IDC Models injects new moulding service
10 November 2009
IDC Models, the specialist model making arm of Industrial Design Consultancy (IDC), is offering a new injection moulding service in-house that will make low to medium volume product manufacture much more cost and time efficient.
The move will provide a much-needed midway option for many and complement the model maker’s current stereolithography rapid prototyping and vacuum casting capabilities. Traditionally, injection moulding has been associated with high volume manufacture due to the time and costs involved in making the moulds and setting up for a job. In addition to its rapid tooling techniques, IDC Models is keen to offer the benefits of its small, flexible injection moulding machine as standard to all companies regardless of quantity.
Vince O’Horo, director of IDC Models, explains the move, “This is a remarkably cost-effective option for customers who need higher volumes than vacuum casting or need to use an exact grade of plastic. For low or medium volume manufacture in particular (200 to 5000 parts), the costs of a production injection moulding tool is uneconomic and the delays are often several months. By using in-house rapid tooling methods it becomes a possibility for everyone, whether a company needs just one model or thousands. We can speed up the process, reduce cost and choose a tailored production method best suited to the customer’s needs.”
The in-house injection moulding capability has additional benefits too. Where SLA prototypes and vacuum castings have limitations in the materials that can be used, injection moulding fills the gap allowing products in the medical or food sectors, for example, to be tested realistically before manufacturing the final product. Numerous materials can be incorporated into the injection moulding process following rapid prototyping, including metal and resin.
Rapid prototyping and model making expert Vince O’Horo continued, “This is also particularly helpful for companies creating specialist products who need to just test part of a product but don’t require multiple prototypes. The injection moulding tool can make that happen swiftly and without breaking the bank.”
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