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Design Guidelines
CNC Milling Process

Protomold uses CNC milling to produce its molds; part designs will benefit from the consideration of the mold-milling process.

Radiused Corners
Rib Design

Radiused Corners

Because Protomold employs an automated CNC milling process to make the mold for your parts, some part corners will end up with a radius rather than a sharp edge.

This does not usually require a change to the model, but the designer is made aware of these radii before the mold is made.

A. Part model
B. Actual corner radius
C. Desired corner geometry
D. Tool 		Radiused Corners

Rib Design



Avoid deep & thin ribs if possible

Deep ribs require draft and clearance in order to allow the milling tool access. The max tool lengths average between 8-12 times the tool diameter.

Also worth noting is that deep, thin ribs tend to increase the mold milling time and make hand polishing difficult and time consuming.


CNC Milling Design Guidelines - Rib Design
Sometimes deep, thin ribs may result in potential collisions and/or geometry issues at the bottom of the mold cavities. Final part shape can be affected when this occurs.


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