SLM Metal Melting 3D Printing Technology

Metal 3D printing revolutionizes shoe mold manufacturing process

As one of the traditional processing industries, the complete process of shoe mold manufacturing includes design, wood mold manufacturing, casting, mold making, biting, sandblasting, electroplating/spraying PTFE protective treatment, and other processes. The entire processing process is very complex, with long cycles and high costs, requiring a large amount of labor and meeting strict green and environmental requirements, as well as diverse and personalized customer needs.

（SLM Metal Melting 3D Printing Technology）

The traditional shoe mold manufacturing process is mainly divided into:

1.Model Design

2.Manufacturing of wooden/wax molds

3.Silicone mold

4.Gypsum mold

5.CNC Casting Metal Molds

6.Reverse mold making

7.Surface corrosion and bite marks

8.Surface sandblasting

9.Electroplating/spraying PTFE protective treatment

The manufacturing process of shoe molds using metal melting 3D printing technology mainly includes:

1. Model Design

（Model Design）

2. SLM Casting Metal Mold

（Casting metal begins to lay the foundation）

3.Surface biting flower

（SLM Casting Metal Mold）

4.Surface sandblasting

（Surface biting flower）

5.Electroplating/spraying PTFE protective treatment

(Shoe mold)

Application scenarios

Compared to the simplification of SLA process, SLM metal 3D printing technology is a fundamental innovation in the entire molding production process. SLM technology can eliminate the complex process of traditional shoe mold manufacturing, and directly manufacture metal shoe molds with bite patterns in one step. It does not require repeated mold casting or etching of concave and convex textures on the metal mold through acid corrosion, greatly simplifying the production process of shoe molds, achieving faster product delivery, more three-dimensional pattern presentation effects, and more environmentally friendly manufacturing methods, helping enterprises improve cost, quality, and efficiency.

（Detail Display of Metal Melting 3D Printing Technology Finished Products）

Application advantages

1.Design Freedom and Flexibility: Unrestricted by manufacturing methods, achieving lightweight structural design, personalized, complex and diversified customization, making design more free and flexible.

2.Simple process: Direct metal 3D printing integrated forming can eliminate processes such as wooden molds, casting, and bite marks, shorten the molding cycle, and achieve rapid delivery.

3.Fine texture: By optimizing printing process parameters, the bite pattern accuracy is achieved with a tolerance of ± 0.03mm, ensuring printing efficiency while achieving a more three-dimensional pattern presentation effect.

4.Intelligent, efficient, and low-cost: digital technology and intelligent control save labor and production costs.

5.High material utilization rate: High performance metal powder materials are printed and formed, sturdy and durable, with a material utilization rate of nearly 100%

6.Low carbon and environmental protection: Digital biting technology eliminates the chemical corrosion biting process, making the molding process more environmentally friendly and low-carbon.