Rapid Tooling Services
Optimize your production with our rapid tooling solutions, delivering precise, high-quality parts swiftly and cost-effectively.
Rapid tooling is a specialized manufacturing solution that accelerates the production of plastic injection molds—delivering functional prototypes or low-to-medium volume production parts in days or weeks, rather than months.
Why Choose Rapid Tooling?
By optimizing design, materials, and fabrication processes, rapid tooling bridges the gap between prototyping and full-scale production, reducing both lead times and costs while maintaining quality.
Key Benefits:
✅ Faster Time-to-Market – Bypass traditional tooling delays and begin production sooner.
✅ Cost-Effective for Low/Medium Volumes – Ideal for bridge tooling, pilot runs, or limited batches.
✅ Design Flexibility – Test and refine molds quickly before committing to expensive production tooling.
✅ Reduced Risk – Validate part design, material, and functionality early in the process.
Standard Tooling vs. Rapid Tooling for Injection Molding
1. Production Timeline
Standard Tooling: 8-16 weeks lead time
Rapid Tooling: 1-4 weeks lead time
Example: Rapid tooling can produce first articles while standard tools are still being machined
2. Tool Construction
Standard: Hardened steel molds
Rapid: Aluminum, mild steel, or 3D printed molds
Key Difference: Standard tools withstand 100× more cycles
3. Cost Structure
Standard Tooling: initial Cost $10,000-$100,000+
Per-Part Cost $0.10-$2
Rapid Tooling: initial Cost $1,000-$20,000
Per-Part Cost $2-$20
*Break-even: Typically 5,000-10,000 parts*
Strategic Approach:
*Prototyping: 3D printed molds (50-100 parts)
*Pilot Runs: Aluminum tools (1,000-5,000 parts)
*Full Production: Hardened steel molds (10,000+ parts)
