Rapid tooling:

sometimes known as prototype tooling or bridge tooling, is a fast and cost-efficient way to carry out low-volume injection molding for a variety of types of plastic parts. Once the aluminum or steel mold has been created with the rapid tooling process, it can be utilized as part of a molding process to create multiple copies of a part. Rapid tooling is therefore used to create moldings for rapid prototyping needs in a shortened time frame, or to bridge the gap before high-volume production. 

Benefits of Rapid Tooling

Rapid production tooling gives a number of advantages over other methods of prototype production:

• Customization: The rapid tooling process still allows for advanced customization of the mold.
• Proof of concept/testing: Rapid prototyping facilitates practical real-world design testing and troubleshooting solutions. It also enables quick and precise production of new tooling that implements design changes and improvements.
• Fast processing: Prototype tooling provides quick results, so the transition between development and production is very short.
• Speed to market: Fast production and accurate tooling contribute to efficiency in production, ultimately providing a faster introduction to the market than other methods.
• Competitive pricing: The affordability of the rapid tooling process translates into a positive impact on the bottom line for our customers.

Aluminum Mold：

Aluminum mold tooling provides a cost-effective way to produce molded parts. Since they are easy to cut and Aluminum evenly dissipates heat, which provides dimensional stability in tooling. This significantly reduces deformation and produces less waste during the production process. aluminum molds can reduce tooling costs by 16–30% compared to other mold materials and reduce cycle times by up to 35%. This translates to a faster turnaround for our customers. 

It is important to note that aluminum is not as strong as steel, so it has a shorter life cycle and is less useful in high-volume processes.

Steel Mold：

Steel is a sturdy, solid, high-quality tooling material, though it is not suitable for all applications. Steel molds have a longer life cycle than aluminum and are therefore ideal for high-volume production.Steel can also be used to produce molds from engineering-grade plastics that are resistant to abrasion and corrosion. 

Though it features multiple benefits, steel is a more expensive tooling material than aluminum and requires more turnaround time to produce molds and prototypes.