Lastform, a three year EPSRC (IMI) programme, has investigated metallic lam
inating techniques to produce large-scale production capable tooling. This
work is intended as an overview of the research and development performed a
t the University of Warwick's Warwick manufacturing Group. The programme wa
s a collaboration between seven industrial partners and three universities
with each university having a discreet area of research. The focus at Warwi
ck was to establish robust methods of joining metal sheets to form tools fo
r different production processes. Bonding mediums, test parts for process e
valuation, sample tools and production tools are described. The advantages
of metal laminating for different processes are evaluated. Results include
reduced lead-time and cost savings and enhanced processing capability by th
e use of conformable heating or cooling channels.