Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.
Industry News
Protomold injection molding is a streamlined manufacturing process designed for rapid prototyping and low-volume production (typically 10-10,000 parts). It uses injection molding technology—where molten plastic is injected into a mold, cooled, and ejected—to produce precise, functional parts quickly, often within 3-15 days. Unlike traditional injection molding, which relies on expensive, durable steel molds for high-volume production, protomold injection molding employs softer, cost-effective aluminum molds to accelerate tooling and reduce costs.
Key Characteristics
Rapid Tooling:
Description: Molds are made from aluminum or other soft materials using CNC machining, taking 1-5 days instead of weeks for steel molds.
Benefit: Speeds up the prototyping process, enabling faster design iterations.
Fast Turnaround:
Description: Parts are produced and delivered in as little as 3-7 days, depending on complexity and volume.
Benefit: Ideal for tight development schedules in industries like medical, automotive, or consumer electronics.
Production-Grade Materials:
Description: Supports a wide range of thermoplastics (e.g., ABS, PC, PP, Nylon) and some elastomers, mimicking final product properties.
Benefit: Enables functional testing, fit validation, and market trials with parts that closely resemble production components.
Cost-Effective for Low Volumes:
Description: Aluminum molds cost 50-70% less than steel molds, making small batches (10-500 units) economical.
Benefit: Reduces financial risk for startups, R&D, or pre-production runs.
High Precision:
Description: Achieves tolerances as tight as ±0.01-0.05mm, with options for post-processing like polishing, texturing, or painting.
Benefit: Produces parts suitable for functional and aesthetic validation.