Laser generated cooling channel in a forming tool

Abstract

In this work a cooling channel was additively manufactured by direct laser deposition and was integrated in the drawing die of a deep drawing tool. The drawing die has a circular form and it is applicable to form cups with a diameter of 30 mm. The cross section of the cooling channel has a pentagonal form. Two ports were drilled into the drawing die to realize the inlet and outlet of the cooling water. The function of the cooling effect was tested and measured by thermal imaging.