Techno Labo – Providing the world's most affordable quick plastic molds
Steel “production molds” are durable but require very high initial costs, making them suitable for large-scale manufacturing. For small-lot production, this cost becomes a barrier. Techno-Labo provides aluminum “prototype molds” as a cost-effective solution for low-volume production.
Prototype molds are suitable for cases such as: - Producing small batches for evaluation before mass production. - When the lifetime production volume is under 2,000 units. - When you want multiple product shapes in small lots instead of one type in tens of thousands. They provide significant cost benefits compared to steel production molds.
A detachable cassette mold is mounted into a standard mold base. This compact design simplifies manufacturing, replacement, and storage, while sharing mold bases lowers costs by nearly half. However, product size is limited to the mold base capacity.
Aluminum alloy bases are easy to machine, resulting in shorter lead times and easier handling. However, aluminum molds have shorter lifespans, fewer shots, and are more prone to scratches compared with steel molds.
・Clear pricing system for prototype molds, ideal for small-lot production. ・Pricing based on the size of the desired product. ・Especially advantageous for larger products — lowers overall costs. ・Two grades available depending on the precision required.
See Details: Pricing / Delivery- Because we have extensive know-how in producing low-cost prototype molds. - We also utilize overseas manufacturers effectively. - Mold sales are not our main business, so we don’t rely on profit from molds alone. - We handle far more projects than most competitors, so we work on small margins. - We want to be the kind of partner that supports your business growth, so that future work will come back to us!
- Depending on usage and environment, the accuracy is more than sufficient. Please see examples for reference. - Not suitable for highly precise mechanical parts requiring multiple tight tolerances. - Mainly intended for cases and housings, with proven track records.
- Mostly small-to-medium businesses and individuals. - Many inquiries from startups using crowdfunding. - Many clients are electronics development companies. - Common fields: wireless devices, automation equipment, medical and welfare devices. - Many clients come to us without finished drawings. - Recently, requests for IoT devices have increased significantly.
Because they are designed to produce “high-quality products in large quantities.” Production molds are built for 100,000 to 1,000,000+ units, requiring high-grade materials, precision, and skilled engineers using expensive equipment. They are like high-end sushi made by master chefs — extremely high quality but costly. Our prototype molds are more like casual yet delicious sushi — affordable, accessible, and practical for small-lot runs.
Please review the following notes regarding technical specifications, transaction conditions, and rights. If any clauses are unacceptable, please inform us in advance. Otherwise, we will proceed under the assumption that you agree.
Durability and Maintenance
Molds require maintenance (charged) every 500 shots. Costs depend on product shape and resin material. With regular maintenance, molds can be used semi-permanently. Long-term unused molds will incur storage fees.
Finish Level
Surface finish is equivalent to ▽▽–▽▽▽. Texturing is not available, but blast finishing is possible (additional cost). Flow marks, welds, and sinks are acceptable within normal industrial equipment enclosure standards.
Usable Materials
General-purpose resins are available. Filled resins cannot be used. Some engineering plastics are possible, but not super-engineering plastics. PVC and thermosets are not supported.
Color Matching & Special Materials
Custom color matching per product is available (extra cost, longer lead time). Special materials like elastomers can also be used. Please note that colors may differ slightly from instructions due to subjective perception.
Quality Standards
We apply our internal standards for quality judgment. If you have specific standards, please inform us beforehand. Due to mold characteristics, we may not always meet third-party standards. Factory audits are not available.
Storage & Ownership
Molds are stored for 2 years from completion. After that, they may be discarded under our management unless storage is specifically requested (annual storage fees apply). Prototype molds remain Techno-Labo’s intellectual property; clients are granted usage rights, not ownership.
Payment Terms
Payment for prototype molds is required upfront before production begins, regardless of company size. Product manufacturing may follow client payment schedules, but initial orders may require cash transactions.