Rapid tooling is the process of combining rapid prototyping techniques along with traditional tooling practices in order to produce a mold quickly or different parts of a functional model from CAD. With the help of this process, the work can be done in less time and also at low costs in comparison to the traditional machining methods. Rapid tooling is known to act when a bridge to produce injection molded parts. Rapid tooling either makes use of the rapid prototyping services directly or uses it as a pattern in order to create a tool for a limited number of prototypes.
When there is a need to produce tooling in a less expensive manner and also in lesser time that is when rapid tooling comes in the picture. Like for example, Rapid tooling can help you save 40% to 50% of the total cost and as far as the time is concerned, it can help you save 40% to 60%. It is because of this reason that the process of rapid tooling is preferred over the traditional methods of tooling. Rapid Tooling has several advantages to offer which we will be discussing in this article.
The Advantages of Rapid Tooling
Rapid Tooling is mainly used to build cavity inserts and core as a product of prototyping technology which is known to have several benefits that are listed below:
- It takes very lesser time for tooling in comparison to the traditional tooling methods. Thus, it proves to be an effective tooling method.
- Not only time but it is also a cost-effective method of tooling in comparison to the traditional tooling methods.
- Another great advantage is that the product is brought into the market before it’s scheduled time.
- The fact that this is a cost-effective method people can get the products at a much lower price in comparison to the price of the product when they produced using the injection tools.
- This particular process allows the production of a wide variety of products using a wide range of materials.
- The process of rapid tooling is mainly used for the production of small quantities which even include prototyping.
- The process of rapid tooling can also be used for troubleshooting existing problems.
- Nowadays rapid tooling is used to produce molds which are used for commercial purposes since the time lag from start to finish is short.
Other than this there are other benefits as well. Some of the other additional benefits of rapid tooling include the following:
- Rapid Tooling also provides the customization of personal applications which include putting the design through a CAD program. With the help of this, a personal custom mold can be produced in order to fix the problem.
Thus, you can see the number of benefits that one can get from the use of rapid tooling. It is one of the most time saving and cost-effective method for tooling that one could opt for.