Prototype & Short-Run Injection Molding

The lead-time required for injection molding tools is often the pacing item for the deployment of a new product. PADT can drastically shorten the lead-time for the creation of most injection molded parts by combining two leading-edge technologies: rapid prototyping for the creation of accurate and strong mold tooling, and short-run injection molding devices to produce actual parts from engineering plastics.

150 Ton Iinjection Machine.

Mold Base.

PADT’s well respected capabilities in the area of rapid prototyping play an important role in providing this powerful service. The rapid manufacturing team at PADT utilizes a variety of technologies that are maintained in-house to produce high quality, multi-part molds in a fraction of the time required to machine traditional molds from steel. The two leading technologies that PADT uses for prototype mold creation are:

Epoxy Tooling
A rapid prototyping master of the customer part is created with tolerances of ±0.005" for stereolithography masters, or ±0.002" for CNC machined masters. The molds themselves are made by pouring aluminum-filled epoxy over the masters, allowing for very rigid and accurate tooling with good cooling properties and durability. The epoxy tooling is then placed in a standard mold base to produce parts. Currently, parts up to 8" x 8" are supported.

Mold Once tooling is created using this technologies, PADT can produce actual parts out of a variety of materials using PADT’s in-house short run presses or for larger parts or greater quantities, at one of the PADT-approved local injection molding service providers. A variety of resins are supported in-house, including:

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene + PC Alloy (ABS-PC)
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Polyamide 66 w/30% Glass Reinforcement (NYLON)
Acetal Copolymer (POM)
Cyrstal Polystyrene (PS)
Polypropylene Copolymer (PP)
Custom blends and colors are available
More, per user needs

The advantages of these technologies are significant and include:

Faster Turnaround
The use of rapid prototyping technology also allows PADT to deliver first article parts within 10 working days for most parts.

High Quality
PADT’s exacting standards for part quality apply to this service as well. If needed, traditional methods can be applied to parts to ensure production quality and finish.

For more information on how this powerful service can be used for your application, please contact us for a consultation with one of our rapid manufacturing specialists.

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