Searching for alternatives to traditional manufacturing methods, both scientists and companies are looking for solutions that will allow them to use the best features of various technologies. Danish start’up AddiFab is the creator of the FIM (Freeform Injection Molding) method, which is based on the advantages of additive technology and injection molding. Now the company has announced that as part of the partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical they are beginning to provide manufacturing services in their proprietary technology.
Freeform Injection Molding technology is based on creating inserts for injection molds in 3D printing technology and making elements using injection technology. This solution allows the use of design freedom offered by additive manufacturing technology, while providing a surface finish characteristic of injection molding.
Lasse Staal, CEO of AddiFab says that FIM technology has been developed to overcome the most important limitations of injection molding technology. The creators managed to integrate design freedom with shorter time and lower implementation costs (compared to the injection molding method), while maintaining high quality of injection production. Customers using the service can simultaneously use a wide spectrum of materials dedicated to traditional manufacturing techniques.
AddiFab started cooperation with Mitsubishi Chemical in 2019. After many months of intensive work, the companies decided to start providing services in this area. Manufacturing processes from the beginning of the third quarter of this year will be carried out at the Mitsubishi Chemical plant in Mesa (Arizona). Then, production will start sequentially at production plants in Belgium and Japan.
Randy White, director of innovation at Mitsubishi Chemical, says that by partnering with AddiFab they knew they were dealing with a groundbreaking combination of 3D printing and injection molding. As the main advantage, the representative mentions the possibility of reducing the weight of manufactured elements while maintaining high strength parameters of the detail.
Source: www.centrumdruku3d.pl