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.

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

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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

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 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?