Fiber molding tool flow structures

Abstract

In an example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fiber molding tool is described. The fiber molding tool includes a first surface that includes a first plurality of perforations and a second surface that includes a second plurality of perforations. A distribution of the second plurality of perforations on the second surface is independent of a distribution of the first plurality of perforations on the first surface. The fiber molding tool also includes a flow structure through a thickness of the tool such that a fluid is to flow from the first plurality of perforations, through the flow structure to the second plurality of perforations.

1 . A fiber molding tool, comprising:
 a first surface comprising a first plurality of perforations;   a second surface comprising a second plurality of perforations, wherein a distribution of the second plurality of perforations on the second surface is independent of a distribution of the first plurality of perforations on the first surface; and   a flow structure through a thickness of the fiber molding tool such that a fluid is to flow from the first plurality of perforations, through the flow structure to the second plurality of perforations.   
     
     
         2 . The molded fiber tool of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber molding tool is selected from the group consisting of:
 a form tool for a molded fiber die;   a screen for the molded fiber die; and   a transfer tool for the molded fiber die.   
     
     
         3 . The fiber molding tool of  claim 1 , wherein a number, placement, shape, and size of the first plurality of perforations is different than a number, placement, shape, and size of the second plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber molding tool of  claim 3 , wherein the flow structure comprises branched pathways. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber molding tool of  claim 4 , wherein:
 multiple perforations of the first plurality converge to a single perforation of the second plurality;   multiple perforations of the second plurality converge to a single perforation of the first plurality; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         6 . The fiber molding tool of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flow structure comprises a lattice infill; and   sizes and openings in the lattice infill correspond to the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations.   
     
     
         7 . A method, comprising:
 accessing, with a processor, a digital model of a fiber molding tool to be fabricated;   determining, with the processor, a distribution of a first plurality of perforations on a first surface of the fiber molding tool;   determining, with the processor, a distribution of a second plurality of perforations on a second surface of the fiber molding tool, wherein the distribution of the second plurality of perforations on the second surface is independent of the distribution of the first plurality of perforations on the first surface;   defining, with the processor, a flow structure extending between the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations through a thickness of the fiber molding tool such that a fluid is to flow from the first plurality of perforations through the flow structure to the second plurality of perforations; and   modifying, with the processor, the digital model of the fiber molding tool to include the first plurality of perforations, the second plurality of perforations and the flow structure.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining, with the processor, the placement and size of the second plurality of perforations comprises extending a lattice structure from the first plurality of perforations towards the second surface, wherein passages in the lattice structure are sized and positioned to align with the first plurality of perforations; and   modifying, with the processor, the digital model to include the lattice structure.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein defining a flow structure comprises intersecting a lattice volume with the digital model of the fiber molding tool. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein defining, with the processor, a flow structure extending between the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations comprises defining, for each perforation of the first plurality of perforations, a shortest path to the second surface of the fiber molding tool. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein defining, with the processor, a flow structure extending between the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations comprises defining branched pathways between the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 generating, with the processor, an additive manufacturing file for the fiber molding tool with the flow structure merged with the digital model of the fiber molding tool; and   additively manufacturing the fiber molding tool to be fabricated with the exterior surface protrusions and flow structure.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the distribution of the first plurality of protrusions and the second plurality of protrusions are determined based on elements selected from the group consisting of:
 a thickness of the fiber molding tool;   a material of the fiber molding tool;   a radius of curvature of the fiber molding tool;   a desired thickness for the fiber molded product; and   a material of the fiber molded product to be formed.   
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processor, the machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 access a digital model of a fiber molding tool to be fabricated;   determine a distribution of a first plurality of perforations on a first surface of the fiber molding tool;   determine a distribution of a second plurality of perforations on a second surface of the fiber molding tool, wherein a distribution of the second plurality of perforations on the second surface are independent of a distribution of the first plurality of perforations on the first surface;   define a flow structure extending from the first plurality of perforations on the first surface through a thickness of the fiber molding tool such that a fluid is to flow from the first plurality of perforations through the flow structure to the second plurality of perforations;   modify the digital model of the fiber molding tool to include the first plurality of perforations, the second plurality of perforations, and the flow structure; and   generate an additive manufacturing file for the fiber molding tool with the flow structure merged with the digital model of the fiber molding tool.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein:
 lattice ribs are thicker and passageways are wider towards the second surface of the fiber molding tool;   the lattice flow structure is a gyroidal lattice; or   combinations thereof.