Which process uses a flexible, reusable mold to produce complex plastic parts?

Study for the Tooling U-SME Additive Manufacturing (AM) Test with comprehensive quizzes, flashcards, and explanations. Enhance your understanding of AM technologies and get exam-ready now!

Silicone molding employs a flexible, reusable mold to create intricate plastic parts. This method is particularly effective for producing complex geometries and detailed designs, thanks to the flexibility of silicone, which allows it to easily capture fine details in the molding process. The mold can be used multiple times, making this an efficient option for both small production runs and prototyping.

In contrast, injection molding typically utilizes rigid molds, which can be expensive and time-consuming to create, especially for complex parts. Sand casting involves creating a mold from sand and is generally used for metals rather than plastics. Thermoforming heats plastic sheets and forms them over a mold, but again, it does not use a flexible mold in the same way that silicone molding does. Therefore, silicone molding is the best match for the described process of using a flexible and reusable mold to produce complex plastic parts.

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