Designed for high volume parts processing
Rapid Tooling (RT) is a type of Injection Molding technology that can develop temporary molds for trial production or mass production in a short period of time at a low cost (simple molds can be aluminum molds or soft steel molds, while formal injection molds are steel molds). Because of its advantages of low development cost and short production time, it can extend the benefits of the R&D stage to the production stage. In addition, the mold modification cost is low and fast, which is particularly suitable for products that need to be mass-produced.
Advantages of Rapid Tooling:
⚡ High Precision: Capable of producing fine surface details, replicating the aesthetic quality of injection-molded parts.
⚡ Cost Efficiency: Minimizes traditional process costs and time, accelerating the product development cycle, making it an ideal choice for medium-batch production. (5000-500,000 pcs)
⚡ Versatility: Supports a wide range of materials, colors, and surface finishes, meeting customer customization requirements.
| Soft Tooling (vacuum casting) | Reaction Injection Molding (Low pressure injection) | Rapid Tooling / Injection Molding (aluminum mold or soft steel mold + mass production injection) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mold material | RTV Silicone (Soft Mold) | Silicone, FRP/GRP, Aluminum Powder Epoxy Resin | Aluminum alloy/mild steel P20, S50C, NAK80, etc. |
| Mold cost (relative) | $ | $$ | Aluminum Mould $$$ / Steel Mould $$$$$ |
| Mold delivery time (general situation) | 3 – 7 working days | 5 – 15 working days | 15 – 35 working days |
| Single mode life | 15 – 25 pieces | 50 (Silicone) – 3,000 pcs (Aluminum Powder Epoxy Resin) | Aluminum moulds 10,000 – 20,000 pieces Steel moulds 100,000 – 500,000 pieces |
| Cavity pressure/ Clamping force | Vacuum → 0.05 MPa / Almost no clamping | 0.3 – 1 MPa / 5 – 30 ton | 70 – 200 MPa / 75 – 800 tons |
| Common materials for finished products | * PU (ABS‑like, PC‑like, transparent PMMA‑like) * High heat resistant PU (120 °C) * Elastomer PU / Silicone (Shore A 30‑90) * Conductive, flame retardant, filling grade special resin | * Solid or micro-foamed PU / PUA * Glass fiber reinforced PU (RRIM / SRIM) * DCPD, Nylon-RIM (Caprolactam) * Reactive EP, Polyester | * ABS, PC, PC/ABS, PP, PE, POM, PBT * PA6 / PA66 (including GF, CF) * PMMA, ASA, TPU/TPE and other thermoplastics |
| Cycle time/piece | 30 – 60 min | 2 – 5 min | 20 – 60 s |
| Recommended ordering batch | 8 items↑ | 50 items↑ | 5,000 pieces↑ (MOQ 5,000 pcs) |
| Common size range | ≤ 0.5 m | ≤ 2 m Large enclosures possible | ≤ 1 m; potentially limited by the clamping force of the injection molding machine |
| Possible wall thickness | 1 – 6 mm; uniform thickness is the most stable | 2 – 20 mm, thick and thin can be mixed | 0.8 – 4 mm; thickness difference requires flow channel balance |
| Dimensional accuracy | ±0.20 mm /100 mm | ±0.15 mm /100 mm | ±0.05 mm /100 mm |
| Surface quality | 0.1 mm texture can be copied; spray painting is required | Available in Class-A paint or leather texture | The mold surface can directly achieve mass production texture or high gloss |
| Typical advantages | Low mold opening fee, fast delivery, high flexibility | Low mold cost, large size, mixed thickness, impact resistance | Lowest unit cost, best precision, most materials and colors |
| Common Applications | Appearance/functional prototypes, samples, small batch internal components | Automobile bumpers, medical/industrial large panels, structural foam parts | Mass production of consumer goods, precision gears, fasteners, and large-volume structural parts |
Scope of Services
We create realistic product models or prototypes based on customer-provided requirements and drawings. These models accurately replicate the intended design, allowing for detailed evaluation and testing before moving to mass production.
It can realize medium-to-high-scale batch production of the same parts, and the rapid mold life can produce about 10,000-20,000 pcs (MOQ 5,000 pcs), simple molds are 100,000-200,000 pcs, steel molds can produce up to 500,000 pcs
We provide just-in-time production based on customer needs, minimizing storage and inventory costs. This approach ensures efficient production while reducing overhead related to warehousing and excess stock.
Blog
The $2,000 Prototype vs. The $2 Part: A Deep Dive into the Economics of Creation and Replication
Blog
The Logic of the Line: A Manufacturer’s Guide to Why Injection Molding Has a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Knowledge Base
Please refer here for more basic knowledge / detail / FAQ about this technique.
Basic Processing Materials
Plastics
ABS is strong, durable, and offers good heat resistance and impact resistance, making it a preferred plastic for general parts and consumer products.
Common material choices:
◆ ABS Plain Color/White/Black
◆ ABS+PC Black
◆ ABS+PC White
PC (Polycarbonate) is highly durable, offering excellent impact resistance and good transparency.
Common material choices:
◆ PC Transparent/White/Black
PMMA (Acrylic) is renowned for its crystal-clear transparency and excellent weather resistance.
Common material choices:
◆ PMMA Transparent/White/Black
POM (Polyoxymethylene) is known for its high strength, low surface friction, and excellent dimensional stability, making it ideal for precision components in machinery.
Common material choices:
◆ POM White/Black
PA (Nylon) is widely used, strong, and wear-resistant, making it ideal for gears, bearings, and other high-wear surfaces.
Common material choices:
◆ PA6
◆ PA12
◆ PA66
PE (Polyethylene) is lightweight with excellent impact resistance, making it widely used in packaging containers.
Common material choices:
◆ PE Black/White
PEEK is renowned for its high-temperature resistance and strength, making it commonly used in semiconductor, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing.
Common material choices:
◆ PEEK Beige/Black
PP (Polypropylene) is tough and offers excellent chemical resistance, making it commonly used in parts and packaging that come into contact with chemical solvents.
Common material choices:
◆ PP Black/White
HDPE is known for its high strength-to-density ratio and impact resistance, making it commonly used in bottle manufacturing (including blow molding) and corrosion-resistant piping.
Common material choices:
◆ HDPE Black/White
CMF Options
We provide a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites.
We offer superior surface finishes that enhance part durability and aesthetics for applications requiring smooth or textured surfaces.
Applied Industries
IDMockup offers top-notch manufacturing capabilities, whether for rapid prototyping or custom production orders. Our self-owned factories and satellite factories are equipped to efficiently produce complex, high-quality parts.
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