3D printed extrusion blow molding molds for rapid, low-cost design iterations

3D printed extrusion blow molding molds within hours at ½ the costs to enable quick design changes

Summary

Challenge

Eurecat needed an efficient and cost-effective solution for producing extrusion blow molding (EBM) molds, particularly for the complex air duct components used in automotive manufacturing. Traditional CNC machining methods were too slow and costly and couldn’t offer the necessary design flexibility.

Solution

HP’s 3D printing technology using HP 3D HR PA 12 material allowed Eurecat to design and produce EBM molds quickly and accurately. This solution improved the mold’s performance and enabled more complex geometries, reducing the reliance on traditional machining methods.

Value

The solution achieved a 46% cost reduction compared to CNC-machined molds. It also reduced production time significantly, from several days to just hours. The ability to test multiple designs quickly allowed for more efficient and flexible manufacturing processes.