Finnish tire mold manufacturer TP Tools OY has announced the acquisition of a FormUp 350 metal powder bed 3D printer from French metal additive manufacturing company AddUp. This strategic move positions them at the forefront of technology in the production of tire grooving patterns (a key component of tire molds). The investment aims to optimize manufacturing processes, shorten delivery times, and accelerate innovation and research and development in tire molds.
By introducing metal 3D printing technology, TP Tools has transitioned the production of tire grooving patterns from outsourcing to in-house manufacturing, significantly reducing outsourcing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. The deployment of the FormUp 350 strengthens their production process control capabilities, ensuring higher quality tire molds for customers while shortening delivery times, thus fulfilling the company’s core commitments.
The FormUp 350 brings three major technical advantages to TP Tools: first, design freedom. It supports highly customized complex geometries, driving innovative tire mold designs; second, scalable production. The 350mm x 350mm large printing platform can produce complete segments of tire molds in one go; third, surface precision innovation. The integration of roller compaction and fine powder processes achieves extremely low surface roughness, significantly reducing post-processing requirements. The equipment demonstrates consistency across cycles and devices in industrial-grade production, ensuring reliability in mass production.
With thirty years of expertise in tire molds, TP Tools leverages the cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology of the FormUp 350 to further solidify its position as a global industry partner. The company has continuously driven tire product upgrades since the 1970s, and this technological integration reaffirms its commitment to mold quality, safety, and performance, aiming to empower safer and more efficient tire solutions through innovation.
Kunlun Speaks
The cycle from design to production using 3D printing is shorter than the traditional modeling to CNC cycle, allowing for faster development of new molds and patterns. The industry should emphasize the role of technological innovation in enhancing production cycles and efficiency, and improve their production efficiency and market responsiveness by adopting advanced technologies.
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