Case Study: Built-Rite Tool & Die achieves 90% quick-turn mold cost savings with Proto3000's Studio System metal 3D printing

Injection molding firm slashes quick-turn mold costs by 90% with metal 3D printing and the Desktop Metal Studio 3D Printer

Built-Rite Tool & Die, a Massachusetts mold‑making and design firm specializing in precision injection‑molding tools, was squeezed by low‑cost overseas competition and rapid domestic prototyping turnaround times. To shorten lead times and enable fast iterations on quick‑turn mold components, Built‑Rite worked with Proto3000 to deploy the Desktop Metal Studio 3D Printer (Studio System™) for in‑house metal 3D printing.

Using Proto3000’s Studio System solution and Bound Metal Deposition with AISI 4140 and closed‑cell infill, Built‑Rite printed, post‑machined (surface grinding and EDM), and validated mold inserts that performed through ~100 cycles with no wear. The switch cut quick‑turn mold costs by 90% (cost per part $47 vs $493), reduced lead time by ~30%, and trimmed part weight by 41%, enabling faster, lower‑cost iteration without relying on third‑party prototyping.

Built-Rite Tool & Die