There is a bottleneck in the tool-making practice, and to compensate for the loss of time, manufacturers turn to rapid tooling methods. It reduces the lead time to manufacture the tools while improving their quality.
You cannot separate rapid tooling from rapid prototyping. It is a progression of the process. In rapid tooling, the tools are produced directly from a CAD model of the part. The technologies used in rapid tooling are significant in hastening tools developed in response to the growing market demand.
In this article, we are going to discuss the tooling practices and their impact on manufacturing.
Types of Rapid Tooling Techniques
Rapid tooling refers to any process that allows you to make a mold or tools in such a short time. The process benefits prototyping because it is more streamlined and faster than conventional tooling. To select the right rapid tooling technique, you should understand each type first.
Direct Tooling
In direct tooling, the mold or tool is produced directly from the prototyping process. It is a fast and simple way to create tools.
The first step in this type of tooling is to create a model for the mold using computer-aided design software. Then the file is sent to a machine or printer to make the actual mold, which will be instrumental in producing the prototypes.
There are two ways to do this. It can either be subtractive like CNC machining or additive like in 3D printing. This mold or tool is applied directly to make prototypes.
Indirect Tooling
The other type of rapid tooling is indirect tooling. It is not as straightforward as direct tooling. It begins with the creation of the model of the master tool using CAD software. This file is sent to the printer or machine to create this master mold, which is the pattern. It is durable and can be used repeatedly.
Molds or tools can be used from the master pattern and made with different materials. These molds are made with either hard tooling or soft tooling. In indirect tooling, the single master pattern can make many different tools or molds in either large or small quantities.
How to Choose the Best Tooling Technique
Some manufacturers are confused about which tooling technique to use. The choice boils down to the product and at which phase you are in product development. One factor that could help you decide whether to use direct or indirect tooling in making your prototype.
Together with the prototype manufacturer, they will help you find out the right tooling process and make recommendations based on several factors that your project has including, your budget, timeline, the complexity of the design, the materials, and tolerances.
The advancements in rapid tooling technologies have helped push the envelope in the prototyping process. It has allowed manufacturers to hasten the process for prototypes to test their form and functionality. These rapid tooling techniques, it can make the prototyping process faster and more efficient.