Production tools and molds
3D printing is the best technology to create special tools, molds and templates to optimize production. An exquisite opportunity to up production, improve quality and make life for operators a lot easier.
Speed up your process?
At your demand.
Your company is Lean, 5S and Six Sigma. You get the importance of these tools for your production process. Can’t really get on without them. We get it! That’s why we make your tools as fast and lean as you produce. Did you know that we don’t only 3D print, but compile, rework and assemble as well?
Super fast!
The engineering?
We know how.
You used to make tooling by turning or milling parts. But with 3D printing you can do more for less. You only have to know how. Good for you, Parts On Demand has a team of engineers to help you make your designs better, smarter and more efficient. Or just take all the work off your hands.
That’s us!
Quality.
Is there any other way?
So you’re wondering if 3D printing is strong enough to be used in a production environment? That’s a big YES from us. Large – and small – production companies rely on Parts On Demand for their cutting-edge tooling.
You may find that there is 3D printing and 3D printing.
We know the difference.
Why SLS for production tools?
Lead time: days instead of weeks
Traditional tooling via CNC or injection moulding takes 4 to 8 weeks of lead time, including programming, set-up and finishing. SLS-printed production tools are ready from 5 working days. No moulds, no set-up costs, no minimum order. At Parts on Demand, 11 industrial SLS machines (including 3x EOS P500 dual-laser) run continuously, so urgent orders can ship within 48 hours.
Geometric freedom for functional tooling
SLS builds layer by layer without support structures. That makes internal channels, organic shapes and consolidated assemblies possible that are unachievable with milling. A gripper made of 7 CNC-machined aluminium parts can be printed as a single SLS part: lighter, cheaper, faster to assemble. Our engineering team optimises every design for its specific load case and production environment (DfAM).
Material per application
PA12 (PA2200) for general jigs and fixtures: 48 MPa tensile strength, resistant to oils and chemicals. Carbon LW (PA640GSL) for end-of-arm tooling where weight matters: 40% lighter than aluminium at comparable stiffness. PA802CF for metal-replacement molds: carbon-fibre reinforced, thermally stable up to 180 °C. All materials produced on our 7x EOS P396 and 3x EOS P500 production lines.
From prototype to 100+ parts without tooling cost
With traditional methods you pay again for every mould change. With SLS, every iteration is digital: edit in CAD, upload, test the next day. From 1 prototype to 500 identical production tools without extra tooling cost. Customers in automotive and machinery use this to get new production lines operational weeks earlier.
What customers say
“Because we design fully custom solutions, 3D printing technology is ideal. Virtually no limitations compared to turning and milling.”
PWR · Robotics
Read the story →“Making the impossible possible. Complex geometries that are not achievable with traditional techniques, printed in series.”
Engineering
Read the story →Frequently asked questions about production tools and molds
Which production tools can be printed with SLS?
Molds, jigs, fixtures, grippers, assembly aids and quality-control gauges. Any tool currently made via CNC or injection moulding is a candidate for SLS when the geometry is complex or the series is limited.
How quickly can I receive a new production tool?
Standard from 5 working days. Because SLS requires no moulds or tooling, the multi-week lead time of traditional methods disappears. Design changes can be applied directly without additional tooling cost.
Which material is best for production tools?
PA12 for general applications, Carbon LW (PA640GSL) for lightweight grippers and end-of-arm tooling, and PA802CF for maximum stiffness when replacing metal. Our engineering team advises based on load case and environment.
Are 3D-printed tools strong enough for production environments?
Yes. SLS parts in PA12 have a tensile strength of 48 MPa and are used daily in production environments at customers in automotive, food, pharma and machinery. Mechanical properties are consistent from batch to batch.
Can you redesign existing metal tools for 3D printing?
Yes, that is exactly where our co-engineering team adds value. We analyse the existing design, optimise for SLS (weight reduction, function improvement) and deliver a part that often performs better than the original.
Ready to 3D print your production tools?
Upload your file for a quote within 24 hours, or discuss your tooling case directly with an engineer.