H&B Electronic GmbH&Co.KG

About us

H&B Electronic - at first glance, one would think, this name does not necessarily conceal a service provider for metal 3D printing and simulation around injection molds and processes. In fact, the company is also mainly at home in the development and production of hybrid components made of metal and plastic, such as connectors, electrical contacting systems or electrical and electronic assemblies and medical devices. But it is precisely the high demands on the quality and cost-effectiveness of plastic components and injection molds in this line of work that prompted the company to move into metal 3D printing.

Printed mold inserts made of 1.2343

As a developer and manufacturer of highly complex plastic-metal hybrid components, H&B Electronic has many years of experience in the design of injection molds with near-contour temperature control channels and their use in series production. However, the material 1.2709 available on the market did not always satisfy the requirements of the Swabian medium-sized company. H&B therefore deliberately relies in its own additive manufacturing on the hot-work tool steel 1.2343, which is popular with many tool and mold makers. The advantages of this material: wear resistance, thermal conductivity, hot hardness, temperature resistance and polishability.

Passing on advantages to tool and die makers

With the decision to offer 3D printing as a service to the market, H&B enables tool and die makers to realize near-contour tempering with a familiar material and benefit from the advantages of this steel. In addition to the increase in quality of the plastic components, it is above all the reduction in cycle time that has a positive effect on costs and the CO2 balance and helps to position the German and European mold and tool making industry positively in global competition.

Injection molding process simulation as a service

However, simply printing is often not enough; after all, it is also necessary to prove that the near-contour temperature control produces the desired effect! Thus, our own simulation team provides support in the design of near-contour temperature control channels and the calculation of the entire mold thermodynamics.
Logical consequence: H&B also offers injection molding process simulation as an engineering service on the market - with or without 3D printing, but always paired with a good portion of experience from development/design, mold making and injection molding.