TY - JOUR AU - Combrinck, J AU - van As, B AU - Booysen, G.J. AU - de Beer, D.J. PY - 2019/11/15 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF DIRECT METAL LASER SINTERED MARAGING STEEL INSERTS FOR PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING PROCESS JF - The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering JA - S AFR J IND ENG VL - 30 IS - 3 SE - Special Edition DO - 10.7166/30-3-2263 UR - http://sajie.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/2263 SP - 52-62 AB - <p>This paper describes an investigation into the possible heat transfer benefits of conformal cooling channels using maraging steel MS1 inserts, which could result in a reduction of cycle times and cost per product, and improve part quality by eliminating defects such as warpage and heat sinks. A manufacturing cost and lead-time comparison showed that a conventionally manufactured insert reached its break-even point after fewer injection moulding cycles than an additive manufactured insert, due to its lower manufacturing costs. During high-volume production, the additive manufactured insert becomes more profitable to use, due to its shorter cycle times.</p> ER -