Method for producing a molding element with removal of material from a porous region and mold obtained thereby

A process for manufacturing a molding element of a curing mold, the molding element being manufactured by a process of additive manufacture by powder layer deposition and selective melting of layers of powder, the molding element comprising a molding inner surface and an outer surface on an opposite side from the molding inner surface, and the molding element comprising at least one vent through which air can pass between the molding inner surface and the outer surface of the molding element, the manufacturing process comprising the following steps:

• (a) additively manufacturing the molding element and at least one porous region in the molding element, the porous region being manufactured so as to have a material density lower than a material density of the molding element outside the at least one porous region;
• and
• (b) using a material removal process to produce at least one vent in the porous region,
• wherein the at least one vent is produced in the porous region during step (b) using a laser beam or a laser beam contained in a water jet.