This photo provided by Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. shows its freeform benches made with a 3D printer.
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co., a major South Korean builder, said Monday it had filed a patent for technology used to produce freeform molds through 3D printing.
In collaboration with local 3D printing specialist 3D Factory Co., Hyundai E&C launched the drive to develop 3D printing-based freeform molds in 2019 and thereafter has been engaged in the development of 3D printing for composite materials.
The process of 3D printing with composite materials has strength in that it can print not only low strength plastics but also high strength carbon fiber and glass fiber.
Thus far, it has been difficult to accurately realize irregular shapes for plywood and steel, raw materials used in the production of molds.
This technology, however, uses large-sized 3D printers for industrial use to ensure high-precision realization of such shapes with a maximum processing error of less than 0.001 millimeter.
In addition, the new 3D printing technology enables the production of a mold with a width of 2.5 meters, a length of 5 meters and a height of 1.5 meters in a single run, thereby ensuring a shorter production period and higher product quality.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
