Custom Silicone & Rubber Rapid Prototyping
We produce silicone and rubber prototypes using CNC-milled soft tooling, with a DFM review completed before a single cut is made. Send us your STEP or CAD file and we confirm material, tooling method, and geometry fit within 24 hours. If your design is not ready yet, our design and engineering team can take it from sketch to mold-ready file.
- CNC soft tooling + 3D print molds, in-house
- Tolerances to ±0.2, Shore A 10 to 80
- Same mold runs prototype and small batch production
- ISO 9001 certified, DFM review within 24 hours
Tooling Options: What We Use and Why
Most prototyping problems start with the wrong tooling choice. For each project we recommend the tooling method based on where you are in your development cycle, concept validation, functional testing, or pre-production confirmation.
3D Printed Molds
Work for very early concept checks, form, fit, and basic geometry. Material options are limited, and dimensional accuracy is lower. We use this when a buyer needs to confirm a shape before committing to any tooling spend.
Aluminum Soft Tooling
Machines quickly and costs roughly the same as stainless. The tradeoff: aluminum is more prone to damage under repeated clamping pressure, and there is limited room to modify cavity dimensions after first shots. If the design is still changing, this can become expensive.
Stainless Steel Soft Tooling
Our recommended starting point for most projects. It holds dimensions through multiple design iterations, tolerates the clamping forces in compression and overmolding, and gives us room to adjust cad if the first prototype needs changes. The mold you prototype with can run into early production without retooling.
The Prototyping Process
From your first file submission to physical prototype, here is exactly what happens.
1. Submit Your Design
Send your CAD or PDF file through the contact form. If you have a sketch but no CAD file, we can work from that too. If NDA required please mention.
- STEP, IGES, DWG formats accepted
- PDF drawings with dimensions
- Sketch or concept, we can develop from that
2. DFM Review Within 24 Hours
Before we quote or cut anything, we review your design for manufacturability. Any problems are flagged in writing before any payment is made. Material grade, silicone or rubber is confirmed based on your application. See our material sourcing and traceability page for grades and certifications.
- Wall thickness and draft angle check
- Parting line and mold release review
- Silicone or rubber grade confirmed
- Compliance and safety requirements verified
3. Quote and Tooling Confirmation
You receive a detailed quote covering tooling cost, prototype quantity, and timeline. Mold material and molding process confirmed before proceeding.
- Tooling cost and prototype quantity
- Mold material: 3D print, aluminum, or stainless
- Molding process confirmed
4. Mold Production and Delivery
We machine the mold in-house using CNC equipment. First prototype parts are run, dimensionally checked against your file, and shipped with documentation.
- In-house CNC mold machining
- Dimensional check against your file
- Samples shipped with full documentation
Functional Validation: What We Can Prototype
Standard Compression-Molded Prototypes
GASKETS · SEALS · ENCLOSURES · BUTTONS · BUMPERS
The mold is CNC-milled first. Prototypes are then made through compression molding. Dimensional tolerances hold to ±0.2 mm. Parts are production-representative in material and geometry.
Example
Custom silicone case for a cookware robot. Approved 3D file → CNC-milled stainless mold → compression-molded prototype. First prototype confirmed fit and wall thickness before production tooling was ordered.
Overmolded Prototypes
METAL · PLASTIC · ELECTRONICS
We prototype silicone overmolded onto metal, plastic, and electronics substrates. Material compatibility and bond line geometry are checked before tooling starts. Mechanical retention features are built into the mold to strengthen the bond.
Example
Silicone overmold bungs onto stainless steel 304 inserts for biotech lab equipment, and protective bumpers onto plastic clips for vibration damping and edge sealing.
Color and Surface Finish Prototypes
COATING · LASER ENGRAVING · FULL VISUAL FINISH
An uncoated clear prototype is produced first to confirm geometry and function. Once approved, color coating is applied. Laser engraving is added as the final step.
Example
Silicone case for a helmet intercom. Clear prototype approved first. Color coat applied second. Laser engraving removed the outer color layer to expose white base material: allowing LED light to show through the engraved design.
What Happens After Sign-Off
You own the prototype mold. It stays at our facility for production runs, shipping is available if specified. The same stainless tool runs your first production quantities immediately. No retooling, no redrawing, no new DFM. When volume increases and cost per part needs to come down, a new multi-cavity tool is made from the approved geometry.
This removes a common risk: the gap between prototype approval and production where dimensions shift. Our production parts match your prototypes because they come from the same tool and the same reviewed geometry.
Why Dabojin for Prototyping
We have produced custom silicone and rubber parts since 2005. ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001 certified. Every prototype ships with dimensional documentation. CNC machining is done in-house, we do not use brokers or outsource mold production.
For buyers working with a Chinese manufacturer for the first time: every project comes with written DFM feedback, documented material certification, and dimensional reports on every batch. You have a paper trail from file submission to delivery.
Before You Send a File
What files do you need to start a prototype?
STEP, IGES, and DWG formats are all accepted. PDF drawings with key dimensions also work. If you have a concept sketch but no CAD file, contact us, we can help develop the design before DFM starts.
What is the difference between a 3D printed mold, aluminum tooling, and stainless tooling?
3D printed molds are for very early concept checks: form, fit, and basic geometry only. Material options are limited and dimensional accuracy is lower. Aluminum soft tooling machines quickly at similar cost to stainless, but is more prone to damage under repeated clamping and offers limited room to modify cad dimensions after first shots. Stainless steel tooling is our recommended starting point. It holds dimensions across multiple design iterations, tolerates compression molding forces, and the same tool runs your first production quantities without retooling.
What tolerances do you hold on prototypes?
±0.2 on CNC-milled soft tooling with compression molding. 3D-printed molds hold looser tolerances and are suited for early concept checks only.
Can you prototype rubber parts, not just silicone?
Yes. We prototype in both silicone and rubber. Material grade is confirmed during the DFM review based on your application environment and compliance requirements.
Do I own the mold after prototyping?
Yes. Mold ownership transfers to you at project sign-off. The tool stays at our facility for production runs, shipping is available if specified, but most customers keep it here to avoid cost and transit risk. Full documentation is provided regardless.
What happens when my volume increases?
The same stainless prototype tool runs your first production quantities immediately. When volume increases and cost per part needs to come down, a new multi-cavity tool is made from the approved geometry. No redrawing, no new DFM.
Do you have an MOQ, and what drives the price?
No MOQ. Order one piece for a prototype or a million for a production program. We support startups testing the market, R&D teams iterating on a design, and OEMs running long production. Five factors drive the price on any project: part geometry and mold complexity, tolerance class, material grade, secondary operations (post-curing, printing, assembly, adhesive backing), and certifications. Most quotes return within 24 hours once the DFM passes.
Will you sign an NDA before I share files?
Yes. Either send your NDA or use ours. We don't run a parts catalog, sell competing products, or reuse client designs. Files are handled with restricted internal access and kept only as long as the project requires.
What is the lead time for a prototype?
Aluminum soft tooling: 10 to 15 days for the mold, 1 to 3 days for first samples. Stainless tooling: 10 to 20 days for the mold, 1 to 3 days for sampling, then production scales with quantity. Shipping adds 3 to 5 days by air or 25 to 35 days by sea.
What happens if a batch fails inspection?
Send photos and dimensional data within 30 days of receipt. We review batch records, reproduce the issue in-house where possible, and replace defective units on the next run at no charge. Replacement shipping is on us. Root cause is documented in a written corrective action report.
Related Manufacturing Services
Explore our other manufacturing methods, design support, and material sourcing.