Rapid Tooling / Prototyping

ProtoCAM offers a wide variety of rapid tooling technologies, including Prototype / Bridge tooling and Short Run / Production tooling. We offer in-house services along with use of our database of reliable rapid tooling providers. ProtoCAM produces injection mold rapid tooling to generate:

• Low quantity parts
• High Volume production

Lead times for rapid tooling prototypes range from 10 days to 6 weeks. ProtoCAM can supply complete rapid tooling along with injection-molded parts.

What method do we use?

Your requirements and your tooling expectations determine the method that we use to create your rapid tooling. ProtoCAM will select the fastest and most cost effective method that meets your requirements. Our rapid tooling and prototyping engineering team stays up-to-date on the latest technologies and advancements in the industry. We will stay on top of the rapid tooling technology, allowing you to do your job and use our expert services as needed.

What we offer

Prototype / Bridge Rapid Tooling for quantities from 50 to 2,000

Typical applications:

• Prove out part design
• Prove out material selection
• Prove out tooling concepts
• Limited product life span
• Supply parts while production tooling is being manufactured

Short Run / Production Rapid Tooling for quantities from 1,000 to 100,000

Typical applications:

• Finalized part design
• Defined material requirements
• Defined manufacturing quantities

Technical Overview of Rapid Tooling

ProtoCAM uses Aluminum tooling for our Rapid Tooling. Aluminum tooling is versatile approach to Rapid Tooling, it can be CNC machined, EDMed, textured and can create undercuts.

Materials used in Rapid Tooling

• ABS — Cycolac
• Polycarbonate — Lexan
• Polycarbonate/ABS — Cycoloy
• Nylon — Zytel
• Polypropylene
• Polyethylene

We can mold most all thermoplastic materials. Engineering grade resins can also be molded.

Rapid Tooling FAQs

Q: What lead times are available?

A: Tooling lead times range from 2-6wks

Q: Can part have undercuts?

A: Parts can be molded with undercuts. Cams, slides, and lifters can be incorporated into the tooling. For low part volumes, hand loaded inserts can be used to help keep costs down.

Q: Do I need draft?

A: As with any plastic part that is to be injection molded, draft is needed. The degree of draft is dependent on several factors, depth of draw, surface finish, textures. 1 degree draft is typically adequate.

Q: Can I have a texture applied?

A: Aluminum tooling can have textures applied. They can be bead blasted or sent out for specific textures.

Q: What type of CAD file will you need to quote tooling?

A: The file format needed for tooling quotes is STEP, IGES, Pro/Engineer, or SolidWorks

Contact ProtoCAM for Rapid Tooling / Prototyping

Please contact us to discuss your rapid tooling needs or to request a quotation.