The big gap between injection molding and 3D printing
Injection molding is conceptually much easier to explain than the different 3D printing processes. You make a negative of the desired part and fill it with liquid plastic. This hardens and the part is finished. So why is this simple process so lengthy and costs enormous sums of money?
3D printing technologies such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), Binder Jetting, Fused Filament Fabrication and many others are readily available. 3D prints are comparatively cheap but never offer the same properties as injection molded parts.
Combining the advantages of injection molding and 3D printing
In order to bridge the gap between 3D printing and injection molding, Injex consistently pursues a new approach - Additive Tooling: Quickly and inexpensively 3D print an injection mold and thus produce prototypes in more functional, production-grade materials.
For components with a maximum shot weight of 10 grams we have established a reliable and incomparably fast process. Using a wide variety of 3D printing technologies, we manufacture our injection molding prototype tools quickly and economically. At the same time, the tools offer a high surface quality, good dimensional accuracy and exceptional mechanical and thermal resistance.
Design Guidelines for Injection Molding
The tool life is not the end
Rapid prototyping for injection molding has another decisive advantage: the output quantity of the tools is not limited. Even when the prototype tools have reached their service life, no new tool costs are incurred. Because if a first tool exists, it can be replaced quickly and without additional costs.
