Xometry.pro
en – TR
Knowledge & Community
Search
K
Quote & source your parts
Europe Europe
English DeutschFrançaisItalianoEspañol
Türkiye Türkiye
English Türkçe
United Kingdom United Kingdom
English
Global Global
English
select
navigate
switch tabs
Esc close

Get Instant Quote

Use our Instant Quoting Engine to easily quote and source your parts online

Get a Quote
Back
 Profile
Menu
Materials Library
Manufacturing Stories & Cases
Articles
Free Tools
E-Books & Guides
Webinars
Free Courses
Community Discussions
Create Topic
Quote & Source Your Parts
Get a Quote

Edit topic

Home Xometry Community Manufacturing Injection molding for prototypes?

Injection molding for prototypes?

0
S
4

Hey, I’m prototyping small plastic parts with tight tolerances and a polished surface finish. My initial plan was to use injection molding, but I’m concerned about the high upfront tooling costs for this stage. Are there any alternative methods that could help reduce costs while still providing functional parts for testing? I’d also like to understand how such alternatives compare in terms of surface quality and precision.

Link copied
Solved by Fabio Renda
I see. If that's the case there are a few alternatives. You can have the parts machined from plastic, provided the product design is suited to machining, alternatively, you can try polyurethane casting which requires a machined and polished mold into which a thermosetting elastomer is cast.
    • S

      Hey, I’m prototyping small plastic parts with tight tolerances and a polished surface finish. My initial plan was to use injection molding, but I’m concerned about the high upfront tooling costs for this stage. Are there any alternative methods that could help reduce costs while still providing functional parts for testing? I’d also like to understand how such alternatives compare in terms of surface quality and precision.

      0
      Reply
    • F

      It depends on what you are trying to achieve with the prototype.

      For example are you in the early stages of research and ideation or are you in the market testing phase?

      0
      Reply
      Link copied
      • S
        Fabio Renda

        I am currently just testing the function of the prototype, it needs a tight tolerance and smooth finish, not for aesthetics, but rather for the proper function of the device.

        0
        Reply
        Link copied
      • F
        Spencer Ball

        I see. If that’s the case there are a few alternatives. You can have the parts machined from plastic, provided the product design is suited to machining, alternatively, you can try polyurethane casting which requires a machined and polished mold into which a thermosetting elastomer is cast.

        0
        Reply
        Link copied
    • D

      Injection molding can be suitable for prototyping in some cases, it all depends on volumes though. If you want to test market feedback you would most likely need a large number of products to get sufficient data. Some companies provide cheaper molding solutions specifically suited to prototyping and achieve this by making use of aluminum molds instead of polished and plated tool steel.

      0
      Reply
      Link copied
Injection molding for prototypes?
Your information:




Suggested Topics

Topic
Replies
Views
Activity
Welding
Manufacturing
Good afternoon,Does Xometry perform welding work such as sealing the folds of a box-shaped design?Can Xometry weld a nut, for example an aluminum DIN934, onto an aluminum sheet?Best regards read more
j
0
98
May 22
Sac Metal Bükümlerinde Büküm Yöntemi Seçimi ve Sac Açınımı Hk.
Manufacturing
Bükümlü bir sac parça tasarlayıp en doğru şekilde imal edilmesini istiyorum. Parçanın tasarımı bitince sacı düzleştirip dxf alıyorum ve lazer kesim veya punçta kesiyorum. Hedefim doğru sac açınımını bulmak. Sac bükümlerini modellerken üç farklı... read more
E
0
203
May 22
H7/g6 fit – is it too tight for manual assembly?
Manufacturing
Hi, I’m using a limits-and-fits guide to spec a bearing housing. I’m looking at an H7/g6 fit for a sliding location, but this is a field-repaired unit. If I go that tight, is some... read more
N
E
2
910
Apr 05
Improving heat-set insert retention in FDM-printed ABS brackets
Manufacturing
Hey! I have FDM-printed ABS bracket for an industrial sensor mount that’s fixed to aluminum frame using M4 screws. The part sees light vibration and occasional re-torquing during maintenance. I’m considering switching from self-tapping... read more
B
L
1
529
Mar 19
stainless steel bolts with brass inserts for a plastic intake manifold
Manufacturing
hello, I’m redesigning an intake manifold joint on an IC engine where the upper and lower manifolds are plastic, and the factory setup uses M6 class 8.8 screws threading directly into plastic bosses. The... read more
L
A
1
547
Feb 24

Edit topic