This Rapid Tooling Workshop will introduce attendees to ways in which additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP) can be used to quickly and inexpensively produce short run tooling for a variety of processes. Examples include 3D printed injection mold inserts, investment casting patterns, assembly jigs and fixtures, sand casting patterns, vacuum thermoforming tools, sheet metal forming dies, and more. The workshop will consist of instructional presentations followed by hands-on interactive demonstrations.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into ways that 3D printed tooling allows them to produce small/medium quantities of parts using the same materials and processes as the intended end-use application. Mechanical designers, industrial designers, manufacturing engineers, and academics will benefit from knowledge gained in this workshop.