12th Tooling Conference & Exhibition - Tooling 2022

In this paper, a concept for hybrid forming tools with complex shape and conformal cooling channels is outlined. By using indirect additive manufacturing (AM) of sand molds via Binder Jetting technology and state of the art casting process as well as Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) and the latest of AM tool steel powder development to manufacture a complex press hardening tool, the authors show the suitability of AM for the tooling industry. Considering the materials used, this case study addresses the high demands on strength, wear resistance and thermal conductivity for such tools.