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Prototype Molds vs. Production Molds: A Comparison of Two Types of Tooling

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HLH Prototypes Co LTD

Prototyping is a crucial aspect of product development because it allows product designers and engineers to determine the performance and function of their designs in the real world. These professionals often turn to injection molding companies in China to quickly and cost-effectively produce high-quality prototypes and small batches of production parts.

Injection molding is capable of producing anywhere from 1 to over 100,000 production-grade parts using actual production resins. This versatility makes it perfect for both prototyping and low-volume manufacturing of end-use products. Partnering with the right manufacturer means product engineers can streamline their process, obtaining both prototypes and production parts without the need to juggle multiple suppliers. This results in prototypes that are not only of superior quality but also produced swiftly and more economically than through traditional production tooling methods.

When comparing prototype molds to production molds, it's important to examine several critical factors:

Materials

Prototype molds are often made from soft, malleable materials that are easy and quick to modify, such as aluminum. Although ideal for end-use production, they won’t last as long as stainless steel molds. Stainless steel molds are the better choice for low-volume end-use production, as they often deliver two times more parts than aluminum ones.

Quality and intricacy

Production molds are designed for large-scale plastic injection molding in China. They often have a more complex structure and are manufactured with high-quality steel to withstand several injection molding cycles. Modern manufacturers also provide quality and detailed prototype molds to help engineers verify and test their designs more effectively. To save time, be sure to work with an injection molding specialist that offers injection molding as end-use prototype manufacturing.

Injection molding prototyping

Specially engineered polymers may be used if prototype injection molding in China is integrated into the end product. However, the injection-molded parts may need additional testing to ensure reliability. The final production injection molds can be used, depending on the outcome or circumstances. Otherwise, it’s necessary to use another prototype tooling.

Ultimately, the objective is to promote timely testing and ensure a high-quality prototype to help engineers identify design flaws and make improvements before going into full end-use production.

HLH Prototypes is a trusted provider of injection molding services in China for prototyping or low-volume end-use production. Fill out the form on their website for a project review, or call +86 755 8256 9129.

About the Company:

HLH Prototypes Co. Ltd is a company specializing in delivering tailor-made, fast prototyping and efficient low-volume production solutions. Situated in China, our prototyping firm ensures the speed and quality necessary for your project's success. We extend our rapid part manufacturing services throughout China via our core offerings, which encompass sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, swift tooling, rapid injection molding, urethane vacuum casting, FDM 3D printing, SLS 3D printing, and SLA rapid prototyping. We cater to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 corporations, small enterprises, and everyone in between, guaranteeing top-notch services. For additional details, please explore our website.


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