Understanding Plastic Injection Molds: Construction, Cost, and Why Quality Matters
Take a deeper look into the construction and cost factors of injection molds, and discover how quali
With over 23 years of experience, Goldwin specializes in mold making and plastic injection services. One of our advanced solutions is rapid tooling — a fast, cost-effective method for producing low-volume molds that accelerate your product’s path from design to market.
What Is Rapid Tooling?
Rapid tooling, also known as prototype tooling or bridge tooling, is used to create molds quickly for low-volume or prototype injection molding. It allows companies to test their product’s function, structure, material, and market viability — all without committing to the cost and lead time of full-scale production molds.
Why Choose Rapid Tooling?
- Cost-effective: Saves 60–80% compared to production tooling.
- Fast turnaround: Ready in 5–28 days.
- Design-friendly: Allows modifications as product evolves.
- Perfect for prototyping, pilot runs, and market testing.
When to Use Rapid Tooling vs. Production Tooling
| Criteria | Rapid Tooling | Production Tooling |
|---|---|---|
| Use Case | Prototypes, small batches | Mass production |
| Cost | $1,000–$20,000 | $20,000–$100,000+ |
| Lead Time | 5–28 days | 8–16 weeks |
| Lifespan | 100–10,000 cycles | 100,000+ cycles |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
Common Applications
- Testing 50–500 prototypes quickly
- Short-run production (1,000–5,000 units)
- Reducing inventory risks with on-demand molding
Materials We Use
- Aluminum (6061/7075): Fast, affordable, ideal for 100–5,000 parts
- Steel (P20/H13): Tougher, good for 10,000+ cycles
Plastics for Rapid Molding
- ABS, PP, PC, TPU, Nylon, PEEK, PEI, PMMA, PS
Precision & Quality
We ensure ±0.05mm standard precision or ±0.02mm for high-accuracy steel molds. CMM checks and test shots are used to validate dimensions before mass replication.
Shipping & File Types
We support STEP, IGES, and SolidWorks files. We ship globally via DHL/FedEx within 3–5 days to most countries.
Conclusion
Goldwin’s rapid tooling service is your bridge from concept to commercial reality. Whether you’re testing the market, refining a design, or producing early units, our speed and precision ensure your product gets there first — and gets there right.
📩 Contact us today to explore how rapid tooling can accelerate your product development.
