*2.2.1 Direct AIM*

*Design and Manufacturing*

*2.1.3 Spray metal tooling*

tion molding.

Metal spray molds had been used effectively in low-pressure procedures including RIM, vacuum forming, and rotational molding. Currently, the improvements in spray metals and spraying methods give rise to its use in injec-

The order of steps is like the one applied to manufacture epoxy molds, with the exception that the pattern is sprayed first with metal and then supported by epoxy resin filled with metal. The process of spraying with, for example, an electrical compressed air gun gets applied until the required shell thickness is met (0.5 mm + − mm is reported). In this technique, the material consisting of pattern must have increased strength and durability to withstand the thermal impact inherent: in this regard, the use of ABS FDM masters, polycarbonate SLS masters, and machinable wax gave positive results some of the indirect methods which uses AM, and their advantages and disadvantages are shown in **Table 2**. In addition to them,

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**Figure 2.**

**Table 2.**

*Advantages and disadvantages of indirect methods, which use AM.*

*Spray metal tooling [7].*

Rather than making a master stereolithography pattern around which a material is cast, it also is possible to build the cavity directly on the stereolithography machine. This method has been described as Direct AIM by 3D Systems (Valencia, CA). (AIM stands for ACES Injection Molding. ACES stands for "accurate clear epoxy solid," which is a stereolithography construction style.) Even though they are not as strong or difficult as standard tools, various thermoplastics can get injected into those cavities so that elements to get used could get manufactured. Even though only less abrasive and lower melting polymers can get molded, studies are going on in order to increase its applicability [6].
