prototype and production mold

[Bader]

There has been an argument regarding the defination of a "prototype mold" and "production mold" with specific reference to injection molding.

Is it a MUST that a prototype mold cannot produce larger volumes (say > 5,000 pcs, simple core/cavity 5 gm pc)?
Does it HAVE to be an Aluminum mold?
If there are two tools for same components, one is Aluminum and other is steel, both single cavity....would these be 'prototype tools' ? (or would you label the Al as prototype and Steel as production tool?)

Bader

[rickbatey]

A prototype tool can be produced in any material. The reason for this build is to prove part shape, finished dimensions, tool design, cycle time , prove a new process technique capable, and hundreds of other reasons. The biggest differances is the use of hand loaded inserts (steel, aluminum, of berrylium) versus lifters for the parts. I have seen numerous prototype tools converted to production, since they worked so well. The trick for the aluminum ones is to use ejector sleeves in the mold base for the harder ejector pins to cycle against. Rick.

[Bader]

Rick

My argument of using steel instead of Al for (even) protype mold is that differential of material cost Al vs Steel is not very significant !

In many cases (my exprience) the client likes the parts from the Al tool and says he wants to carry on with that and insists on "just a few hundred more" and than again "just a few hundred more"... and so on.

Why not spend a few hundred dollars more and make the tool in steel instead of AL ?


Bader

[greg]

The steel versus aluminum issue really only shows on large molds where the extra machining time adds up.

I'd say the definition of a prototype tool is any tool where the client pays for what THEY consider to be a temporary tool for the necessity of 'time to parts'.

[Bader]

Hi Greg

I like this defination of yours:

definition of a prototype tool is any tool where the client pays for what THEY consider to be a temporary tool for the necessity of 'time to parts'.

If you cant prove it wrong....it MUST be right !

Bader

[Yoda]

The difference is cost and expected life.