My favorite guys to talk with about this stuff are the folks at BJB Enterprises (http://www.bjbenterprises.com/). From nearly optically clear urethanes to filled epoxies, they’re great about talking you through the possibly solutions and heading you in the right direction. They have dealers...
I would call on Carl Cranke at Dependable Pattern Works in Portland, OR. These guys have been at it a long time and have some solutions for lower cost prototype tooling if that fits the need. Here’s the contact info…
Carl Cranke
Dependable Pattern Works
737 SE Market Street
Portland, OR...
That’s a tough one. It seems the place where innovative design really happens is at our molders. They how what they like, what works for their materials, equipment, etc. I’ve found from our work proofing ideas here and design development with the molders, allow us to take design way beyond...
Dittos on the above.
Our shop utilizes SolidWorks for all our injection mold design. We’ve archived a library of components that we can plug into the 3D design and found it a great tool to get a “real” look at all the related geometry before we cut metal.
The right CAD choice for you...now...
Dmitchell is on the right track.... Check in with a local pattern/modeling supply house in your area and ask about optically clear urethanes. You can pull a quickie mold from the part in rubber...one piece if you’re tricky...and pour the shape you want. The hard part with this material is...
