INFLUENCE OF POLYMER TYPE ON TOLERANCE IN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED BENDING DIES

Abstract

This research paper explores the influence of different polymer materials on the tolerance and performance of additively manufactured bending dies used in sheet metal forming. Traditional bending dies, commonly made from high-strength metals like steel, are both time-consuming and costly to produce, especially for small-batch or custom parts. Additive manufacturing (AM), specifically 3D printing, offers a cost-effective alternative by utilising polymers for the dies. The study employs Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using ANSYS software to compare the performance of polymer-based dies against conventional metal dies. It examines various parameters, including sheet thickness, material elasticity, and deformation behaviour during the bending process. The results highlight that while polymer dies show greater elastic deformation and springback compared to metal dies, certain materials like PLA and PET provide superior performance in terms of dimensional accuracy and durability.