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3D Print of a bathtub mold

In the timelapse below you can see the 3D printing of part of a mold for Villeroy & Boch bathtubs, created using cutting-edge Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). This short article explains how we did it and why it matters.

Two materials and integrated cooling channels

This two-part mold is designed for the precision casting of plastic bathtubs. To ensure those bathtubs come out of the mold with a smooth surface, the mold was finished with a high-gloss top layer. This was achieved by printing the outer top layer with a high-quality material onto a generally applicable layer surface. In this mold we also integrated heating channels directly into the mold, ensuring efficient production. This design innovation shows how WAAM is revolutionizing modern manufacturing, combining quality and functionality for optimized production. This demonstrates WAAM’s ability to handle both functional and aesthetic requirements. But it doesn’t stop at bathtubs! MaxQ 3D Print is flexible enough for a wide range of applications, thanks to the ability to monitor and control properties like hardness, polishability, and heat resistance.

At RAMLAB, we’re excited to bring these advancements to life, turning concepts into reality with unmatched precision and versatility. Stay tuned for more and discover the possibilities for yourself!