102 lines
5.1 KiB
Plaintext
102 lines
5.1 KiB
Plaintext
---
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title: No Touch Tool with 3D printed mould
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slug: no-touch-tool-with-3d-printed-mould
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description: Develop a tool for engaging with frequently touched surfaces like door handles, pin pads, and light switches, reducing direct hand contact. This aids in minimizing the spread of Covid-19. Constructed from 3D-printed nylon, the tool allows for rapid mold production to address this need efficiently.
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tags: ["LDPE","mould","product","injection"]
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category: Moulds
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difficulty: Medium
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time: < 1 week
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location: Lancaster, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
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---
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import { Image } from 'astro:assets'
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# No Touch Tool with 3D printed mould
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<Image src={import('./20200610_130653-18391d2f2f8-18391d426ff.png')} alt="No Touch Tool with 3D printed mould" />
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Develop a tool for engaging with frequently touched surfaces like door handles, pin pads, and light switches, reducing direct hand contact. This aids in minimizing the spread of Covid-19. Constructed from 3D-printed nylon, the tool allows for rapid mold production to address this need efficiently.
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User Location: Lancaster, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
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## Steps
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### Step 1: Make or buy the mould
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Nylon was chosen for the mold due to its higher melting temperature compared to LDPE, used for making the No Touch Tools. Employing 3D-printed molds ensures minimal plastic usage, in contrast to CNC-machined polycarbonate sheets. While metal molds are preferable for durability and quality, they are more costly and environmentally impactful. The nylon molds have endured over 100 injections with minimal wear and offer a cost-effective alternative to metal molds.
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The molds were printed using an Ultimaker 3D printer.
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<Image src={import('./3D_printing.jpg')} alt="3D printing.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./383bf69d-ce83-4839-b0a2-d3e06588a402.jpg')} alt="383bf69d-ce83-4839-b0a2-d3e06588a402.jpg" />
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### Step 2: Make a clamp for the mould
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### Metal Mould Setup Tutorial
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For even pressure and heat dissipation, we placed metal plates (0.39 inches) on either side of the mold. Alternatively, consider designing bolt slots in the mold halves for direct clamping.
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Initially, we used through-bolts, which proved impractical. We switched to 0.39-inch steel plates clamped together with M10 bolts (0.39 inches). This improvement allows for easy mold removal and separation of parts, enhancing efficiency.
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<Image src={import('./IMG_5240.jpg')} alt="IMG_5240.jpg" />
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### Step 3: Inject into the mould
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We use LDPE from wheel nut indicators, noted for their vibrant color and quality. Injection temperature ranges between 160-170°C (320-338°F). For each tool, 40g (1.41 oz) of plastic is placed in the injection molder. Initial leakage ensures proper flow and excess plastic ensures the mold is completely filled. The injection is performed manually and slowly, maintaining pressure once the mold is filled, as indicated by overflow. The use of nylon molds insulates the plastic, preventing rapid cooling, thus requiring sustained pressure post-injection.
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<Image src={import('./Filling_injector.jpg')} alt="Filling injector.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./20200723_142104.jpg')} alt="20200723_142104.jpg" />
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### Step 4: Leave to cool and separate
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After injection, keep the molds clamped for 3 minutes to cool before removing the No Touch Tool. Removing the part too early may cause deformation. Do not exceed 6 minutes, as excessive shrinkage can hinder release.
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Unclamp the mold, carefully peel out the part, and allow molds to cool. A fan can accelerate this process. Using multiple molds and clamps allows for efficient cycle times, enabling new injections while previous ones cool.
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<Image src={import('./20200610_130653.jpg')} alt="20200610_130653.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./WhatsApp_Image_2020-07-21_at_18.20.46_2.jpeg')} alt="WhatsApp Image 2020-07-21 at 18.20.46 (2).jpeg" />
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### Step 5: Finishing
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Use a sharp knife to remove the sprue and any flashing. Drill a hole at the bottom for a keyring. Attach a retractable lanyard to keep the tool accessible while minimizing contamination risk.
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<Image src={import('./20200723_141726.jpg')} alt="20200723_141726.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./20200723_141750.jpg')} alt="20200723_141750.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./20200723_141918.jpg')} alt="20200723_141918.jpg" />
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### Step 6: Finished!
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Utilize tools to avoid direct contact with high-touch surfaces. Stay safe.
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<Image src={import('./ntt-white-bkgd.png')} alt="ntt-white-bkgd.png" />
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<Image src={import('./No_Touch_Tool_Door.jpg')} alt="No Touch Tool Door.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./No_Touch_Tool_Pinpad.jpg')} alt="No Touch Tool Pinpad.jpg" />
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### Step 7: Bonus: Speed up the process
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To enhance efficiency or reduce tool costs, consider these methods:
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1. Pre-heat plastic before injection using an oven rather than an extruder.
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2. Use multiple molds to allow some products to cool while injecting others.
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3. Load the injector with multiple doses, such as 1.4 oz (40 g), for successive injections.
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<Image src={import('./background.jpg')} alt="background.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./no-touch-tool-18391d343bd.jpg')} alt="no-touch-tool-18391d343bd.jpg" />
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