| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L41486/01 |
| Title: |
RAPID MOULD TOOLING FOR THE POLYMER INDUSTRY |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dalgarno, Professor KW |
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| Department: |
Mechanical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 April 1997 |
Ends: |
31 March 2000 |
Value (£): |
261,392
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Manufacturing Machine & Plant |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The proposal addresses major questions about viability and usability of metal tooling, produced using a rapid manufacturing process, namely selective laser sintering (sls) that potentially offers advantages in the moulding of plastics and elastomers. It is concerned with the wear of such tools under varying operating conditions, the reduction of cycle times through the design of heating and/or cooling channels, and the dissemination of best practice by design guides. The research will be carried out in collaboration with companies able to contribute, guide and support it. A tribological approach to tool wear assessment will identify the wear mechanisms occurring during moulding and attempt to relate the corresponding depth wear rates to the calculated surface loading, amount of sliding and the combination of tool and work material properties. Finite element models of heat transfer within the tools will be developed to assess how ell heat is transferred between the part being moulded and the tool. Mechanical behaviour of the tools will also be modelled in order that tool strength and mechanical durability can be assessed. Thermal and mechanical modelling together will guide experimental possibilities for improved tool designs made possible by the sls technology.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |