The manufacturing process of rapid injection mould tools is different to conventionally manufacturing injection mould tools In this blog we will discuss the key differences between the two methods.
The global injection moulding market has been valued at USD 285.5 billion in 2024. Its popularity continues to grow, with a CAGR of 5.1% and the market predicted to reach USD 431.6 billion by 2033[1]. This is being driven in part by increasing demand for components for the medical, automotive and building and construction sectors.
What is injection mould tooling?
Injection mould tooling is the creation of moulds that are used in the plastic injection moulding manufacturing process. Sometimes referred to as mould tooling or making, it is ideal for the production of large volumes of plastic parts and key in plastic component production. This is because the moulds define the shape and features of the final part.
Injection mould tooling has a series of stages. The first is the design phase, where a detailed CAD model of the product is produced. This details the mould’s geometry, dimensions, surface finish and any inserts or pins. Steel or aluminium is then used as the base of the mould. Mounting points for the mould and channels for cooling water are some of the necessary features of the base. Although the mould’s cavity and core are the main components responsible for shaping the plastic part, the design of the mould’s network of channels for both molten plastic and cooling water is key to its final quality.
What is rapid tooling in plastic injection moulding?
As the name implies, plastic injection rapid tooling is a process used to quickly produce moulds for the injection moulding of plastic parts. It does this using processes such as 3D printing, CNC machining and soft tooling. Faster than traditional tooling for creating plastic injection moulds, it aims to maintain precision and quality, whilst reducing lead times, costs and complexity. As such, it is commonly used in industries that place a priority on quick production turnaround times and cost efficiencies.
What is the difference between conventional and rapid turnaround tooling?
There are a range of differences between more conventional plastic injection moulding processes and rapid alternatives. These include:
Speed – Plastic injection rapid tooling services can create a mould design for a tool in a matter of weeks, if not days. This is thanks largely to the use of additive manufacturing and CNC machining processes to reduce the timings of mould production. Whereas the design time for a traditional injection mould can take weeks to months, due to the need for detailed design, machining and finishing processes.
Manufacturing cost – The rapid plastic injection moulding tooling cost is relatively small for low to medium volume production runs and prototyping. This is due to the use of processes such as 3D printing and CNC machining. Conventional injection mould tooling processes however are ideal for higher volumes, but the extensive machining required to make the moulds leads to higher manufacturing costs.
Life and durability – Conventional injection moulding tooling tends to use hardened steel to create the moulds. This makes them longer lasting than the 3D printed plastics or soft metals used for rapid injection mould tooling fabrication. With this in mind, conventional injection mould tooling is more suitable for high volume production and rapid tooling for prototypes or short-term usage.
Prototyping – Rapid injection mould tooling is particularly well suited to prototyping applications, compared to conventional solutions. This is because designers and engineers can quickly iterate designs and test functional prototypes before finalising full-scale production. This speed of design changes is not possible using conventional injection mould tooling.
In conclusion, both rapid and conventional injection mould tooling deliver a range of benefits. However, the decision of which to use will depend on what the mould will be needed for. If design flexibility and speed are of the essence, then rapid injection mould tooling is head and shoulders above more conventional methods.
If you are looking for a plastic injection moulding partner that has the know-how and expertise in producing technically complex moulds, has the latest equipment, an inhouse toolroom and the experience of designing and producing tools using both conventional and rapid tooling techniques, give us a call.
OGM can produce your parts in as little as two weeks following approval of the design process and receipt of a PO. With the combination of our skilled team and the latest state-of-the-art equipment we can achieve tolerances of +/- 0.05mm and are capable of producing up to 100,000 shots. In addition, we have an in-house cleanroom for manufacture and assembly of components for medical and electronic devices and can undergo full IQ, OQ, PQ validation.
Curious about how we can help – contact our team for more information.