How is Rapid Tooling Different from Rapid Prototype Services?
Prototyping allows you to see, analyze, and verify the aesthetics and function of your designed product in the real world. There are different processes to achieve that, with rapid tooling among the widely used services for its cost-effectiveness, speed, and reliability. Unlike other prototype manufacturing methods, it’s applied in low-volume injection molding to enable manufacturers to create parts and products quickly and affordably. Using this method, you can understand how various parts of your product work. Understanding rapid tooling Also known as prototype tooling or bridge tooling, it’s a crucial aspect of product development involving mold material, a stocked mold base, and hand-load inserts. The mold can be steel or aluminum, depending on your project’s requirements and the required number of pieces. The rapid tool produces parts fast and cheaply, making the process ideal for low-volume manufacturing, allowing manufacturers to identify and correct flaws in their design and make improvements to prevent issues on the final parts before they invest in end-use manufacturing. The process lets you utilize the same materials for end-use production, meaning you’re building production-grade products. How it differs from rapid prototype services When you’re new to rapid tooling, you might think it’s the same as rapid prototyping. However, there are differences between both processes. Rapid prototyping is a method or technology enabling the fast production of a physical part, which will be used as a prototype or for end-use. It may involve subtractive manufacturing (CNC machining) or additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies to accomplish the product. On the other hand, rapid tooling involves making a mold or tool to let manufacturers rapidly produce the parts they require that would serve as a tool. Most service providers use injection molding for flexibility, lower upfront investment, and speed. It also creates your prototypes and end-use parts with authentic production-grade materials and bridges between production and prototype. Find a service provider that offers both solutions.