After successfully completing beta testing, Mantle‘s metal 3D printing system for tooling takes its market run. California-based Westec Plastics is the first customer to receive Mantle’s production 3D printing system for tooling. The system reduces manufacturing time and is showing significant success in a variety of projects.
“Having the Mantle equipment in-house enables Westec to complete prototype and production steel tooling inserts with a much shorter lead time than standard mold builds,” said Tammy Barras, President of Westec Plastics. “This will benefit our customers by providing production-quality steel tooling with aluminum tooling lead times.”
In particular, it highlights the ability to produce steel tooling at the speed of aluminum tooling.
Another customer, Westminster Tool of Connecticut, has been successfully using a Beta system from Mantle for more than a year. The company manufactured a complex mold insert for an industrial customer and was able to eliminate more than 180 hours of EDM work and all CAM programming.
“The advantages of Mantle’s technology are multiplied when it replaces traditional EDM operations. Running almost entirely unattended, it allows us to accomplish similar geometries with a fraction of the personnel and skill level.” commented Hillary Thomas, Westminster Tool vice president.
Mantle will be at the Molding and Moldmaking Conference in Minneapolis and will join Westminster Tool and Nicolet Plastics in presenting “Metal 3D Printing that Makes Dollars and Sense.” This will highlight the financial and operational benefits of the Mantle system.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
3DPresso is a weekly newsletter that links to the most exciting global stories from the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.
