as well as the mechanical properties of the manufactured elastomeric components. The synergy of using selective laser sintered molds with the vacuum casting technique displays anovel rapid manufacturing method. ER -