Electroformed mold

Electroformed molds are produced by a process derived from standard electroplating. The metal (usually nickel) is first dissolved and then reassembled electrolytically around a model. By this means a very dense non-porous metal shell is formed, exactly conforming to the three-dimensional contours of the model and, at the same time, able to reproduce fine surface detail, such as textures or engraving. After forming, the shell (which may be up to 10 mm thick) is removed from the model and engineered into a finished mold by various methods, according to the molding process in which it will be used. 

Electroformed molds are subject to interaction of temperature and pressure they can be used in the following cases ... 

For RPs, electroformed molds are mainly useful for autoclave molding and for closed matched die molding (cold press, low-pressure hot press, resin injection, resin transfer, low-pressure phenolic molding, and resin casting) as well as for reinforced reaction injection molding (RKIM). Prototyping can also use this technique for mold-making. 

Tools can be produced by electroforming for plastic injection molding. Electroformed molds have been used successfully for injection molding of thermoplastics, for the die casting of zinc, for the pressing of ceramic materials, and for the pressing of glass. 

Electroformed mold n. A mold made by electroplating a model, which is subsequently removed from the metal deposit. The deposit is sometimes reinforced with cast or sprayed metal backings to increase its strength and rigidity. Such molds are used in slush casting of vinyl plastisols and other forming processes done at low pressures. 

Electroformed Molds. A mold made by electroplating metal on the reverse pattern on the cavity. 

S.-D. Moon, N. Eee, S. Kang, Eabrication of a microlens array using micro-compression molding with an electroformed mold insert. J. Micromech. Microeng. 13(1), 98 (2003)... 

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