"Shared molds" is the technical term used to call on the fact that many manufacturing workshops recycle their molds or repurpose them when created with rapid tooling. The practice is not exactly new, but in most recent times, it has seen a surge in companies that are continually looking for ways to cut costs and get the most value out of their molds. This doesn't mean that the quality of the finished products is compromised since it offers plenty of advantages.

Shared Molds – What do They Bring to The Table?

The ranks of benefits brought by repurposing molds can be listed by importance. With that in mind, we also need to understand that all of these factors amount to a single equation, increasing productivity and profits. With the air cleared on that end, we can begin to number said benefits:

Decreased Lead Times

Traditional tooling takes up to a month to get anything done. Rapid tooling can get you anything in a matter of days. Repurposing rapid tooled molds can be done in hours if the level of details that need to be reworked is not too extensive. Keep in mind that repurposed molds are often used to create updated versions of the same component. That's why the time frame to get the work finished takes such little time. ERP systems can do a clean job and complete the retooled project in just a matter of days.

Optimized Costs of Production

Repurposing a mold with rapid tooling in China can save up to 60% of the project's original cost. If you are wondering if the quality is something to be concerned with, do not worry, as long as you are working with a reputed company, you won't be having any issues. You are essentially using the same mold and the same materials. Keep in mind that recycling a mold is just a means of tweaking the work that was already done on it. Since you no longer need to create a mold from scratch, your production costs go down, and your profits go up.

It Leads to Lesser Waste

You need to deal with an undeniable truth: workshops do not like to waste resources on any project. They will always find ways to reuse their stock of molds, even more so if the mold's costs were too high. By repurposing your original project's mold, you will be getting an update of our product without leaving the window open to your competitors to take advantage of your specs. Your workshop will also bond with your company by crafting your exclusive designs without having to worry that you'll take your business someplace else.

Keep in mind that the principle behind shared molds is also backed by the workshop's experience and the technicians handling your design. The more they get to work with it and repurpose it to your needs, the more experience they will gain to avoid mistakes and make your products just the way you want them.