Rapid Tooling – Bridge the Gap from Prototype to Production
✓ Production-grade materials (ABS, PC, PP, Nylon, etc.)
✓ Real injection molding process
✓ No compromise on quality
Rapid Tooling vs. Conventional Tooling: What's the Difference?
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Aptprototype Rapid Tooling |
Conventional Tooling |
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Lead Time |
7–15 days |
4–8 weeks |
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Tooling Cost |
$1,000 – $10,000 |
$15,000 – $50,000+ |
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Mold Life |
500 – 5,000+ shots |
100,000 – 1,000,000+ shots |
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Design Changes |
Easy to modify |
Difficult / expensive |
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Best For |
Market testing, bridge production, low-volume launch |
High-volume mass production |
When you need real parts fast – without the wait and cost of production tooling – rapid tooling is the answer.
Rapid Tooling Types: Which One Is Right for You?
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Mold Type |
Best For |
Mold Life |
Lead Time |
Key Advantage |
Aptprototype Recommends |
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Aluminum Mold |
Low-volume production, Market testing, Bridge tooling |
500–5,000 shots |
5–10 days |
Best value, Production-grade materials, Fastest turnaround |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Most Popular |
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Pre-Hardened Steel Mold |
Medium-volume, Long-term projects, Glass-filled materials |
10,000–50,000 shots |
15–20 days |
High durability, Suitable for abrasive resins |
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
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Silicone Mold |
Visual prototypes, Soft/translucent materials, <50 units |
10–50 shots |
3–5 days |
Ultra-low cost, Fastest for very small quantities |
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
Rapid Tooling Materials Comparison
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Material Type |
Common Grades |
Mold Life |
Lead Time |
Key Advantages |
Best For |
Recommended |
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Aluminum |
AL 7075, 6061 |
500–5,000 shots |
5–10 days |
• Excellent thermal conductivity (faster cooling) |
Low-volume production, Market testing, Bridge tooling |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Most Popular |
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• Quick machining |
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• Low cost |
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Pre-Hardened Steel |
P20, S50C |
10,000–50,000 shots |
15–20 days |
• 5x longer life than aluminum |
Medium-volume production, Non-filled materials |
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
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• Good weldability for modifications |
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• Moderate cost |
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Stainless / Holder Steel |
NAK80 |
50,000–300,000 shots |
3–4 weeks |
• Excellent polishability (mirror finish) |
Clear parts, High-gloss surfaces, Glass-filled materials |
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
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• Corrosion resistant |
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• Ideal for transparent/optical parts |
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Hardened Steel |
H13, S136 |
500,000–1,000,000+ shots |
4–8 weeks |
• Extreme wear resistance |
High-volume production, High-temp materials (PEEK), Corrosive resins (PVC) |
⭐⭐☆☆☆ |
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• High temperature resistance |
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• Handles corrosive materials |
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Silicone Rubber |
Mold silicone |
10–50 shots |
3–5 days |
• Flexible – can mold complex undercuts |
Visual prototypes, Soft materials, Very low quantities (<50 pcs) |
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
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• No draft angle required |
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• Ultra-low cost |
The Aptprototype Rapid Tooling Process – From CAD to Parts in Days
FAQ
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What materials can you use?
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How many parts can I get?
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Can I make design changes after T1?
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Do you provide certificates?