1. Turn your idea into reality with rapid tooling prototype.
2. Keep production testing moving smoothly with bridge tooling.
3. Eliminate the need for a steel production tool for low volume projects.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a company that provides a high quality rapid tooling prototype for the best price

Many companies offer rapid tooling and prototyping services. The key is to find one that offers a good price without sacrificing quality. Your prototype is your first step in the production process. You want your design to start off on the right foot or you will be catching up for the rest of the production.

I recommend: Catalyst Product Design Group offers accurate, quick, and cost-effective rapid tooling prototype services. Morris Technologies offers years of molding experience to offer a wide range of rapid tooling prototyping services to meet your needs.

Utilize rapid tooling services to acquire a bridge tool to fill in for the real thing

Keep your production process moving by using a bridge tool while the permanent tool is being manufactured. These temporary tools, while not long lasting, are perfect for small batches to use for test runs and market testing.

I recommend: Laser Reproductions offers full service coverage, including rapid bridge tooling, as an extension of their prototyping services. Paramount PDS uses top of the line reinforced resin materials to produce bridge tools that stand up to the physical rigors of the production process.

Consider using rapid tooling suppliers to produce an end product tool

If your production volume is low enough, a steel production tool may be overkill. You may want to consider rapid tooling companies that offer low production rapid tooled parts to cut both costs and production time while still producing a high quality product.

I recommend: Protomold provides a choice of cost effective rapid tooling for low volume parts. They also offer an optional guarantee of the tool for the life of your project. ProtoCAM offers short run rapid tooling for runs producing up to 100,000 parts.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When taking advantage of bridge tooling and short run rapid tooling manufacturing, pay close attention to the quantity guidelines provided by the rapid tooling company. If your short run is small enough, you may be able to take advantage of bridge tooling offers.