Manufacturing of Non-Stick Molds from Pre-Painted Aluminum Sheets via Single Point Incremental Forming

Abstract

Featured Application: In this work we propose a method for deforming a pre-coated metal sheet via SPIF. The influence of the pitch and feed-rate on the dimensional precision has been studied. This work is of interest for companies dedicated to the manufacture of molds for the agri-food sector, which can directly manufacture prototypes or short series by this system. Abstract:The process of single point incremental formation (SPIF) awakens interest in the industry of mold manufacturing for the food industry. By means of SPIF, it is possible to generate short series of molds or mold prototypes at low cost. However, these industries require such molds to be functional (non-sticky) and to have an adequate geometry accuracy. This study presents a technique that enables direct manufacturing of molds from pre-coated sheets with non-stick resins. It has also studied the influence of two technological variables in the process (feed-rate and pitch) for different geometrical parameters of the mold. Low values of these variables result in a lower overall error in the profile obtained. However, in order to obtain greater detail in particular parameters (angles, depth), it is necessary to use higher values of feed-rate and pitch.

Special Issue on “Mechanical Behaviour of Aluminium Alloys”

“…For example, aluminium-magnesium alloys are commonly used as moulds for the food industry. The paper written by Rodriguez-Alabanda et al [3] proposed a novel method for the direct manufacture of non-stick moulds through a single-point incremental formation process, and studied the influence of the technological parameters on the dimensional precision of the moulds.…”

Influence of Lubrication and Cooling on the Quality of Single-Point Incremental Forming Parts of Polycarbonate Sheets

“…The problem of applying single-point incremental forming for the manufacture of molds usable in the food industry from aluminum sheets pre-coated with non-stick resins was addressed by Rodriguez-Alabanda et al [10]. The authors studied the influence of feed rate and pitch on the overall error of the part profile.…”