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Custom Aluminum Injection Mold Process Questions

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Just wondering if any one here can describe the whole  process from idea to mold maker designer to finished mold.

I am new to plastic injection but very interest in seeing if it would be cost effective for my needs to have custom work done.

In general I  would like an overview of what to expect for   costs involved and time required etc.

Is a prototype required to make a mold?  Up front costs etc. Thanks

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It is very expensive to get custom work done. If you can find something already in production that fits your needs I would highly recommend that route. And at least that way if you don't like the mold you can reasonably recoup your money by selling it. But if you have to I'm sure Bob on this forum can help. He makes custom CNC molds and although I don't own any his work looks wonderful.

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The first step, having formed your idea, is to build a prototype. You have to prove that the bait swims as you see in your head, and that it actually catches fish.

 

Sometimes the idea is good, but if the thicknesses, sizes and all the rest are not exactly right, that baby aint going to swim. To find this fact out after the design and machining phase is going to be VERY expensive.

 

I suggest you whittle a master and mold it in RTV or some other mold material. Once you have a working lure. Send all the information to the machinist of your choice.

 

The next stage, is to get that information into the computer in the form of a CAD model. The machinist may be able to do this step, but if the shapes are complicated, he may prefer to contract out the design or instruct you to sort out the CAD.

 

The machinist will have more changes, as he is the expert on machining. There will likely be a test cut, to test the process and also an opportunity to test the venting, before the final mold plates are cut.

 

There is a lot of time involved in the development of an aluminium mold, which has to be paid for, unless you know someone in the industry who does BIG favors. The machines are not cheap and you will have to pay your share in the costs, materials, tools, electric, taxes and all the rest.

 

I am not trying to scare you off. Just trying to lighten the shock. There are plenty of people going through this process, producing ORIGINAL work, you are not alone. This is a bit different than buying a $40 mold from Ebay.

 

Dave

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If you have an original bait in your mind, you should at least take it to RTV or pop, for your own satisfaction. These molds will produce a very nice bait in the numbers that you require. If demand increases and you feel the need to go more professional at a later date then fine, or you can make more RTV molds from your master.

 

Dave

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Custom work can be done dirt cheap!

A $15 bag of plaster can make dozens of molds.... The biggest cost is your time, which is spent doing something you'll love!

Im sure its fun to buy molds and inject your own plastics.... But to me, its just making someone elses lures

If you have a new idea, chances are you have more..... You could have a whole tackle box full of your own creations for less than the cost of one custom aluminium mold

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Great feed back and very inspiring options.

I will look into making a  RTV mold and see what direction this creative energy takes me.

As usual the shared information and experience from the membership is invaluable and very much appreciated.

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Wow!  That was pretty commercial wasn't it?  

 

Sorry guys I try to keep the more blatantly commercial stuff to the advertisers forum.  I want to assure you when I was writing that I felt like I was just trying to answer the OPs query.  

Nah I reckon for the information you shared it was reasonable.

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