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Making Smart Choices for Low Volume Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping

As the demand for custom-designed and high-quality products grows, many businesses turn to low volume manufacturing and rapid prototyping to meet their clients' demands. This approach can provide a variety of benefits, including faster time to market, greater flexibility in production iterations, and lower costs when compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

However, there's a lot to consider when choosing a low volume manufacturing and rapid prototyping solution. In this blog post, we will explore some key considerations to help you make smart choices for your manufacturing and prototyping needs.

1. Determine the Best Manufacturing Method

There are a variety of methods used for low volume manufacturing, including injection molding, 3D printing, vacuum casting, and CNC machining. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's essential to evaluate them all to find the one that best fits your needs.

For example, if you need to produce a small number of parts quickly, then 3D printing might be the best option. If you require parts with high strength and detail, then CNC machining might be the way to go. Consider the material properties, cost, and lead times for all methods before making your final decision.

2. Choose the Right Material

Material selection is another key consideration when it comes to low volume manufacturing and rapid prototyping. While some methods can handle a wide range of materials, others may have limitations on what they can produce.

For example, if you require parts with high heat resistance, you might choose reinforced plastics such as ABS or polyamide. If you need parts that can withstand chemical exposure, then consider materials such as polypropylene or PEEK. Evaluate the mechanical properties, chemical properties, and costs of each material you're considering to find the best fit.

3. Consider the Design and Prototyping Process

Rapid prototyping is all about iterating quickly and efficiently. As such, it's essential to choose a manufacturing process that accommodates changes and revisions easily.

Consider working with a partner that has production-grade 3D printing, including multi-jet fusion or selective laser sintering. Both of these technologies can provide fast turnaround times for prototypes, with high-quality surface finishes and the ability to print with a range of materials. This way, you'll be able to test your design and make necessary changes without significant delays.

4. Evaluate Post-Processing Requirements

Many low volume manufacturing methods require some degree of post-processing to finish the parts. This could include sanding, painting, or coating to provide the desired surface finish, color, or functionality.

Consider the time and cost required for post-processing when choosing your manufacturing method. Some methods, such as injection molding, may require additional finishing steps compared to others, such as 3D printing. Evaluate the quality level required for your parts to select the most appropriate post-processing method.

Conclusion

Low volume manufacturing and rapid prototyping can provide significant benefits for businesses seeking custom, high-quality production. By considering the factors outlined above, you can make smart choices when selecting a manufacturing method, materials, and prototyping process. With the right partner, you can speed up your time to market and iterate more efficiently, all while maintaining high-quality standards.

low volume manufacturing rapid prototypes

On-demand Rapid Injection Molding

Sigma’s rapid tooling service helps you to have the low volume to large volume plastic parts done, with no compromise on the material selection.

  • No MOQ required
  • Get the rapid tooling as fast as 2 weeks
  • Free DFM
  • 24/7 engineering support

Our rapid injection molding Application

Sigma Technik Limited's rapid injection molding service injects molten plastic materials into molds using injection molding machines and molds, and cools and solidifies them over a certain period of time, ultimately forming the required plastic parts. This manufacturing process is usually suitable for producing small and medium-sized plastic parts, which can obtain high-quality and precise parts in a short period of time.

Plastic Injection Molding

Injection molding is a common manufacturing process to produce low volume to large volumes of parts typically made out of plastic. The process involves injecting molten material into a mold and letting it cool to a solid-state.

Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding

Liquid Silicone Rubber is known as LSR, which is a process used to produce parts made from silicone rubber, widely used create products such as medical devices, automotive parts, baby care products, and many others.

2K Injection molding

2K injection molding is a manufacturing process in which two different types of plastic materials are molded together in a single operation to create a single homogeneous component. This process allows for efficient and cost-effective production of high-quality parts that can perform unique functions.

Overmolding and Insert Molding

Overmolding / Insert molding combines two or more materials into a single part, one of the material is usually soft and flexible, or metal. The purpose of overmolding/insert molding is to add functionality, improve grip, provide protection, or enhance aesthetics.

Mission And Vision

Rapid injection molding materials

ABS

ABS is a type of plastic with high strength, hardness, and toughness. It has good impact resistance and wear resistance, and is suitable for manufacturing shells, components, and models.

PC

PC is a transparent, high-strength, high-temperature resistant, and excellent electrical insulation material. It is suitable for manufacturing transparent components, electronic components, and automotive components.

PP

PP is a relatively flexible material with excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. It is suitable for manufacturing containers, pipelines, baby bottles, etc.

PA

PA is a material with high strength, high rigidity, and wear resistance. It is suitable for manufacturing gears, bearings, brackets, etc.

POM

POM is a material with excellent wear resistance, toughness, and rigidity. It is suitable for manufacturing gears, bearings, pulleys, etc.

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About Us

What can we do?

Sigma Technik Limited, as a prototype production company and rapid manufacturer focusing on rapid prototyping and low volume production of plastic and metal parts, has advanced manufacturing technology, one-stop service, diversified manufacturing methods, on-demand manufacturing services and efficient manufacturing processes, which can provide customers with high-quality, efficient and customized product manufacturing services and help customers improve product quality and market competitiveness.

Work

Rapid Injection Molding Service Application

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Rapid Injection Molding FAQs

Burrs appear on the surface of the product, which affects its aesthetics and safety. The solution can be to adjust the parameters of the injection molding machine, such as temperature, pressure, speed, etc., or to perform post-processing, such as polishing, sandblasting, etc.

The warping deformation of the product is usually caused by unstable parameters such as temperature and pressure of the injection molding machine, or improper mold design. The solution can be to adjust parameters such as temperature and pressure, or to redesign the mold.

The occurrence of bubbles inside the product may be due to the high temperature of the injection molding machine and the high moisture content of the material. The solution can be to reduce the temperature of the injection molding machine, adjust the water content of the material, increase the pressure of the injection molding machine, etc.

The product size deviation is too large, which may be caused by material thermal expansion, mold deformation and other reasons. The solution can be to adjust parameters and optimize mold design based on material characteristics.