Moldmaking with 3D Prints: Six Techniques for Prototyping and Production

Moldmaking with 3D prints allows engineers and designers to increase the functionality from their 3D printer beyond rapid prototyping and directly 3D printing parts.

Mold making opens up a world of production materials, and provides the ability to produce short run batches and test mold designs prior to committing to expensive tooling.

What types of moldmaking processes are possible with an in-house SLA 3D printer?

To answer this question, the white paper covers:

• Six techniques with accompanying case studies, includes:
• Injection
  • Molding
  • Overmolding
  • Vacuum Forming
  • Silicone Molding
  • Compression Molding
  • Composite Molding
• This white paper also provides links for further research and reading on each of the molding processes.

It should be noted that these processes are best suited to stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, given that printed parts are both isotropic and watertight.