A new flexible digital-manufacturing process for product development and small-batch production of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) parts — iCast LSR (photo) — enables manufacturers to develop product variations or try out different design concepts before investing in serial production tools. In addition, the process enables the start of pre-series and series production with small batches, to close the gap between low- and high-volume production. It is an adaptable five-step modular process that utilizes digitization and new manufacturing techniques to dramatically decrease the time required to produce prototypes, says the company. The process starts with the submission of 3D part data and order details. A feasibility study based on artificial intelligence (AI) is triggered to confirm if the iCast LSR process is suitable for production of the part. Upon completion of the feasibility study, the part design is analyzed, and the individual digital-mold layout is created based on 3D data. In a virtual environment, this process identifies the optimum production process for the use of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies in order to achieve the best possible quality. — Trelleborg Sealing Solutions AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Accelerate product development and small-batch production
| By Mary Page Bailey