With Rapid Tooling it is not the complete item but the tool insert that is produced using 3D printing. However, the master mould is not made from steel. Instead, it is printed in a plastic carrier material, screwed to the master tool mould and fitted to the plastic-processing machine like a normal steel tool. Then the item is manufactured in the actual material. This results in a fully functional component within an extremely short time that can be manufactured more cost effectively since less material is required, for example, and the existing cooling is used.
Of course, a printed tool insert wears more quickly than a steel tool insert, but depending on the geometry of the item, and the material that is used, a few dozen or several hundred layers can be manufactured in this way. It must also be individually checked which geometry can be produced using the basic tools which are currently available. For bigger quantities during the testing and prototyping phase, Pöppelmann KAPSTO® also uses aluminium tools. These can be manufactured much faster and cheaper than steel tools, but can be sufficient for smaller series of several thousand items.