Students of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering with a study on designing and manufacturing 3D printing equipment (AM) integrated on CNC milling machines improve efficiency in plastic injection mold manufacturing

With the aim of developing 3D printing technology applied in mold manufacturing in Vietnam, the research team consisting of 05 students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tien Dung, successfully carried out the research project “Study on designing and manufacturing 3D printing equipment (AM) integrated on CNC milling machines to improve efficiency in plastic injection mold manufacturing”. The research was highly appreciated by the Acceptance Council and won the First Prize of the 13th Student Scientific Research Competition of Hanoi University of Industry.

Nguyen Dang Hoan (4th from the right) represented the research team to receive the First Prize at the 13th Conference for Summarizing and Awarding Students in Scientific Research

The research is highly appreciated by the Council and plays an important role in the mold industry of Vietnam in the future. First, in terms of scientific significance, the study shows the advantages and disadvantages of the device, thereby overcoming the disadvantages, promoting the advantages to create a perfect, modern, labor-saving device to reduce errors in the production process, improve productivity. Second, in practical terms, designing and manufacturing a device using domestic technology at a reasonable price is a great success. This helps to reduce the production cost of a product, avoid errors in quantity, increase efficiency, save time and labor by 60-70%. Therefore, the research team realizes that it is necessary to research and develop this topic.

4 main objectives of the research project: to study metal 3D printing technology based on GMAW welding method in a protective gas environment; Study the basic characteristics of CNC machines; Study the method of operating and controlling CNC milling machines; Research, design and integrate 3D printing equipment on CNC milling machines to serve machine parts processing and repair them when broken.

05 students Nguyen Dang Hoan, Nguyen Thanh Long, Pham Van Minh, Vu Tuan Duc and Do Hoang Long with supervisor Assoc.Prof.Dr.Hoang Tien Dung

The research team's representative shared: 3D printing technology (also known as additive manufacturing technology) is a technique where a three-dimensional (3D) object is created according to a 3D digital model by deposition of materials layer-by-layer using a 3D printer until a final structure is created.

3D printing technology concept

Experimental model

During the research, the team has successfully built a 3D printhead integrated into the CNC machine, has successfully built a technological process for manufacturing and repairing plastic injection molds applying 3D printing technology. After comparing and evaluating, it was found that the economic efficiency of the processing materials as well as the processing time is reduced by 60 - 70% compared to the traditional manufacturing method. The study provides a new development direction for Vietnam's mold technology and catches up with the development trend of 3D printing technology in the world.

Scientific research has helped the group of friends become close and stick together at Hanoi University of Industry

Nguyen Dang Hoan – a member of the research team shared: “Scientific research is very difficult, but it is a good opportunity for students to synthesize knowledge during university as well as learn new knowledge and modern technologies. As long as you have passion, never stop learning and working hard, you will do it.”