Part Design
The design focused on durability and precision, leveraging the strength of PA6 with 30% glass fill.
Freeform Injection Molding Fan Wheel
FIM Project Stats
- Client: Piaggio / Vespa
- Material: PA6, 30% glass filled
- Tool Design: 1 hour
- Printer: XiP Desktop 3D Printer
- Print Time: 2h 53min in total
- xMOLD Resin Consumed: 677ml
- Demolding Time: 2 days
Challenge
The existing replacement fan wheels were not meeting customer quality expectations, with parts often breaking within the first year. A more advanced solution was needed for higher durability.
Solution
By using a high-performance material injected into 3D printed xMOLD cavities, SK Industriemodell could create a superior quality spare part.
Explore Timeline
Printed Mold
The two-piece mold was printed in 2 hours and 53 minutes on the XiP Desktop 3D Printer, consuming 677 ml of xMOLD resin.
FIM Process and Timing
The demolding process took 2 days, allowing for careful extraction of the final part.
Part Removal and Timing
The entire 3D printed mold was ejected from the metal tool frame with a single ejector pin, and the part was transferred to the dissolving station for mold dissolving.
Total Time to First Injected Molded Part:
Completed within 3 Days
Observations
The new approach demonstrated significant improvements in part quality and durability, meeting customer expectations for a longer-lasting product.
