Amateur inventor looking for prototype mold advice

[DaveinDallas]

I just finished reading an excellent book ("Bringing your Product to Market" published by Don Debelak), which mentioned purchasing Hysol's mold-making plastic materials that will cure at room temperature to make prototype parts and molds. The book mentioned that you could make practically anything with plastic tooling materials, but I am having difficulty finding products since Hysol got bought out by Loctite. Of course when I look on ThomasRegister.com or google.com, there are zillions but more along the line of professional mold makers.

Does anyone have suggestions on books, suppliers, or resources that I could use to build a plastic molds and plastic prototypes in my garage? The part is less than 12" by 4". Any help would be greatly appreciated.

DaveinDallas

 

[patprimmer]

Possible plastics to make moulds are "Devcon" or Hydro epoxie putty, as used by plumbers to repair cast iron pipes.

If you can't find these, they might be sold under different names (at inflated prices) through automotive performance parts outlets, as filler for modifying or repairing inlet manifolds.

These materials need a steel bolster to back them up.

A more modern approach is to make models direct from cad images, by Steriolithography, or similar technique.

Any large and progressive toolmaker or industrial designer should be able to advise.

I know two such organisations in Australia. I can look up their details if required, but while such techniques make good prototypes, they will cost more than a home made mock up Regards
pat

 

[jplot]

Looks like you and I are looking for much the same thing. It sure can be tough doing research, even with the ever so handy computer. I would like to make a prototype hollow model rotor blade of some 24 inches in length.

 

[ir12]

I suggest for a cheap prototype go to

http://www.devcon.com

and request a cataloge or call one of their technical specialist to assist you in your selection. I have had excellent success with their product,yes in the garage. You should be able to get results with out spending a lot of money. You don't say what the market application is for i.e. medical, automotive, aerospace, etc. Often, major raw material suppliers have labs, they can be a resource to to make a part and identify materials. If you have some money to invest in tooling, it may help to research prototype molders,pattern and model shops in your area. Hope this helps.

 

[TomH]

One common method of prototyping a part or product is to build a full-scale model of it in carved foam, wood, molded clay, or plaster. Pick your poison. One of the cheapest methods is to rough out the shape in blocks of white styrofoam and then cover that with drywall finishing plaster, which can be sanded to the final contours. This fragile model is then used to build an actual part.

Two sites I have found to be helpful are:

http://www.eagerplastics.com

http://www.fibreglast.com/infocenter.php

Also, check out model airplane and experimental aircraft building sites for info about building a "plug", covering it with glass/kevlar/carbon fibers and epoxy or polyester resin, depending on whether you want to make a part directly from the plug or make a part from an intermediate, female mold taken off the plug.

 

[moldguy]

My favorite guys to talk with about this stuff are the folks at BJB Enterprises (

http://www.bjbenterprises.com/).

From nearly optically clear urethanes to filled epoxies, they’re great about talking you through the possibly solutions and heading you in the right direction. They have dealers throughout the US.

Good luck,

Mike Milano
D8, Inc.
1293 E. Freeze Road
Potlatch, ID USA 83855
Phone (208) 875-1221 ext. 244
Fax (208) 875-1225
mike_milano@d8.com

http://www.d8.com

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