Tooling BEFORE Final Prototypes: A Necessary Leap of Faith?

China Manufacturing Decoded

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3M ago 42:03

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Adrian and Renaud explore a critical stage in the new product introduction (NPI) process: Getting tooling for plastic injection molding made before your final prototypes are finished. They discuss the risks and considerations of commissioning tooling before a final prototype is completed, the financial implications, and best practices to mitigate risks.

More widely discussed are the prototyping process, new product development, and freeform injection molding to create 3D-printed tooling that acts as a bridge between rapid prototyping methods and injection mold tooling.

Listen in for guidance to ensure that your tooling investments are well-timed and cost-effective.

Show Sections

00:00 - Introduction
03:02 - The conundrum of when to invest in tooling during the product development process.
05:46 - When does the scenario of worrying about whether it's the right time to commission tooling come up, and what's the process to reach a near-finalized design?
11:45 - Why is tooling required before final prototypes are made?
19:25 - Risks some manufacturers feel they face when taking the plunge on tooling before final prototypes are made.
21:48 - How do we mitigate the risks and feel more confident to invest in tooling?
27:29 - Emerging Technologies: 3D Printed Free-Form Injection Molding
38:57 - Wrap up: The Right Time to Pull the Trigger on Tooling