3D Printed Cooling Block for Hot Stamping Mold
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hot stamping molds are prone to corrosion and have low cooling efficiency due to the use of conventional materials and manufacturing methods, leading to high costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method using a 3D metal printer to fabricate cooling channels on a curved surface, where only the contact parts between the molds are made from expensive, high-thermal-conductivity materials, while less expensive materials are used for non-contact parts, optimizing cooling performance and reducing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials and manufacturing methods are used for the entire cooling block, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but material costs increase and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials to different regions of the cooling block based on functional requirements. The contact surface that requires high durability and thermal conductivity is made from expensive high-performance material, while non-contact portions use less expensive materials. This local differentiation reduces overall material cost while maintaining performance where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling block is divided into multiple portions or regions, allowing selective application of materials. The contact surface portion is separated from the non-contact portions, enabling independent material selection and optimization for each region's specific functional requirements.
2Temperature
If expensive high-thermal-conductivity materials are used throughout the cooling block, then cooling efficiency is maximized, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
High-thermal-conductivity expensive materials are applied only to the contact surface portion where thermal transfer is critical, rather than throughout the entire cooling block. This localized application maximizes cooling efficiency at the critical interface while minimizing material costs in non-critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying high-performance material uniformly across the entire cooling block, the patent applies it partially only where most needed (the contact surface). This partial action achieves sufficient cooling efficiency without the excessive cost of complete coverage.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing methods are used, then manufacturing process simplicity is maintained, but cooling channel fabrication on curved surfaces is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical manufacturing methods (like gun drilling) with additive manufacturing technology. This substitution enables the fabrication of cooling channels on curved surfaces and complex geometries that are impossible to achieve with traditional mechanical processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing approach transitions from subtractive (drilling, machining) to additive (3D printing) processes. This parameter change in the manufacturing method fundamentally expands the capability to create cooling channels on curved surfaces and complex geometries while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
4Reliability
If the entire cooling block is made from high-performance material, then durability and mechanical properties are maximized, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
High-performance durable materials are applied only to the contact surface portion where durability and mechanical properties are critically needed. Non-contact portions use less expensive materials, reducing overall cost while maintaining reliability where it matters most.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling block is segmented into contact and non-contact portions, allowing independent material optimization. The contact portion receives high-performance material for durability, while non-contact portions use cost-effective materials, achieving reliability optimization without excessive cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances cooling efficiency and reduces material costs, resulting in improved economic and procedural efficiencies by maximizing the use of expensive materials only where necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a process of second step for forming an upper block to form channels using a 3D metal printer respectively on the plurality of semicircular channels formed in the lower block
Implementation Method 2
a cooling block having channels through which cooling water passes is provided within the hot stamping mold
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a cooling block for a hot stamping mold using a three-dimensional (3D) metal printer, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a cooling block for a hot stamping mold using a 3D metal printer including a process of first step for forming a plurality of semicircular channels through which a fluid passes on a lower block, and a process of second step for forming an upper block to form channels using a 3D metal printer respectively on the plurality of semicircular channels formed in the lower block along the plurality of semicircular channels.