Rapid injection molding, also known as rapid tooling or rapid prototyping, is a manufacturing process used to quickly produce low-volume plastic parts. It is a variation of traditional injection molding, which is a widely used manufacturing technique for producing high volumes of plastic parts.

 

The main advantage of rapid injection molding is its ability to accelerate the production cycle for low-volume parts. It involves using aluminum or soft steel molds instead of the more durable and expensive steel molds used in traditional injection molding. These molds can be manufactured much faster and at a lower cost, making rapid injection molding a viable option for prototyping and small production runs.

 

The process typically involves the following steps:

Design and prototyping: The part design is created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. A prototype of the part may be created using techniques such as 3D printing to verify the design before proceeding to production.

 

Mold production: The mold is fabricated using aluminum or soft steel, which can be machined or 3D printed. This step is usually faster and more cost-effective compared to the production of steel molds used in traditional injection molding.

 

Injection molding: The mold is mounted in an injection molding machine, and molten plastic material is injected under high pressure into the mold cavity. The material quickly solidifies and takes the shape of the mold.

 

Part removal and finishing: Once the plastic has solidified, the mold is opened, and the part is removed. Any excess material or imperfections are trimmed or smoothed to achieve the desired final appearance.

 

Rapid injection molding services offer several advantages compared to traditional injection molding methods.