Method of producing tools and dies

A method of producing a matching die set from a model to produce a series of parts, said method comprising the steps of:

• producing a positive and negative rigid mold from said model;
• forming a negative and positive die shell, said forming step including forming said negative die shell from a sheet of material in close conforming relationship with said positive rigid mold, said forming step further including forming said positive die shell from another sheet of material in close conforming relationship with said negative rigid mold;
• and
• applying a negative and positive reinforcing substrate to said negative and positive die shell respectively, said applying step including applying said negative substrate to said negative die shell on a side of said negative die shell opposite that of said positive rigid mold, said applying step being performed while said negative die shell is in close conforming relationship with said positive rigid mold, said applying step forming a negative die from said negative reinforcing substrate and said negative die shell, said applying step further including applying said positive reinforcing substrate to said positive die shell on a side of said positive die shell opposite that of said negative rigid mold, said applying step being performed while said positive die shell is in close conforming relationship with said negative rigid mold, said applying step forming a positive die from said positive reinforcing substrate and said positive die shell, said positive and negative die forming said matching die set.

A method of producing a negative die from a model to produce a series of parts, said method comprising the steps of:

• producing a positive rigid mold from said model without using a compensating layer of material;
• forming a negative die shell of said model from a sheet of material in close conforming relationship over said positive rigid mold;
• and
• applying a reinforcing substrate to said negative die shell on a side of said negative die shell opposite that of said positive rigid mold, said applying step being performed while said negative die shell is still in close conforming relationship with said positive rigid mold, said applying step thus forming said negative die from said reinforcing substrate and said negative die shell.

A method of producing a positive die from a model, said method comprising the steps of:

• producing a negative rigid mold from said model without using a compensating layer of material;
• forming a positive die shell of said model from a sheet of material in close conforming relationship over said negative rigid mold;
• and
• applying a reinforcing substrate to said positive die shell on a side of said positive die shell opposite that of said negative rigid mold, said applying step being performed while said positive die shell is still in close conforming relationship with said negative rigid mold, said applying step thus forming said positive die from said reinforcing substrate and said positive die shell.