The Albright Tool

The rapid prototype tool developed by Albright Technologies Inc. can provide anywhere from several dozen to several thousand plastic injection molded prototype parts, for a variety of designs. This new approach is unlike other prototyping method:

1. Faster build-time than conventional aluminum rapid tooling
2. Provides plastic injection molded resin products, unlike urethane casting or machined plastic
3. Provides exceptional surface reproduction of master

The Benefits

For many plastic part designs, this patent pending approach for rapid tooling fabrication offers the FASTEST turnaround time for turning models into rapid prototype plastic injection molded parts. By reducing the time required to build numerous, functional rapid prototypes in desired commercial plastic resins, this technology offers designers of OEM products:

1. Reduction in the Design-to-Market product cycle
2. The ability to debug designs prior to production
3. The ability to test product functionality of products in desired resins
4. The ability to test market prototypes

The Process

The Albright rapid tooling process begins with a computer generated rapid prototype model, such as SLA, which is built with the desired surface finish and dimensional compensation for molded resin shrinkage.

Aluminum mold cavities are then rough machined, to a high tolerance contour of the model, leaving a standoff distance for our specially treated rubber casting material to finish the geometry.

By altering the proportion and complexity of machining and casting, a wide range of surface finish and dimensional specifications may be achieved. No hand finishing is required, and dimensions of tight tolerance can be treated by the incorporation of individual metal inserts.

This utilization of composite materials and processing, rather than the traditional pure machining or casting, can SLASH WEEKS OFF YOUR VALUABLE PLASTIC PARTS LEAD-TIME. For many part designs, typical turnaround from model to molded parts is 1-2 WEEKS.

Albright Technologies, Inc, 92 Albright Road, Sterling, MA 01564. Tel: 978-422-8051; Fax: 978-422-8058.