Rapid Prototyping Molds

Prototype Molds

Not sure how best to meet specifications of the final product? Prototype molds give you a way to facilitate an efficient and cost-effective evaluation before committing to a mold for final production.

Prototype plastic injection molds produce real injection molded parts for functional testing. They can also serve as bridge tooling to fill the manufacturing gap for production tooling. But prototype molds are typically different from production molds because they are normally not meant to be used in the long term. 

A manufacturing industry trend is to use 3D printed parts for prototypes, test, then skip right to production molds. This method can produce less than optimal results because of the limitations of 3D printing, such as the limited plastic materials available compared to injection molding. Injection molded plastic prototypes, on the other hand, are in many cases absolutely necessary for proper testing of plastic material characteristics.

The Purpose of Prototype Molds

As mentioned, prototype molds serve a different function than a final product, including the following purposes:

• An inexpensive pre-production mold that helps with testing and troubleshooting a mold before final production

• Shorter lead times to have a version that can be tested, usually two to four weeks

Prototype molds are not meant to be final versions, and that means a phased approach to building your mold. Unlike the final injection mold, the prototype mold is made from less expensive materials, such as non-hardened steel, aluminum, or P20. Because these are far less sturdy than a final injection mold, you will not be able to use them for your final product.

Benefits of Prototype Molds

• Fast Mold and Part Quote (within 24 hours)

• Low Cost, Quick Build and Good Quality

• Trouble-Free Part Modifications

• No Size Limitations

• Any Commercially Available Material and Surface Finish

If you aren’t sure how best to meet specifications or aren’t sure what you want the final product to look like, prototypes give you a way to facilitate an efficient and cost-effective evaluation before committing to a mold.

Many companies aren’t sure how to move forward with a new product in the early stages. This is when a pre-production injection mold can help you determine what works and when you need to go back to the drawing board. Since you are using lower-cost materials and a quicker process, you won’t feel pressured to settle for something that doesn’t meet your needs.