Protomold accentuates the 'rapid' in rapid injection moulding

The US based company, Protomold has barely reached its seventh year in business, yet it has established itself as one of the foremost suppliers of rapid injection moulding (RIM) services to some of the biggest names in US industry. A few months ago, the company set up its first outpost in Europe, at Telford, where a young, five-strong team has already made its mark with UK manufacturers seeking faster routes to pre-production injection moulded parts. So, what is the secret of its success?

Protomold's business is driven by software - innovative, proprietary software that covers every step in the RIM process, from job quotation through to CNC tool-path generation for the production of the aluminium mould tool. All customers have to do is go to Protomold's web site and follow the link to its 'ProtoQuote' interactive form, upload CAD models of their parts and then answer a series of questions. The actual cost of the job is displayed from the beginning, being automatically updated as the customer provides details of his choice of resin, desired lead times, and so on. Any likely injection moulding problems are automatically identified and flagged to the customer during this very early stage in the process (insufficient draft, thin walls and so on), allowing the model to be modified before proceeding any further.

But it is the lead time issue that gives Protomold the edge over its competitors. The 'default' lead time on any ProtoQuote is 15 days; however, you can stipulate five and (very soon in the UK) three days from receipt of order to the delivery of injection moulded parts - a service that Protomold believes is second to none in Europe.

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• Protomold

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