Speed vs. Quality in Prototype Tooling_ Finding the Right Balance

Speed vs. Quality in Prototype Tooling: Finding the Right Balance

Prototyping is one of the most important steps in the product development process. Prototypes allow product developers to find design flaws and/or test different design options quickly by providing tangible models that can be evaluated for form, fit, and functionality before committing to full-scale production tooling. Different types of prototypes can be used during different phases of the project, including clay mock-ups, 3D printed parts, machined parts, and cast and injection molded parts. Due to advances in the speed of mold fabrication, prototype injection molding has become one of the most popular methods of producing both functional plastic prototypes and

injection mold being created in a lab

Cost-Effective Injection Mold Fabrication: Balancing Quality & Budget

The quality of an injection molding tool directly impacts product quality and overall production costs. Balancing the need for high-quality molds with budget constraints is a challenge product developers and manufacturers contend with continually. Strategies for achieving cost-effective mold fabrication without compromising quality will maximize the value of an injection molding tooling investment. From efficient design practices and leveraging of technology to material selection, we’ll explore practical approaches to help product developers and manufacturers optimize the mold fabrication processes. Understanding the Importance of Quality in Mold Fabrication High-quality molds contribute significantly to product precision, surface finish, and functionality, ultimately enhancing

Dylann Ceriani - The Selling Podcast graphic

Protoshop’s Dylann Ceriani on “The Selling Podcast” with Mike Williams and Scott Schlofman

On her guest appearance on The Selling Podcast, Dylann Ceriani, co-founder of Protoshop, chats with hosts Scott Schlofman and Mike Williams, providing a unique sales perspective from the standpoint of an engineer. Though Dylann loves technical work, she has stepped into sales out of necessity and devotion to her position as a new business co-founder. She discusses her lead generation tactics, leveraging LinkedIn and her website to find customers without a sales team. Dylann also clarifies her consultative approach, where she guides potential clients on the best part design for efficient manufacturing. Throughout the episode, Dylann gives an inside look

Prototype Injection Molding for Product Designers

Prototype Injection Molding for Product Designers: A Comprehensive Guide to Success

As the industry of product design evolves, innovation and efficiency have become more significant. Prototype injection molding offers designers flexibility, speed, and precision in bringing their concepts to life. In this comprehensive guide, we embark on a journey to understand prototype injection molding, equipping product designers with a robust toolkit for success. Understanding Prototype Injection Molding for Product Designers Prototype injection molding allows designers to iterate on designs and swiftly validate concepts with precision. At its essence, this process is identical to injection molding used for production-quality plastic parts in that it involves injecting molten material into a custom-designed mold

3D render image of a plastic injection mold representing CAD development

From Concept to Completion: A Step by Step Guide to Prototype Mold Fabrication

Prototyping is a critical step in product development, allowing product developers and engineers to create physical manifestations of product concepts and test them before committing to full-scale, expensive production molds. However, prototyping can be a major investment, requiring custom mold fabrication, material selection, process setting, and quality testing. For manufactured plastic and rubber parts, injection molding has become the most common method of producing prototypes due to its ability for rapid fabrication coupled with precision results. With the right approach to prototyping, product developers can gather critical product feedback, optimize designs, and minimize tooling rework down the line. This reduces

insert molded pieces from insert molding project

Navigating the Overmolding Process and Complex Prototyping Challenges

The overmolding process is a specialized manufacturing technique that involves molding one material over another to create a single part. This technique often adds soft-touch surfaces on hard plastics, combines different materials for aesthetic appeal, or encapsulates metal components. Overmolding is used widely across various industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and more, enabling the creation of products that are not only functional but also ergonomic and visually appealing. By combining different materials, manufacturers can design products that meet specific performance criteria, enhance user experience, and comply with safety standards. For instance, overmolding can create a soft, rubber-like grip

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Excellent
Based on 7 reviews
Dana Taylor
Dana Taylor
2024-01-17
If you're in need of a molding prototype shop, Dylann and Jimmy at Protoshop are sure to not only meet but exceed your expectations. Their team demonstrates remarkable responsiveness and proactiveness, contributing to an exceptionally efficient overall process. The speed at which they deliver top-notch work is truly impressive. Protoshop's commitment to customer satisfaction is apparent in their flexibility and willingness to closely collaborate with clients to address specific needs. An exemplary instance of this was their accommodation of our request to have our customer onsite for part evaluation and mold changes while we were present. What sets Protoshop apart is not solely their technical proficiency but also their dedication to providing valuable insights and design advice. Their expertise extends beyond standard projects, showcasing proficiency in handling complex components for diverse applications, be it over-molded sealing parts or flexible components. In conclusion, if you're on the lookout for a reliable and efficient partner for your manufacturing and molding requirements, I wholeheartedly recommend Protoshop. Their combination of expertise, responsiveness, and commitment to customer satisfaction makes them an exceptional choice for a variety of projects.
Brittany Mason
Brittany Mason
2023-06-06
I have worked with Photoshop on several mold designs over the past year. From the moment I reached out to them with an inquiry, they were prompt in their communication and eager to assist me. I have greatly appreciated and benefited from their extensive expertise and prompt feedback. They consistently offering valuable suggestions and insights that ultimately saved us money in the overall design. As for the quality of work they provided, Dylann and her team have always come through. If any issues do arise, they have been quick to offer solutions and kept us up to date throughout the whole process. If you're looking for a reliable partner for your plastics molding needs, I would check them out.
Stacie Depner
Stacie Depner
2022-10-18
Having worked with Dylann and Jimmy prior to Protoshop, I knew the immense level of expertise they have for this business and it proved to carry through. They are honest straight shooters that will help guide you and find the best solution for your molds. We needed a mild that could be versatile and allow us to easily change out one side of the design. Dylann helped us come up with an approach that will allow us to continuously iteration the design without having to make a whole new mold every time.
Chad Follmar
Chad Follmar
2022-08-23
Dylann and team are wonderful to work with. On multiple programs, they have delivered quality product in a matter of days. The design for moldability support is unparalled to ensure your part is ready to order.
Garrett Garner
Garrett Garner
2022-06-15
We work regularly with Protoshop on a variety of complex components for various projects. They are an excellent company to work with providing a vast history of experience to help their clients optimize designs. We have worked with them on microfluidic chips with small feature sizes, over molded sealing parts and flexible parts. They have experience working with many materials including Topas (COC), polycarbonate, TPE, PE, and PP. I would highly recommend reaching out on your next project. The team is very responsive to design changes as well as delivering to tight timelines. They also offer design advice and best practices which have helped expedite design iterations.
Steven Soeder
Steven Soeder
2022-06-13
Great experience with Protoshop. Dylann is extremely responsive and great to work with. Very fast turn-around. Worked with us on our order to get what we needed. I was able to drop ship 3d printed parts from another vendor to Protoshop to have them match-fit and incorporated into our tooling. I will be back again.
Wendell Woidyla
Wendell Woidyla
2022-05-31
Dylann at Protoshop is excellent to work with: highly responsive and proactive. This is possibly the fastest, high-quality work I have ever witnessed. 1 week...from payment (start) to delivery (after CTQ measurements at Protoshop), we had 100 test samples of a component we intend to use in high volume manufacturing. Thank you for the tremendous work! I would highly recommend Protoshop, and will plan to use Protoshop services in the future.