Hollowware offers the opportunity to manufacture lightweight jewelry with large volume. However, the production of steel molds is time consuming and expensive. A method, derived from technologies developed in the automotive industry, is investigated to produce a mold from high-strength plastic material. The plastic is cast around a model and hardened. Upper and lower press forms can be produced in this way. To increase the lifetime of these molds, the electro-deposition of a nickel layer was developed that significantly reduces abrasion during sheet metal forming. The process is suitable for the flexible and rapid production of several hundred pieces of hollowware.

Author(s): Dr. Wolfgang Boehm