Prototyping

Development and Prototype Molds

3D Printing:

THPL printing: We select the appropriate process based on the customer's specifications and requirements. Alternatively, we offer LSR 3D printing using silicone material; however, this does not correspond to the original material.

Test Mold

Here, the components are manufactured using the injection molding process. The untreated cavity parts are approximately equivalent to production quality. The test parts are produced from full-scale cavities and are close to production quality. The prototyping process is semi-automated or, upon customer request, fully automated.

Express Mold

In this process, the components are manufactured using a manual cartridge casting method from a 3D-printed Thermoplast Express mold or a milled aluminum mold.

Pre-Production

Pre-production can accommodate all material combinations: For 1K systems, the number of cavities ranges from one to four, depending on the part size. For 2K systems, the number of cavities is configured as one plus one, or four plus four—again, depending on the part size. A modular system for different injection molding systems and mold concepts enables RICO to implement all 1K and 2K mold concepts and produce pre-series samples, each in a fully automated process.

Criterion	3D Printing	Express Mold	Test Mold	Pre-Production
Application	Demo Parts	Demo Parts	Test parts	Pre-production run
1K / 2K	1K	1K / 2K	1K / 2K	1K / 2K
Part Quality	3D printing, depending on the process	Not in tolerance	Close to production quality	Meet production-quality standards
Concept	3D Printing	Manual Cartridge Casting Process	Semi-automatic	The pre-production concept matches the production model
Material	No original material	Whenever possible, the original material is used	Original material	Original material
Quantity	Up to 10 pieces	Up to 10 pieces	Up to 1,000 pieces	Up to 100,000 units
Lead time	1–2 weeks	2 weeks	5–8 weeks	15–20 weeks