On December 19, 1996, Yakov Horenstein wrote:
> Anyone come across [Space Puzzle Molding]......?
I am aware of the concept through Ron Cisliek at Delta Tech. As stated
below, the Space Puzzle technology is licensed to Delta Tech here in the
United States. Feel free to contact Delta Tech directly with questions.
Bob Flint
Executive Vice President
Prototech Engineering, Inc.
Phone: (630) 920-0370
Fax: (630) 920-0377
Here is Ron's version of the process:
---------- Forwarded message --------
Bob,
Below are my comments in regards to the Space Puzzle inquiry:
Space Puzzle Molding is a patented technology from a company in Germany
called ProtoForm. The concept is quite simple but very powerful in
providing plastic parts in the EXACT material requirements. Using a
black box approach, the part is designed within that black box area.
The unit is an enhanced version of a hand mold which many people may
have used in the past. The dis-advantage of using a hand mold is that
the core and cavity must me made solid and inserts need to be contained.
Primarily tool steel is used to absorb injection pressure during
molding.
With Space Puzzles, aluminum or tool steel can be used to develop the
unit. The unit can be broken down into multiple components to allow
direct cnc machining or flexibility in controlling features in the part
like snaps, undercuts, or lifters. All the components which create this
black box are then installed into a frame which is mounted in an
injection molding press. The frame is water cooled and allows the unit
to stay together during molding pressure. Once the part is made, the
unit is removed and disassembled. Another advantage with Space Puzzle
is the ability to change gate locations on the part. Any area on the
black box is fair game to gating changes.
Space Puzzle has its' place in the rapid prototyping business. There
are times that a Space Puzzle mold can be produced quicker than modeling
a part 3D and making a Stereolithography part. However, if a 3D model
is in existance, nothing can beat Stereolithography.
Another thing to note is that this technology has also been licensed to
Delta Tech Mold, Inc. (847) 253-5440. Delta has used this technology in
conjunction with Stereolithography parts from Prototech Engineering over
75 different products. Delta is in the business of manufacturing
production molds and has found that when customers use this technology,
many of their production molds have less changes thus producing a higher
quality product. In one case the customer had said that their "Program"
was reduced to market by 9 months when Space Puzzles was used along with
other rapid prototyping processes.
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