[gtranslate]
We’ve compiled answers to our customers’ most common questions to help you determine whether HoliPress is right for your application.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Feel free to contact us. Our team can help assess your project and carry out material or part testing.
HoliPress is a compact plastic injection molding machine designed to produce thermoplastic parts.
It is used for prototyping, material testing, R&D, education and small-batch production. It allows you to produce molded parts quickly using your chosen thermoplastic, without having to use an industrial injection molding machine.
HoliPress is designed for R&D teams, design and engineering departments, laboratories, technical centers, manufacturers, educational institutions, fab labs and prototyping professionals.
It is particularly well suited to projects that require rapid testing of a material, part geometry or function before moving to industrial production.
The right model mainly depends on your part volume and the temperature required to process your material.
The HoliPress 16+ has an injection capacity of up to 16 cm³ and operates at temperatures of up to 320°C. It is well suited to prototypes and small parts.
The HoliPress 38 has an injection capacity of approximately 35–38 cm³ and a maximum operating temperature of 320°C. It is suitable for larger parts and applications that require more material per shot.
The HoliPress High Temp offers an injection capacity of 35–38 cm³ and can reach temperatures of up to 500°C. It is particularly suitable for high-performance engineering polymers that require elevated processing temperatures, such as PEEK, PEI and PPS.
If you are unsure which model to choose, contact us with details of your part and material. We can help you identify the most suitable configuration.
HoliPress uses the same fundamental injection molding process as industrial machines, but in a compact format.
It is designed for prototyping, material testing, R&D and small-batch production rather than high-volume manufacturing. Its main advantage is that you can move quickly from a material or prototype concept to an injection-molded part, with lower tooling and setup costs.
HoliPress also makes it possible to test several materials during a single session without tying up an industrial machine for extended periods. Its accessible components simplify cleaning and material changes, which can typically be completed in 5–20 minutes, depending on the materials involved.
This makes it easier and more cost-effective to compare different materials and formulations.
3D printing and injection molding serve different purposes.
3D printing produces a part directly from a digital file. With HoliPress, the part is molded inside a tool, allowing you to use industrial thermoplastics and reproduce the manufacturing process intended for the final part.
For prototyping, the two technologies can also complement each other. For example, a 3D-printed mold combines the speed of additive manufacturing with the ability to process thermoplastics through injection molding. HoliMaker uses SLA-printed molds for feasibility studies and material testing.
HoliPress is not intended to replace an industrial injection molding machine for very high-volume production.
It may also be unsuitable if your part volume significantly exceeds the machine’s injection capacity, if your material requires processing conditions that are incompatible with the selected configuration, or if your part geometry presents specific injection challenges.
If you are unsure whether your project is feasible, we can assess your part and material to help determine the best approach.
HoliPress can produce a wide range of parts, including functional prototypes, technical components, thin-walled parts, gears, connectors, flexible components and small parts for limited production runs.
The possibilities depend on factors such as part volume, geometry, wall thickness, material and mold design. Our parts gallery features examples produced with HoliPress using materials including POM, glass-fiber-reinforced PA, TPE, PEEK and PPS.
The maximum injection volume depends on the model:
The corresponding part weight depends on the density of the material being processed. Injection capacity is therefore best compared by volume rather than weight in grams.
There is no single maximum part dimension that applies to every application.
Feasibility depends on several factors, including injection volume, wall thickness, material viscosity, flow length, part geometry and gate location.
If you already have a 3D file, send it to us and we can provide an initial assessment of whether the part can be produced with HoliPress.
Yes. However, the ability to fill thin sections and reproduce fine details depends on the material, part geometry, mold design and injection conditions.
For particularly thin or complex geometries, a feasibility study can help validate the project before the final mold is manufactured.
We have produced, and seen customer parts produced with, wall thicknesses below 1 mm. You can find some examples in our online parts gallery. Many more can be discovered at trade shows or in our showroom in Metz, France.
Yes. Certain configurations allow inserts to be incorporated into a part or enable overmolding onto existing components. Depending on the application, these may include plastic parts, metal components, cables, PCBs and textiles.
Feasibility depends on the geometry of the part and insert, the material and the process requirements. We recommend sharing your project details with us so we can assess the most appropriate configuration.
Start by checking whether your part volume falls within the injection capacity of the model you are considering.
However, volume is only one factor. Material properties, wall thickness, geometry, flow length and mold design also affect feasibility.
If you are unsure, send us your 3D file and any available information about your material. We can help assess the project and recommend a suitable solution.
Yes. HoliMaker offers feasibility studies for projects where the compatibility of a part, material or injection process needs to be validated.
Our team analyzes your 3D part file, designs and manufactures a suitable mold, and produces a series of test parts. We then provide the parts along with a report detailing the results and processing parameters used.
Pricing depends on the project and is available on request.
HoliPress is designed to process standard and engineering thermoplastics.
Depending on the model and processing conditions, materials may include PP, PE, HDPE, PA, TPU, POM, ABS, LDPE and PS. The HoliPress High Temp can also process high-performance polymers such as PEEK, PEI and PPS.
This list is not exhaustive. Compatibility must be assessed for each specific material and machine configuration.
HoliPress processes thermoplastic raw materials used in industry, typically supplied in pellet form.
However, a material that can be processed on an industrial machine is not necessarily suitable for every HoliPress configuration. Processing temperature, viscosity, required pressure and other material properties must be taken into account.
If you have questions about a specific material, contact us for guidance.
Yes. Certain fiber-reinforced materials can be processed with HoliPress.
Feasibility depends on factors such as fiber content and type, mold design, polymer viscosity and injection conditions. Our parts gallery includes examples made from PA reinforced with 30% glass fiber.
Yes. HoliPress can be used to process recycled plastics and regrind, provided their properties are suitable for injection molding.
This makes it a useful tool for testing and evaluating recycled materials on a small scale before considering larger-scale production.
Yes. HoliPress has a small injection capacity, allowing you to conduct material trials on a small scale without using an industrial injection molding machine.
HoliMaker also offers material testing services to assess whether a specific material can be processed with HoliPress. Testing includes molding a stepped specimen and a tensile test specimen using aluminum molds, along with details of the results obtained.
Pricing varies depending on the material and is available on request.
The required amount depends on the part volume, mold design and processing conditions. In many cases, a few dozen grams are sufficient.
HoliPress’s low injection volume helps reduce material consumption compared with trials on an industrial injection molding machine. If you share details of your part and material, we can estimate the amount needed for your project.
Some thermoplastics are moisture-sensitive and must be dried before processing to achieve good molding results.
Drying conditions depend on the material and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always consult the material’s technical data sheet before processing.
Yes. These engineering polymers can be processed using the HoliPress High Temp, which can reach temperatures of up to 500°C.
However, these materials require specific processing conditions, including appropriate temperature settings and material preparation. Always follow the material manufacturer’s processing recommendations.
The HoliPress High Temp is designed for applications that require higher injection temperatures than those available with the HoliPress 16+ and 38.
It can process standard thermoplastics as well as engineering polymers, reaching temperatures of up to 500°C. This makes it particularly useful for high-performance polymers such as PEEK, PEI and PPS.
It retains an injection capacity of approximately 35–38 cm³, making it a versatile option for a wide range of material testing and prototyping applications.
HoliPress can be used with several types of molds, including:
The best mold depends on the material being injected, part geometry, required production quantity and processing temperatures.
Yes. Using 3D-printed molds is one of the advantages of HoliPress for prototyping and small-batch production.
SLA-printed molds can reduce tooling costs and lead times. They also make it easier to modify a part geometry and produce successive iterations.
However, the resin must be suitable for the material being injected and the processing conditions involved. HoliMaker has conducted trials using resin-printed molds to inject engineering polymers.
A metal mold is generally preferable when you need greater tooling durability, repeated use or more demanding processing conditions.
A 3D-printed mold is particularly useful for prototyping, rapid design iterations and small production quantities.
The right choice depends on the required number of parts, material, processing temperature and project objectives.
Potentially, yes, provided the mold is compatible with the machine’s dimensions, clamping system and injection conditions.
If you already have a mold, send us its dimensions and technical specifications so we can check whether it is compatible.
This depends on the material and part geometry.
For certain applications, particularly those involving metal molds, preheating can improve material flow and molding conditions. HoliMaker offers a mold preheating system that allows you to maintain a mold at the desired temperature.
In some cases, yes. HoliMaker’s core business is the design and manufacture of injection molding machines, but we can also offer mold design and manufacturing services for selected HoliPress applications.
As part of a feasibility study, our team can design a mold based on your 3D file and carry out test injections in our workshop.
Pricing depends on the scope and requirements of the project. Please contact us through our contact form to discuss your needs.
Yes. HoliPress is particularly well suited to material testing thanks to its low injection volume and rapid setup.
It allows you to test different formulations, recycled materials and compounds before moving to industrial equipment.
HoliMaker also offers material testing services to assess whether a specific material can be processed with HoliPress.
Yes. HoliMaker offers molds for producing different specimens used to characterize polymer properties.
These include tensile test specimens in accordance with ISO 527-2 and rectangular specimens for flexural and impact testing in accordance with ISO 178. Rheology molds are also available.
Injection molding allows you to produce a prototype using the intended thermoplastic material and to reproduce the manufacturing process planned for the final part.
This helps you evaluate a part’s behavior, functionality and material properties earlier in the development process, before investing in industrial tooling or series production.
3D printing remains complementary, as it can be used to manufacture an injection mold quickly.
Yes, provided the production material is compatible with the HoliPress configuration being used.
This is one of the main advantages of injection molding for prototyping. Testing a part in the material intended for production provides more representative information than testing a prototype made from a different material.
Yes. HoliPress allows you to compare different materials or formulations using the same mold.
To obtain meaningful comparisons, it is important to maintain controlled injection conditions and document the parameters used for each test.
Yes. HoliPress can be used for small-batch production, particularly when the required quantities do not yet justify investing in industrial tooling.
The achievable quantity depends on several factors, including the material, part geometry, mold, cycle time and required level of repeatability.
For a specific production run, we can help you determine the most appropriate configuration.
There is no single maximum part count that applies to every project.
Mold life depends on factors such as mold material, design, the material being injected, processing temperature and operating conditions. A metal mold will generally offer greater durability than a resin-printed mold.
Contact us with your target quantity and project details so we can help identify the most suitable tooling solution.
Requirements depend on the model and application.
HoliPress machines operate on a 220 V power supply. Additional equipment may be used depending on your needs, including a mold preheating system, different nozzle options, a hydraulic clamping system or a fume extraction and filtration system.
We can advise you on the equipment required for your working environment and application.
Cycle time depends on the material, part, mold and injection parameters.
As a general guideline, the HoliPress 16+, 38 and High Temp have an indicated cycle time of approximately 3–6 minutes per part. The injection phase itself is shorter, typically taking between 2 and 10 seconds depending on the machine and settings.
Repeatability depends on the injection conditions, including the material, temperature, injection speed, holding pressure, mold and consistency of the process.
HoliPress allows you to reproduce injection settings from one cycle to the next. However, as with any manufacturing process, consistent operating procedures and controlled parameters play an important role in achieving repeatable results.
For applications requiring precise material characterization, we recommend defining an injection protocol and recording the parameters used. Keeping the operator and procedure consistent can further improve repeatability.
Yes. HoliPress allows users to observe the different stages of the injection molding process and understand how processing parameters affect the final part.
It can be used in engineering schools, universities, technical colleges, fab labs, teaching facilities and laboratories for polymer processing education, prototyping and material testing.
To order a HoliPress or request a quotation, contact us through our contact form or email us at commercial[a]holimaker.fr.
Please include as much information as possible about your project, such as part type, volume, material, required quantity, intended application and any technical constraints.
This information will help us recommend the most suitable configuration.
Yes. We can help you choose the right machine, check whether your material or part is compatible, and identify the molds and accessories you may need.
We also offer feasibility studies, mold design and manufacturing, material testing and training services.
We ship orders using parcel or freight carriers, depending on the shipment. Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive a tracking link.
The carrier and shipping method depend on factors such as the shipment’s weight and destination country.
We ship worldwide. Shipping costs and delivery times depend on the destination country.
HoliMaker also works with distributors in selected countries. Contact us to find out whether a distributor is available in your region.
HoliMaker is based in the Grand Est region of France.
Our machines are assembled at our premises, and we work with a network of French and European suppliers, material manufacturers, subcontractors and partners.
You can contact us through our contact form or by email at commercial[a]holimaker.fr.
If you have a specific project, we recommend including the information you already have about your part, material and objectives in your first message. This will help our team provide a more relevant and accurate response.