Cooling channels

Cooling channels are critical components in tool manufacturing and machine technology whose main task is to efficiently dissipate heat and ensure uniform cooling. Through additive manufacturing, cooling channels can be optimized in a way that is often not possible with conventional production methods. This opens up new ways to improve the performance and efficiency of systems and tools.

Additive manufacturing, especially 3D printing, offers the possibility to realize complex and adaptive geometries that ensure that cooling channels are guided directly and efficiently along the heat sources. In contrast to conventionally manufactured channels, which are usually linear and limited in shape, printed cooling channels allow for varied and complex structures that adapt to tight spatial constraints and maximize the surface area. This leads to optimized heat dissipation, whereby the cooling is focused on critical areas and distributed evenly.

A key advantage of additive manufacturing in the creation of cooling channels is the ability to design conformal cooling structures that are ergonomically and spatially optimized and are often integrated into the parts. These conformal cooling channels provide more efficient cooling performance, reduce cycle times and increase tool life. They can also increase energy efficiency by reducing overall cooling requirements.

In practice, this becomes particularly valuable in applications such as injection molds, machine cooling systems or components in the automotive industry. The ability to design cooling channels precisely according to thermal requirements and geometries leads to significant increases in the performance of finished components while minimizing material savings and production time.

In addition to improved thermal performance, cooling channels produced via additive manufacturing also offer benefits in terms of weight reduction and reduced material requirements, supporting the sustainable and cost-efficient nature of the overall process. These benefits make additive manufacturing the preferred choice when it comes to producing advanced, customized cooling channels that challenge traditional manufacturing methods and set new standards in various industry sectors.