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10 Key Features to Look for in a Prototype Molder

Rapid prototyping

If you are looking to hire a prototype molder there are several key features that you should look for as you compare molding partners that are critical to the success of your project.

1. Mold temperature control

To cut time and cost, many prototype molders will not include temperature control on the mold. However, temperature control is critical to achieving part accuracy and consistency in a manner that replicates production molding. You should ask your molder if their prototype molds include temperature control and only use a supplier that uses a molding system that includes it.

2. Rapid mold iterations

The ability for your molder to implement quick changes to your prototype mold is extremely important for product development. Your company is losing money every day that your product is not on the market. Unfortunately, many prototype molders aren’t set up to provide quick mold changes so it is important to ask their procedure for requesting mold changes and how long those changes typically take to implement. Select a prototype molder that can implement mold changes within 2-3 days.

3. Part design assistance

Plastic part design is relatively difficult where rules change with geometry and materials. It takes years over several projects to gain even a minimal competency with plastic part design. Many molders won’t provide any assistance at all. Others will point out where there are issues but won’t help to resolve them. Look for a prototype molder that is willing to meet with you via online conference to understand your application, step through any issues with you and offer options to resolve them. A prototype molder that offers design assistance to refine your part will significantly improve your chances of success. This will reduce the number of iterations required and minimize the time it takes to bring your product to market.

4. Material selection assistance

Like plastic part design, it can take years of experience and exposure to a wide variety of materials before a person becomes proficient at specifying materials for injection molding. There are more than 100 different material types and over 30,000 grades of injection moldable materials available. There are also dozens of additives available that can be used to enhance certain material properties. Select a prototype molder that can help you navigate these extensive material options and recommend materials that will meet your needs. The molder should also explain exactly why the recommended material is the best option.

5. Accepts complex or challenging geometry

Too often, prototype molders reject complex geometry or challenging molds such as insert and over molding. If you find that a prototype molder is rejecting these types of molds it should be taken as a sign that you need a new vendor. Many prototype molders have systems in place that are not compatible with more complex parts. Your prototype molder should have a system that allows for flexibility and a wide variety of simple to complex parts.

6. Drawings

Your prototype molder should work with you to create a drawing of your part that indicates critical dimensions and tolerances. Unfortunately, many prototype molders do not follow this important step. Without a drawing it is undefined which features are critical to part function and what tolerance is acceptable. Knowing which features are important and their tolerance allows the molder to ensure your parts meet your functional needs. Only use prototype molders that both accept drawings and can provide a drawing for you, then use the drawing to ensure you receive parts that are going to meet your needs.

7. Inspection services

Your prototype molder should perform a first article inspection of critical dimensions when a mold is first completed. The data should confirm that all dimensions are within acceptance criteria. Also, this inspection should be in-house at the prototype molder rather than using a third party. The prototype molder should be in the practice of checking their work and have a policy that they do not release molded parts until they have been proven to be acceptable. Unfortunately, many prototype molders do not perform first article inspection and therefore do not confirm that parts are accurate.

8. Flexible material options

Look for a prototype molder that offers a variety of material options. Prototype molders should 1) have a wide variety of materials readily available in stock, 2) allow customers to submit their own materials for use, and 3) coordinate material orders from distributors and custom compounders on behalf of their customers. All material options should be available.

9. Transferrable prototype molds

A prototype mold should be transferable. There is critical learning that can occur when the mold is transferred to the contract manufacturer that may then be applied to the production mold. In addition, the contract manufacturer can use the prototype molds to run large quantities of parts which can assist in establishing manufacturing lines and support testing. Select a prototype molder that offers transferrable molds.

10. Bridge tooling

Prototype molds should be usable as bridge tooling. Bridge tooling means that the molds can be used to provide at least 50,000 ea parts to support development and may be used to support early production for projects that need to go to market quickly. Many prototype molders will offer various levels of mold fabrication with increasing cost and lead time. Look for a prototype molder with a molding system that is capable of molding a few parts to over 50,000 parts without increasing cost and lead time.

Protoshop was founded by product development engineers that have engaged various prototype molders in the past as a customer and always found their services to be lacking in several areas. We knew there was a way to provide better service. Protoshop was created to provide all of the key features indicated by this article that are lacking in our competitors. Our goal is to provide superior injection molded parts that exceed product requirements and customer expectations. High quality parts enable products to transfer to manufacturing with unrivaled speed and efficiency.

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.