Rapid Tooling Services
HordRT delivers high-quality rapid tooling for prototypes and short production runs, achieving up to 95% of the precision, quality, and stability of traditional molds. Using pre-hardened steel, our tooling allows for cost-effective engineering changes during development, with the only difference being a shorter tooling lifespan.
1-off Aluminum Prototype
1,000+ Standardized Molds
50,000+ Cycles Standard Lifespan
How HordRT Makes Rapid Tooling
DfM (Design for Manufacturing) is provided within 24 hours after the customer confirms the order.
Tooling design and main steel cutting begin simultaneously after DfM approval.
CNC machining of cavity and core inserts is performed; matched MUD is checked and sent to the tooling assembly workshop.
Auxiliary tooling components are machined and sent to the tooling assembly workshop.
Tooling is fitted and polished.
Tooling is inspected by a master and sent to the injection molding workshop for testing.
Initial samples are checked by engineers and sent for dimensional inspection.
Quality Control for Rapid Tooling
HordRT offers high-quality rapid tooling services backed by industry experience, skilled engineers, and strict quality control. We deliver reliable solutions that ensure successful product development.
Defects in Rapid Tooling Be Minimized
- Optimizing Process Parameters:Adjust temperature, pressure, and cooling times to ensure consistent quality.
- Routine Maintenance: Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of equipment to prevent wear and defects.
- Advanced Simulation Tools: Use simulation software to predict and address potential issues during the design phase.
Predictive Maintenance
Calibration in Maintaining Rapid Tooling Equipment
Why Choose HordRT for Rapid Tooling
Fast Delivery & No Minimums
At HordRT, we have hundreds of shared mold bases and a wide range of precision machines, allowing us to produce your rapid parts in a short time. Most importantly, we can ship anywhere in the world.
Guaranteed Quality & Competitive Pricing
HordRT has extensive tooling capabilities, supported by a team with the skills and technical knowledge you can rely on. We can find the most efficient approach for your project to save costs while maintaining high-quality parts. By using a shared mold base system, tooling costs can be 30–50% lower than traditional production tooling.
Rapid Tooling Expertise
HordRT, a rapid tooling expert, selects cost-effective materials such as P20 steel to meet product development challenges. Known for its durability and corrosion resistance, P20 ensures high performance and a superior glossy finish, making it ideal for engineering-grade plastic molds.
Common Applications
Using rapid tooling, designers can create multiple prototypes in a fraction of the time required by conventional tooling methods. For many entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses, this method is one of the most efficient ways to develop a new product from scratch. HordRT helps turn your product ideas into reality!
Medical Devices & Dental
Automotive
Aerospace
Electronics
Consumer Products
Energy
What is Rapid Tooling
Rapid tooling making is a fast, convenient and cost-effective technology, which is characterized by a short molding cycle, simple process, easy promotion, low molding cost, accuracy, and longer tooling life that can meet functional needs. It is especially suitable for the development and trial production of new products, process verification, and functional verification, as well as multi-variety and low-volume production. With our rich knowledge and customized manufacturing experience, we can help you accelerate the product to market.
Rapid tooling(RT) refers to the process of quickly creating molds or tools using advanced manufacturing technologies, such as CNC machining or 3D printing , to reduce lead times and costs in product development. It allows for faster production of prototypes or limited production runs.
Rapid Tooling is more and more popular in these years, which greatly reduces the time needed for mold-forming process and therefore increases the speed of production. Most traditional manufacturing process requires custom tooling to create end-use parts. However, tooling comes with high upfront costs and weeks or month-long lead times from services providers.
This in turn reduces the time to market allowing companies to increase profits. RT also allows the ease of product customization due to its flexibility in tool design, ability to adapt to customers’ specifications, and most importantly, does not require high volume to break even. Conceptual designs can be further improved without incurring high costs compared to conventional manufacturing processes. These factors in RT attribute to high performance manufacturing and high quality products.
In Hord, we generally use shared mold base system to make rapid tooling. Therefore, the tooling cost is lower than traditional manufacturing process, and it is especially suitable for on-demand production and low-volume production.
Recommended Blog: the significance of rapid tooling.
Rapid Tooling Materials
Steel Mold Tooling
At HordRT, we only use superior-quality materials for rapid tooling, e.g., steel P20. When referring to steel, it is widely recognized for its unique properties and is a popular, versatile material. Steel is solid, sturdy, and high-quality, making it suitable for producing wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant engineering-grade plastic molds. One of the main advantages of using steel is that it helps achieve a better glossy surface finish.
Types of Rapid Tooling
Direct Rapid Tooling
1. Create a 3D CAD model of a mold or tool.
2. Send the file to a machine to make the actual mold or tool that will be used for producing prototypes.
3. The tool or mold produced can then be used directly to make prototypes—typically a very small number of them.
Indirect Rapid Tooling
1. Create a 3D CAD model of the master mold or tool.
2. Send the file to a machine to create a master mold or tool, also known as a pattern. This master pattern is typically very durable.
3. Make more molds or tools based on the master pattern. The new molds or tools can be made from different types of materials with different properties.
A single master pattern can produce many different tools or molds in large or small quantities, which in turn can produce many more prototypes
· Can produce multiple prototypes from a single mold or tool
·Allowing to make multiple molds quickly as your design changes
· Can make either hard or soft tools based on customer's needs. Hard tools are ideal for complex designs,while soft tools can be used for simple designs or cost-effective prototype testing.
· Ideal for experimenting with different materials
· Could result in higher product development costs if create multiple moldsfor each new design iteration
· Not always a good option if the design will change significantly during the prototyping stage
· May require higher quality materials to make a robust master pattern
· Can produce multiple prototypes from a single mold or tool
·Allowing to make multiple molds quickly as your design changes
· Can make either hard or soft tools based on customer's needs. Hard tools are ideal for complex designs,while soft tools can be used for simple designs or cost-effective prototype testing.
· Ideal for experimenting with different materials
· Could result in higher product development costs if create multiple moldsfor each new design iteration
· Not always a good option if the design will change significantly during the prototyping stage
· May require higher quality materials to make a robust master pattern
Direct rapid tooling is a flexible method that gives you the freedom to experiment with different dimensions.
Indirect rapid tooling is the preferred option for product designers that are ready to thoroughly test their prototypes and select materials or finishes for their end products.
WHY CHOOSE US
INSTANT QUOTING
Timely reply and provide the quote within 24 hours
NO MOQ REQUIRED
Hord does not have minimum order quantity
HIGH QUALITY
ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 certificated and inspect every step
COST-EFFICIENT
+30% cost lower than western competitors
QUICK TUAROUND
Parts make in 7 days and delivery on time
DFM ANALYSIS
Once receiving the inquiry, we will provide you with a preliminary DFM report
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
More than 20 years of rapid tooling making
GOOD RAPUTATION FROM CUSTOMERS
Customers are satisfied with our services, products quality and delivery time.
Rapid Tooling FAQs
Rapid tooling bridges the gap between prototypes and full production, delivering high-quality, durable molds for limited production runs. It lets you test designs with real materials, achieve precise parts, and bring products to market faster—all while saving time and costs. Perfect for quick iterations, pre-production testing, and small-batch manufacturing, rapid tooling turns your ideas into production-ready parts in record time.
It depends on the material, size and the geometry of the part. Generally, the tooling can be completed within 3 weeks. Some simple parts can be done within 3-7 days.
Hord offers a wide range of materials for rapid tooling. Clients can choose the suitable material for the project.
The cost of rapid tooling depends on several factors, including the part’s volume, quantity, size, material, and surface finish. By understanding your specific requirements, we can provide a tailored and cost-effective solution that fits your production needs.
Cases of Rapid Tooling Making
Ready to Work On your Next Project?
Let us help you provide high quality parts in short time. Get your project started now!
