KH-TAT Prototype Tooling Services

Our prototype tooling services help bridge the gap between initial prototypes and final production parts. KH-TAT's injection molding services cover multiple technologies, materials, and surface finish options, ensuring you receive the same high-quality parts as full production. Prototype tooling pricing includes tariffs to simplify procurement.
Project managers and engineers work closely together to understand your project's unique needs, helping you make informed decisions for the lowest cost and shortest lead times. Simply upload your 3D CAD file to the KH-TAT instant quote engine — most projects qualify for auto-quoting, allowing you to budget and plan without waiting. When ready, submit a review request and our team will work closely with you at every step

Why Start with Injection Molding Prototypes?

Why Start with Injection Molding Prototypes?
Deciding whether to begin with prototype tooling or go straight to production tooling can be challenging. KH-TAT understands every project is unique, and our experts will work with you to make the right decision. Prototype tooling is best for:

  • Low-cost tooling: Affordable materials and simple mold design, optimized for low-volume production.
  • Fast delivery: Receive parts in as fast as 5 business days!
  • Limited runs: Ideal for projects requiring small quantities of high-quality parts.
  • Break-even cost: Per-unit cost is comparable to or lower than other rapid prototyping processes like 3D printing.
  • Product validation: Gain confidence in your design before investing in expensive production-grade tooling.
Why Start with Injection Molding Prototypes?

Prototype Injection Molding Considerations

When considering Prototype Tooling, the following key aspects require attention. The table below helps determine if a project is suitable for Prototype Tooling, or if bridge tooling or Production Tooling services are needed.

Topic        Considerations
Tool Life    Prototype Tooling is made from softer materials and wears faster.
Mold Texture & Polishing  Prototype Tooling surface finish wears quickly with low cost-effectiveness. Grade B to D SPI Surface Finish is recommended.
Gate Type     Gate design may be limited to edge gating, direct gating and fan gating. Bridge or Production Tooling supports more advanced gating methods.
Mold Grade  

Grade 105 and 104 molds are most commonly used for prototyping. Higher grade molds are suitable for high-volume production services.

Material Selection   All injection molding materials can be used with Prototype Tooling. Abrasive materials (such as glass fiber reinforced materials) may shorten tool life.
Mold Origin    KH-TAT offers domestic and international mold manufacturing options. Regardless of where the mold is produced, ownership belongs to the customer
Ready to start a molding project?

Ready to start a molding project?

Why Choose Kh-tat for Prototype Tooling?

Unlimited Options

Unlimited Options

Choose from millions of combinations of materials, surface finishes, tolerance levels, marking methods, and certifications to flexibly match your order requirements for truly customized manufacturing.

Easy to Use

Easy to Use

No need to handle procurement, project management, logistics, or shipping yourself — we handle everything, parts arrive directly at your door, letting you focus on your core business.

Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance

KH-TAT is Certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, IATF 16949:2016, and AS9100D, ensuring every part meets strict industry standards and quality requirements.

Instant Pricing & Lead Time Estimation

Simplify your budgeting and procurement with the KH-TAT instant quote engine. Upload a 3D CAD file to receive an auto-quote estimate including price and lead time — plan your project without waiting for a manual quote. This powerful tool provides the information upfront, saving you valuable time. When you're ready to proceed, our expert team will conduct a full review, confirm and finalize the quote, and provide consulting support to ensure smooth project execution.

Instant Pricing & Lead Time Estimation

Injection Molding FAQ

Injection molding is widely used in aerospace, medical devices, consumer products, energy, electronics, automotive, robotics, toys and many other industries.

3D printing is an excellent rapid prototyping process! However, injection molding prototypes achieve a richer range of materials, surface finishes and texture options that other processes cannot match. Injection molding prototypes also pave the way for future high-volume production — designs can be iterated repeatedly to match volume production processes. Many customers start with 3D printing for prototyping and transition to injection molding when scaling up.

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPI) has established mold classification standards that define mold types based on tool material, design, features and production volume. Mold grades range from Class 101 (most advanced, highest production) to Class 105 (prototyping applications), simplifying mold type selection for thermoplastic injection molding based on production needs. Mold grades are for reference only.

MUD (Master Unit Die) is a mold using a standard injection frame, where inserts define internal cavity geometry and determine final part geometry. Considered a quick-change system similar to replacing disposable razor blades. This mold helps reduce costs and lead times, as most machining is focused on cores and cavities rather than other aspects of complex mold setup. MUD molds are typically used for prototyping applications.

KH-TAT typically delivers injection mold prototype components within 3 weeks. Depending on specific project requirements, delivery can be completed in as fast as 5 business days!

All our common injection molding materials can be used for prototyping!

Yes, multiple colors can be used even in the same order! However, when multiple colors are used in one order, an additional color change fee will apply.

After receiving the order, manufacturing engineers review the work instructions, then assign a project manager, identify suitable manufacturing suppliers, and prepare a comprehensive DFM/PEG report for approval. Mold manufacturing begins after approval, T1 samples are produced and sent for review. After T1 sample approval, full production of remaining parts begins.

Prices shown on the KH-TAT website for internationally produced prototypes (i.e., original parts or models for non-commercial use only) shipped to the United States include duties.

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