Why use a rapid prototyping service before building a plastic injection mold?
Anyone who has ever designed a complex assembly knows that a mistake can be devastating, especially if it involves modifying or rebuilding expensive tooling. While CAD software can catch many errors before an injection molding tool is built, there is no substitute for having a real part or assembly in hand for testing in the real world. Rapid prototypes enable quick checks on form, fit, and function of the new design. In some cases, rapid prototypes can be made from the same material as the injection molded plastic part. Today, the product development process for molded plastic parts can be streamlined by turning around rapid prototypes in as little as two days.
