Steps in the Rapid Prototyping Process

Injection Molding Process

Injection Molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting molten resin/plastic material into a mold. This process can be scaled for prototype or production volumes anywhere from 100 parts to 10s of millions of parts. The mold itself is the differentiating factor in prototype injection molding and production injection molding; the injection mold tool (or tooling) is built with an understanding of the estimated annual volume of parts to be produced. High-volume production tools are built from steel and have a single cavity tool or have multiple cavities (4, 16, 64, 128 cavity tools are common).

A prototype injection mold tool — sometimes called bridge tooling or prototype tooling — is often made from aluminum. In comparison to steel, aluminum tooling is easier to cut and it cools at a much more rapid rate, which can help reduce cycle times. Learn more about our prototype injection molding.

3D Printing

3D Printing is a very common form of prototyping. It is a fast and affordable way to produce 1 part, or a very short run of parts. There are numerous different 3D printing technologies that offer different strengths — some that are more geared for appearance/resolution where others have a lesser appearance but higher strength and durability. 3D Printing is a great way to prove out a concept prior to investing in something like an injection mold tool. Learn more about our rapid 3D printing.

Urethane & Silicone Casting

This is a manufacturing method geared for short runs of prototype or production parts. Everyone has a different quantity of which they consider prototype or production, but in general, cast urethane parts are done in quantities fewer than 100 pieces. Urethane and silicone casting is a manufacturing process that typically utilizes silicone, or RTV molds to create plastic, rubber or silicone parts. These molds generally last for 25 parts before needing to be replaced; the urethane/silicone that is injected into them to create the cast part undergoes a chemical reaction that generates a lot of heat which stresses and dries out the silicone mold. Stress to the mold is also caused by the demolding process (removal of the cast part), which is done by hand utilizing many tools such as compressed air, pry bars, plyers, and others. Learn more about our urethane casting.

CNC Machining

CNC machining can be done in prototype or production volumes. Ston-Engineering offers CNC milling, turning and EDM machining to produce accurate parts that closely simulate final-product appearance. With advanced software to guide our CNC machines, our equipment can cut a wide variety of substrates to create flawless end results. Learn more about our CNC prototyping service.

Melt Temperature Measurement System

For Schmit customers who know how to create their own prototypes with injection molding, we now offer a melt temperature measurement kit, which provides an important key to the prototyping process. Having the ability to measure melt temperatures opens up the opportunity for customers to accurately and precisely measure temperatures when working with injecting molding. Create prototypes quickly while eliminating human error with your own Melt Temperature Measurement System Kit.