Composite Tooling

Composite Parts in days not months

Creating complex composite parts with hollow interiors presents a unique manufacturing challenge.

With the aid of Stratasys 3D printers TriMech can create hollow composite parts by applying a sacrificial tooling production technique with a thermoplastic material that dissolves in a basic (> 7 pH) solution.

Complex tools can be 3D printed after curing, eliminating secondary processes like mold making and accelerating the development and production of composite structures. 

We print your Composite Parts

  • Using 3D Printing TriMech can produce cost-effective, high-temperature, custom tools in days — instead of the weeks or months required for traditional tooling processes.
  • 3D printing can address market demand for large tooling applications (e.g. airplane wings) by joining or bonding segmented tooling.
Composite Tooling Production

Improved fabrication of composite parts

3D printing sacrificial tooling improves the fabrication process for your composite parts

Composite layup tool

Low Volume High Product Mix

3D printing sacrificial tooling is suitable for the low volumes and high product mix typical in the composites industry.

Sacrificial composite tooling withstands autoclave operations and simplifies hollow composite construction by dissolving after cure, leaving only the finished part.

      Composite Parts

      Optimized Build Speed

      3D printed sacrificial tooling, similar to composite manufacturing using eutectic salt tooling, ensures that we can produce trapped-tooling shapes without the need for multi-piece tools.

      Parts are 3D printed with a permeable triangle fill pattern designed to optimize build speed, conserve material and dissolve quickly.

          Composite tool male

          Cost Effective Product Customization

          The ability to quickly make multiple design iterations allows TriMech to meet your product customization and testing requirements without the need to produce conventional lay-up tooling. This allows us to pass on the time savings with cost for composite part production.

              Composite tooling example

              Client Benefits

              A cost-effective alternative method for producing complex composite parts with hollow interiors

              Complex tooling simplified

              Our 3D printing services simplifies the process where traditional tooling is used to fabricate complex composite parts, examples are:

              • Collapsible tooling
              • Inflatable and shape-memory bladders
              • Wash-out tooling
              • Multi-piece bonded assemblies
              • Closed clamshell molds
              • Clamshell molds combined with removable tooling

              3D printer sacrificial tooling is best used for composite fabrication applications where the lay-up process would fully enclose the tool, making removal especially difficult using multi-piece, collapsible tooling or where the tooling is impossible to retrieve.

              Using 3D printing services provides a good business case for replacing existing methods by offering the following benefits:

              • Eliminates the need for additional tooling or molds for sacrificial tool production
              • Provides a robust process that can be transported and handled without damage
              • Withstands the mechanical stresses of conventional lay-up procedures
              • Offers significant design freedom and the ability to quickly iterate designs

              Industries we work with

              TriMech services are used in a wide variety of industries

              Architecture 3D Printing

              Architecture & Construction

              • Model making
              • Urban planning
              • Concepts
              Consumer Product 3D printing

              High Tech & Consumer Products

              • Aesthetic and function testing
              • Concepts and prototypes
              • Sales and marketing models
              Industrial design 3D printing

              Industrial Design & Manufacturing

              • Aerospace
              • Automotive
              • Defense
              • Industrial equipment
              • Marine and offshore
              • Oil and gas
              Medical 3D printing

              Dental, Medical & Life Sciences

              • Anatomical models
              • Medical devices
              • Orthopedics
              • Prosthetics
              • Surgical planning models
              Mold tool die 3D printing

              Industrial Products, Mold Tool & Die

              • Jigs, fixtures, and assembly tooling
              • Injection molding
              • Silicone molding
              • Sand and investment casting
              • Thermoforming

              Interested in Composite Tooling?

              Call 888.392.0957 or Upload Your Part