Benefits of Rapid modling

1 Fast processing

Prototype modling provides quick results, so the transition between development and production is very short.

2 Economy of Economy of

Economy of Scale In most cases, rapid tooling is the most cost-effective option for an order of 100–2,000 units: too many for 3D printing, CNC machining, or urethane casting, but not enough to justify mass production tooling

3 Material Options

Material Options Whatever material is available for injection molding can also be molded by rapid tooling. A wide range of material options is, therefore, one of the core benefits of the process.

4 Customizable Finishing

With rapid injection molding, we can tailor molds to produce different finishes including smooth, glossy, and textured. Further finishing procedures such as painting, chroming, and silk-screening can then be applied to the moldings.

5 Proof of concept/testing

Rapid prototyping facilitates practical real-world design testing and troubleshooting solutions. It also enables quick and precise production of new tooling that implements design changes and improvements.

6 Speed to market

Fast production and accurate tooling contribute to efficiency in production, ultimately providing a faster introduction to the market than other methods.

7 Competitive pricing

The affordability of the rapid tooling process translates into a positive impact on the bottom line for our customers.

Rapid modling, sometimes known as prototype tooling or bridge tooling, is a fast and cost-efficient way to carry out low-volume injection molding for a variety of types of plastic parts. Once the aluminum or steel mold has been created with the rapid modling process, it can be utilized as part of a molding process to create multiple copies of a part. Rapid modling is therefore used to create moldings for rapid prototyping needs in a shortened timeframe, or to bridge the gap before high-volume production.

The rapid modling process involves the creation of a mold using aluminum or soft steel, a stocked mold base, and hand-load inserts. Rapid modling is one of the best methods for fulfilling small batch orders meant for use in marketing samples, product evaluations, and process design.

Traditional modling is often prohibitively expensive for small projects. Our custom rapid modling service is a cost-effective, low-volume alternative in situations where large volumes of the part won’t be needed in the future. The rapid production tooling process is commonly used in industrial settings for prototyping solutions or for diagnosing design issues, providing an easy introduction to mold making.

Aluminum Mold Tooling

An ideal choice for prototyping, aluminum mold tooling provides a cost-effective way to produce molded parts. Since they are easy to cut, aluminum molds can reduce tooling costs by 15–25% compared to other mold materials and reduce cycle times by up to 40%. This translates to a faster turnaround for our customers.

Aluminum evenly dissipates heat, which provides dimensional stability in tooling. This significantly reduces deformation and produces less waste during the production process. It is important to note that aluminum is not as strong as steel, so it has a shorter life cycle and is less useful in high-volume processes.

Steel Mold Tooling

Steel is a sturdy, solid, high-quality tooling material, though it is not suitable for all applications. Steel molds have a longer life cycle than aluminum and are therefore ideal for high-volume production. Steel can also be used to produce molds from engineering-grade plastics that are resistant to abrasion and corrosion.

Though it features multiple benefits, steel is a more expensive tooling material than aluminum and requires more turnaround time to produce molds and prototypes.