Additive manufacturing in the development of patterns and low-cost tooling for in-class manufacture

Department of Industrial Design, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

In this paper I present various approaches to low-cost tooling for the manufacture of small plastic objects as part of in-class technology and manufacture demonstrations. This is done with the utilisation of 3D printing in the prototyping and tooling processes. Although Additive Manufacturing and resin tooling is common practice in industry, what I do is link it to experimental teaching in the University environment, allowing students to engage with low-cost tooling and Lean Manufacturing methodologies within their own learning processes. With moulds being low-cost, it allows for more experimentation in the design process, inviting opportunities for experimentation and innovation. Various student projects and lectures will be presented and discussed.