Good tooling is what separates a repeatable process from one that produces a different result every time. Tooling design covers the jigs, fixtures, moulds and forming tools that make manufacturing processes consistent and controllable. In a studio like ours, where we combine multiple processes on every build, tooling is designed and made in-house as a matter of course. A vacuum forming tool machined to the wrong geometry will produce poorly formed parts. A casting mould that is not properly vented will trap air and ruin the shot. A jig that holds a component at the wrong angle will cause every subsequent operation to compound the error. We design tooling for vacuum forming, vacuum casting, laminating, assembly and forming operations. The tool is designed around the process it serves and the material it will contact, with appropriate consideration for draft angles, parting lines, surface finish, thermal behaviour and expected service life.
What We Design and Make Vacuum forming tools in MDF, resin board and aluminium. Silicone casting moulds from CNC-machined or 3D-printed masters. Assembly jigs for repeatable positioning of components. Forming blocks and mandrels. Laminating and bonding fixtures. Each tool is designed in CAD before machining begins, which allows us to check geometry, draft angles and parting line placement before any material is cut. Tool Material Selection Tool material depends on expected run volume and the demands of the process. MDF tools are cost-effective for short vacuum forming runs. Resin board holds finer detail and handles more heat cycles. Aluminium tools are warranted for longer runs or where very fine surface detail must be reproduced consistently. We will always recommend the most economical option that meets the service requirements of your specific job.
