Selecting the right tooling board

Selecting the right tooling board for an application is about more than just personal preference or always using the same product. Choosing the right material ensures the best possible finish of the final part and optimal production efficiency.

key Considerations

A crucial aspect to consider when selecting the right material is the physical properties:

Density - the higher the density the more robust the board, meaning finer details are machined easily. Lower-density tooling boards are ideal for creating models and prototypes as they are easy to shape.

Temperature and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) - The lower the CTE, the less the tooling board will expand as temperatures increase. Choosing a material with low CTE ensures precision and consistency in the mould.

Dimensional stability – Tooling boards with excellent dimensional stability reduce the risk of expansion or shrinkage and maintain their original shape throughout manufacturing and subsequent use.

Surface finish – the tool's surface finish directly impacts the look of the final part. Materials that boast a great surface finish remove the risk of defects and improve the overall durability of the tool.

Benefits of using high-quality tooling boards

High-quality tooling boards provide a range of benefits that make them a reliable choice for manufacturing models, moulds, patterns, fixtures, gauges, and metal forming tools.

Precision and Dimensional Accuracy – Consistent material properties help to ensure that every detail you machine is transferred to the final part. A high-quality tooling board keeps tolerances tight and helps reduce errors during manufacturing.

Superior Surface Finish – Premium tooling boards are engineered for fine surface quality, minimising the need for extensive post-processing. This leads to smoother moulds and patterns, ultimately resulting in better-looking, more durable finished components.

Outstanding Machinability – Our tooling boards are formulated for ease of use, whether you are working by hand or using CNC machinery. The uniform composition reduces tool wear, dust generation, and machining times, leading to a more efficient workflow.

Durability and Longevity – High-performance tooling boards withstand repeated use, helping maintain the structural integrity of your tools and prolonging service life.

Cost-Effective Production – Reliable material quality and minimised waste translate into cost savings. Reduced rework, fewer failed parts, and extended tool life all contribute to economical manufacturing, helping you get the best return on investment.

FIND THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR YOUR APPLICATION WITH OUR INTERACTIVE SELECTOR TOOL

Product Selector TOol

Your Application

Tooling board selection depends on your application.

Epoxy is the material of choice for advanced composite applications where low CTE, dimensional stability and excellent surface finish are essential.

Polyurethane offers a cost-effective alternative for design, styling and prototyping projects, vacuum forming, thermoforming, and manufacturing jigs and fixtures. High-density materials offer a solution for hammer and metal forming, foundry patterns and Reactive Injection Moulding (RIM).

Our simplified tooling board process makes it easy to understand how tooling boards are used.

BE978 tooling board being machined on a CNC machine showing detail achieved

Epoxy Tooling Board

Superior dimensional stability
Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
Excellent surface finish
Suitable for direct-to-part manufacturing
Material of choice for high-temperature applications up to +190 ^OC
Inert material that is chemically compatible

These boards deliver reliable dimensional accuracy and fine surface quality, making them ideal for situations where durability and a high-quality finish are non-negotiable.

Epoxy tooling boards are often the go-to for demanding environments where thermal stability and surface precision are critical. They can be used confidently in settings that require robust, reliable performance, making them a staple in aerospace, automotive, and industrial design.

EPOXY TOOLING BOARDS

Polyurethane Tooling Board

Lightweight and versatile
Cost-effective alternative for design, styling and modelling applications
Easy to work with
Can be hand styled and CNC machined
Excess material flakes rather than dusts
Wide range of densities available

Polyurethane's consistently good processing and machining properties ensure efficient model and mould production without sacrificing quality.

Polyurethane tooling boards are a mainstay in model shops and studios for good reason: they’re compatible with a wide spectrum of creative and technical projects. Whether you’re roughing out automotive styling models, prepping architectural prototypes, or crafting display pieces, these boards offer flexibility and ease of use.

POLYURETHANE TOOLING BOARDS

TOOLING BOARD FAQ

What is tooling board and how is it used in manufacturing?

A tooling board (or modelling board) is a machinable block of material that can be bonded together to create larger blocks and CNC machined or hand-styled.

Widely used in manufacturing and engineering processes tooling boards are engineered to support the creation of highly accurate prototypes, patterns and mould tools for composite parts and custom components. Available in epoxy and polyurethane materials, our range includes a wide range of densities, colours and sizes.

Which industries typically use tooling boards?

How do I choose the right tooling board for my project?

When choosing the right tooling board for your project, you need to consider the physical properties you need. Density, temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), dimensional stability and surface finish all have a significant impact on the finished result.

Still unsure what you need? Try out our product selector tool to help match you with the right tooling board material for your project requirements, or get in touch with our team for further support.

What are the benefits of using high-quality tooling boards?

Using high-quality tooling boards provides a range of benefits, including:

Precision – High-quality tooling boards are known for their consistent and reliable performance, ensuring high-accuracy results every time with minimal errors during the manufacturing process.
Superior surface finish – A fine surface quality cuts down on the need for extensive post-processing. This results in smoother moulds and patterns, and provides better-looking, more durable finished components.
Machinability – High-quality tooling boards are specially formulated for easy cutting, shaping, and finishing, whether you are working by hand or using CNC machinery. This reduces wear on tools and expedites machining times, increasing the overall efficiency of your manufacturing process.

Durability – A high-quality tooling board can create moulds with high repeatability, prolonging service life and reducing the frequency of purchases for replacements.

Are there any tooling boards currently available for immediate purchase, and if so, what are their prices and stock status?

What are your tooling boards used for?

Our tooling boards can be used for a wide variety of different applications, from creating patterns and moulds to model making, prototyping, and direct-to-part manufacturing.

Epoxy is the material of choice for advanced composite tooling where low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), dimensional stability, and excellent surface finish are essential. Their reliable dimensional stability and fine surface quality make them ideal for situations where durability, precision, and a high-quality finish are non-negotiable.

Polyurethane (PU) is ideal for design, styling and prototyping projects. It can also be used for vacuum-forming and thermoforming, as well as jigs and fixtures. The versatility of PU tooling board makes it a cost-effective alternative solution for efficient modelling and mould production, without compromising on quality.

Our high-density tooling board materials can be used for specialist applications such as hammer-forming, metal-forming, foundry patterns, and Reactive Injection Moulding (RIM).

How do your tooling boards contribute to improved production outcomes?

What types of products are commonly produced using tooling boards?

What key material properties are important for tooling boards?

How do I get pricing and availability information for bespoke tooling boards?

Can I order bespoke tooling boards online?

What types of tooling board materials are commonly available?

The most commonly available types of tooling board materials are epoxy and polyurethane (PU) tooling boards.

Epoxy Tooling Board

Superior dimensional stability
Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
Maintains tolerances at elevated temperatures up to +190 °C
Excellent surface finish
Suitable for direct-to-part manufacturing
Inert material that is chemically compatible

Epoxy tooling boards are durable and resilient, making them the preferred material choice for high-temperature applications where dimensional stability is essential. They are easy to machine and produce consistent, accurate results, which is ideal for high-precision tooling and prototyping.

Polyurethane (PU) Tooling Board

Lightweight and versatile
Cost-effective alternative for design, styling and modelling applications
Easy to work with
Can be hand styled and CNC machined
Excess material flakes rather than dusts
Wide range of densities available

PU tooling boards are compatible with a wide range of creative and technical projects, from automotive and architectural prototype models to lightweight film and theatre props. They are commonly used in the production of patterns, jigs and fixtures.