Füllen’s Desktop Plastic Injection Machine MiniMolder Manufactured with Xometry

Initial Steps and Challenges in the Sourcing Process

As Füllen began producing its initial prototypes, they worked with various suppliers. Although they started with a focus on minimising costs, they soon discovered that managing the process was far more complex than anticipated. Production delays and difficulties in technical communication quickly became obstacles to their growth.

From Seeking a Solution to a Partnership: Why Xometry?

During this critical phase, their path intersected with Xometry. Initially expecting to utilise only small-scale prototyping services, the team quickly recognised the benefits of the engineering support and extensive manufacturing capacity offered by the platform. As a result, they shifted their entire mould production process to Xometry.

Thanks to Xometry’s Instant Quoting Engine, they could immediately view production costs and delivery times for parts, while directly engaging with engineers to swiftly confirm the manufacturability of their designs. For complex components that required more than just CNC machining, Xometry’s additional centralised production services (for example, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining)) and its wide variety of materials and surface finishes provided a significant advantage:

CNC machined components—including bracket caps, mould holders, cap shims, needle holders, motor bases, movable and fixed aluminum blocks, and push blocks—were produced from materials such as Aluminum 5754, 6082, and 7075. The moulds were manufactured using 1.2738 tool steel, and sandblasting was chosen as the surface treatment. All parts were delivered on schedule, fully prepared for assembly.

From Prototyping to Mass Manufacturing: The Entire Process on a Single Platform

The Füllen team defines the necessary mould details and communicates only the specifications to Xometry. All coordination, production, and quality control processes are managed by Xometry. This approach ensures that:

• With an average delivery time of 12 days, project planning remains uninterrupted.
• Production accuracy is guaranteed through rigorous engineering checks.
• Quick feedback on topics such as manufacturability, material selection, and surface finishes.

MiniMolder: How Is the Landscape of Plastic Injection Changing?

MiniMolder operates entirely on electricity—eschewing traditional hydraulic and pneumatic systems—to deliver both energy savings and reduced production costs. This breakthrough technology opens up a new frontier in plastic injection for a wide range of users, from small workshops to cutting-edge technology centers.

What Lies Ahead?

Having successfully collaborated with Xometry on more than six projects so far, Füllen Makine now plans to leverage Xometry’s capabilities for new components in mass production, such as sheet metal forming body parts. In response to customer demand, they are also developing a new, higher-capacity machine, MiniMolder2.

The journey of Füllen Makine demonstrates that a startup spirit can indeed achieve ambitious goals. With their innovative approach and visionary objectives, they are poised to continue making significant strides in the field of plastic injection.

Discover more about Füllen Makine: https://www.fullenmakina.com/