Prototype Moulds
Prototype Moulds
Every new product has to go through a testing phase before it is approved for sales. Omitting this stage often leads to costly withdrawal of the product from the market. 3D printed prototypes, although good for validating aesthetical, visual or functional features of a part, are not able to reflect e.g. its real mechanical properties. In this situation the optimal solution is a prototype mould, which allows for production of injected parts using injection parameters recommended by raw materials suppliers. This remark is not without a purpose. 3D printed moulds, made of resins or plastic materials mixed with various fillers cannot be used for production with proper injection parameters. The limitations include types of available materials (flow temperature), injection parameters (injection & hold pressure), thermal profile of the process (of both a part and a mould). It doesn’t mean 3D printed moulds are of no use, however the materials they are made of make their applications rather limited.
A prototype mould technology is chosen to minimise the mould manufacture costs, yet it meets the clients’ requirements in terms of the quantity of parts to be produced. In reality it means after the required batch of parts is made, the mould in not fit for further production. It is also important to remember prototype moulds should be relatively inexpensive, therefore we consciously resign from certain part features. These are usually higher tolerances, surface quality or shrinkage deformations, but these aspects are always considered with regard to individual projects. Our focus is quick realisation time, mechanical properties of manufactured parts and mould price. QUOTATION
PROTOTYPE MOULD HIGHLIGHTS
manufacture of limited (max 100/150 pcs) number of injected parts to verify some of their functional of material properties |
quick realisation time |
mould manufacture technology and mould lifespan are adjusted to the number of ordered parts |
certain part features, such as high tolerances or surface finish are less relevant |
For prototype Moulds we offer production of parts in the following choice of plastic materials:
List of available materials |
|
Material type | Manufacturer’s Brand Name |
PC | Lexan 143R |
PA6 | Akulon 6D |
PA6 GF30% | Altech C2030 |
PET | Ramapet N1S |
PA66 GF30% | Technyl A218 V30 |
PP homo | PP Moplen HP 456J |
PP kopo | Tippen 499K |
POM | Schulaform 9D |
POM | Derlin 100 P NC101 |
ABS | Terluran GP 35 |
ABS | HI10 |
ABS | Magnum 8391 |
PE HD | PE HA Hostalen GC 7260 Catalogue Nr. PE HD 01 |
PE HD | Malene-Fabs 23D-22 |
PS w/u | Syntos 552N |