Application: Remote electronic locking system Competing Technology – Plastic (MIM was desired by customer marketing for higher strength at higher temperatures) Material – MIM 316L, part weight 0.8 grams

Straightforward design, no features created by slides. Customer desired low cost prototype, how to do it?

For prototyping, create a square pocket in an existing mold base to fit a hand-load insert for prototyping. Tooling approach suitable for low-volume usage only.

Part features as they will be tooled in production can be created in the blocks. Non-traditional materials (low carbon steel, brass, aluminum) are all possible tool materials since only low volumes will be produced.

Gate run to the center of the block, then dropped to customer requested location. No ejectors make tooling simpler.

Part is easily accessible after separating the cavity halves, making for easy part removal.

Prototyping approach a success – Leadtime to tooling was short & relatively inexpensive – The prototypes were created almost exactly the same way the production parts will be produced – Parts passed testing with no issues