3D printing of molds & forming tools
Molding & forming tools
Why 3D print molds and forming tools?
Molds, patterns and forming dies are usually machined from metal. That takes weeks and costs a lot, especially for low volumes or designs that still change.
3D printing makes the tool straight from CAD. You test more designs, run short batches before hard tooling and keep your tooling digital. Complex shapes cost no extra.
Molding & forming applications
Each application below comes with key benefits from the Stratasys Application Guide and, where available, a real customer case.
Rapid tooling
Print injection mold inserts the same day and run short batches before you commit to hard tooling.
Key benefits
- Mold inserts the same day
- No cost for complexity
- Rapid design iterations
Composite layup tools
Light layup tools, molds and breakout mandrels in ULTEM 1010 resin, in hours or days instead of weeks or months.
Key benefits
- 75% shorter lead time
- 90% cost reduction
- About 40 hours production time
Soluble cores & mandrels
Lay up composite parts around a printed core, cure, then dissolve the core. Ideal for hollow, complex parts.
Key benefits
- Consistent carbon-fiber tubes and ducts
- Replaces two-piece molds and sand cores
- Excellent finish and strength
Sand casting patterns
Printed patterns and core boxes cut tooling lead time and cost, and allow shapes that wood or metal patterns cannot.
Key benefits
- More than 900 molds from one pattern
- 76% shorter lead time
- 50–90% lower cost
Investment casting
Stereolithography patterns replace wax-injection tooling and support clean burnout with low ash.
Key benefits
- More than 80% shorter lead time
- Up to 88% lower cost
- Under 48 hours production time
EPS/EPP molding
Printed foam mold tools lower upfront cost and lead time for low-volume EPS and EPP foam parts.
Key benefits
- 30% shorter cycle time
- 65% less steam energy
- Under 40 hours production time
Sheet metal forming
Printed dies in Nylon 12CF or ULTEM resin withstand rubber pad press and hydroforming for hundreds of cycles.
Key benefits
- 87% time saving
- 80% cost saving
- About 6 hours production time
Press brake tools
Nylon-CF10 dies and punches for thin-gauge sheet metal, for fit-and-function tests and runs of up to 500–1,000 pieces.
Key benefits
- 90% shorter lead time
- 80% lower cost
- About 4 hours production time
Thermoforming
Printed thermoforming tools in ASA, PC or ULTEM materials take you from design to production in days.
Key benefits
- More than 60% shorter lead time
- More than 50% lower cost
- Under 24 hours production time
Master patterns
Printed master patterns for silicone or polyurethane tooling make small batches of 10 to 100 parts affordable.
Key benefits
- 70% shorter lead time
- 60% lower cost
- About 8 hours production time
Blow molding
Printed blow-mold inserts for functional prototypes and pilot runs, before you commit to hard tooling.
Key benefits
- 85–95% shorter lead time
- More than 75% lower cost
- Under 24 hours production time
3D printers for molds and forming tools
FDM technology
Strong thermoplastics such as Nylon 12CF, ASA and ULTEM resin for layup tools, forming dies, soluble cores and sand casting.
DLP technology
High-detail mold inserts for rapid tooling, with a surface finish close to that of injection molding.
PolyJet technology
Smooth, detailed molds and master patterns, for example for blow molding and silicone molding.
Stereolithography
Accurate master patterns with smooth surfaces, suited for example to investment casting applications.
Get started!
Let us see together which technology suits your needs.
Our specialists will advise you on the right printer, technology and material - or print a sample of your custom part.
Over 20 years of experience
Experience, expertise, and customer satisfaction are the cornerstones of our company.
Authorized distributor
Your AM partner in the Benelux, France, and the Nordics, with service operations and local offices in each region.
Go for the best deal
We offer a range of financing options to suit every use case, including renting, leasing, and trade-in solutions.
