Project Abstract

Abstract
The construction of a simple metallic mold is a crucial process in various industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and prototyping. This research project aimed to design and create a cost-effective metallic mold that can be used for producing small-scale components. The project involved the selection of appropriate materials, the development of the mold design, and the fabrication process. The first step in the project was to choose a suitable metallic material for the mold construction. Aluminum was selected due to its excellent thermal conductivity, lightweight properties, and ease of machining. The next phase involved designing the mold using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The design included the dimensions and specifications required for the desired component. Once the design was finalized, the fabrication process began by cutting the aluminum material to the desired shape using precision machinery. The next step involved machining the mold cavity according to the CAD design. This process required high precision and accuracy to ensure the final mold would produce components with the desired specifications. After machining the mold cavity, the next step was to create the mold inserts and any additional features required for the specific component. This involved additional machining and assembly processes to ensure all components fit together seamlessly. The final stage of the fabrication process was to conduct quality checks and inspections to verify the accuracy and functionality of the metallic mold. The completed metallic mold was then tested by injecting molten material into the cavity to produce sample components. The testing phase aimed to evaluate the mold's performance, accuracy, and durability under production conditions. The results of the testing phase were analyzed to identify any potential improvements or modifications needed for the metallic mold. Overall, the construction of a simple metallic mold involved various stages, including material selection, design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and evaluation. The project highlighted the importance of precision, accuracy, and attention to detail in creating an effective metallic mold for small-scale component production. The cost-effective nature of the mold construction process makes it a viable option for industries looking to produce components in-house without significant investment in expensive machinery or tooling.

Project Overview

1.0         INTRODUCTION

The equipment mostly used in the industries and manufacturing establishments requires the production of definite shape, pattern, different design, embossments and others, are usually moulds. The ability of moulds to withstand pressure, distortion and corrosion determines the application.

A mould has been defined as a pattern constructed for the production of the same type of the prototype. The constructional material differs from one operation to another. The diversity of the application gives the need for the designing and development of moulds of different materials, compositions, shapes, textures and crossing resistances.

Mould is as old as man, the early days of the blacksmiths were able to construct, design materials of different shapes and sizes using mould.

1.1                   USES OF MOULDS IN PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES.

–           The metallurgical Industries use mould pattern for different casting operations and diverse application for the productions of metal blocks, building blocks, e.t.c like in the production of both industrial and household plastic wares.

–           In the manufacturing set –up, the different types of accessories that have different profiles are usually produced using moulds.

–          In the mechanical engineering set-up, moulds are usually used for the production of different machines parts with intricate shapes that cannot be easily manufactured on a lathe.

–          The food industry applies for moulds processes for their production. Production of bread is usually a mould patterns process. The still applies to the other foods items like Biscuits, sausage rolls, cakes and others.

–          In pharmaceutical companies where tablet drugs of different sizes and textures are made, ninety – percent (90%) of the tablet drugs are produced in moulds.

–          The electrical components – manufacturing industries utilize moulds for the different production of accessories and fittings used in the household and commercial lighting activities

–          In the candle producing and making industries mould application is for the processes.

This has resulted to the increase of activities in that section. In smaller mould production application, the building industry makes use of mould system in the production of blocks, bricks and others.

Conclusively, the costs of applications of moulds. In the solution of society problems are inexhaustible and very relevant for economic development of any nation.

1.2                         IMPORTANCE OF MOULD MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO THE NATION.

The setting up of mould manufacturing industry in the nation has a lot of implications. Thus practice of importing most machine parts from the overseas have really rendered the action of setting up moulds making industries useless. The economic implications of mould industries are discussed below.

–          The high foreign exchange cost in the importation of moulds and different machines parts could be saved for the nation.

–          The mould industry will assit in producing high texture and corrosive resistant mould that would serve effectively rather than importing moulds that are not manufactured in consideration to the tropical kind of Nigeria environment.

–          In mould industries, the different machines that are usually abandoned due to lack of spare pars are easily moulded and constructed since the material construction is known.

–          The setting-up of mould factory would assist greatly in harnessing the abundant metallic ore deposition in different parts of our country.

–          The mould industry would definitely lead to industrial and commercial growth, since the diverse operations that are usually projected by mould formation would begin to thrive.

–          Conclusively, setting up of mould producing industries will have a positive effect on all facets of projects associated with lack of spare parts and accessories.