You have an idea — we turn it into a product
From 3D-printed prototype to series-ready injection moulding production. We support startups and product developers from the first sketch to series — design, tool making and injection moulding with a dedicated contact person.
Experience that companies build on
Four steps from thought to market
Idea and first meeting
We listen, jointly assess feasibility and openly discuss material and rough costs — free and without obligation.
Design and manufacturing-optimised development
Our engineers develop your design and make it economical for injection moulding.
In-house tool making
Your tool is made by us — no outsourcing, short waiting times, full control over quality and schedule.
First samples from the series tool
Series parts, tailored to customer requirements, that are already market-ready. Feedback is implemented quickly, up to the initial sample inspection report (ISIR).
Why with us instead of going it alone?
Three reasons that count.
No China sourcing
Tools and parts are made in Hoppegarten near Berlin. Short distances, direct coordination, no shipping across continents. Made in Germany.
More than 3D printing
3D printing is perfect for prototypes. But for series production you need injection moulding: real materials, durable parts, scalable quantities.
One partner for everything
Design, tooling, injection moulding — no piecing together three service providers. One contact, one location, one process.
Realistic assessment of your project
A typical startup project, from design through tool making to the first 1,000 parts, costs between €15,000 and €50,000. We tell you upfront what is realistic and plan together in stages. No hidden costs, no nasty surprises.
- Tool and part from one source
- Transparent planning from the start
- No hidden surprises later
We were a startup ourselves
Weiland Werkzeugbau was founded in 1965 in East Berlin from a workshop and an idea. Today, over 60 years later, we are a company with a modern machine park — and we still know what it feels like to start from scratch.
- Founded in a workshop
- Today a solid mid-sized company
- We understand your challenge
Nassenheider — from idea to world market
What we promise for startups, we have proven ourselves: The Nassenheider product line for professional beekeeping was developed completely in-house — design, tool making, injection moulding. Today, Nassenheider is internationally established and shows that the path from thought to marketable product is possible when the right partner stands by your side.
Frequently Asked Questions for Startups
From the first idea to series production — here we answer the most common questions from founders and young companies.
Generally, injection moulding becomes economical from around 500–1,000 units. For startups, however, we offer prototype tools that allow meaningful initial production from as few as 50–100 units. We advise you honestly about when investing in a tool pays off compared to 3D printing or CNC manufacturing.
Ideally, we need 3D CAD data of your component (STEP format), the desired quantity, the preferred material and any special requirements (surface, tolerances, colour). If no CAD data is available yet, we can also develop an initial concept based on sketches or 3D-printed samples.
We support you from idea to series. Our Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) service checks your component design for injection moulding suitability and suggests optimisations that reduce costs and improve quality. This includes wall thickness optimisation, draft angles, gate positioning and material recommendations.
A prototype tool for simple components starts in the low five-figure range. The exact costs depend on component complexity, number of cavities and tool steel. We disclose all cost items transparently and work together to develop an economical approach that fits your budget and scaling strategy.
Of course. The right material choice is crucial for the function, feel and cost of your product. We advise you comprehensively on the properties of various plastics — from standard thermoplastics (PP, ABS) to engineering plastics (PA, POM, PC) to special materials with flame retardancy, UV stabilisation or food approval.
Confidentiality is a matter of course for us. On request, we sign non-disclosure agreements (NDA) before the first data transfer. Your CAD data and product information are used exclusively for order processing and are not passed on to third parties.
The typical timeframe from final CAD approval to the first series parts is 6–14 weeks, depending on tool complexity. With a prototype tool, first sample parts can be available after just 3–5 weeks. We create a detailed project plan with all milestones for you.
Yes, small series and prototypes are a focus of our work with startups. With cost-effective prototype tools, we produce small series from 50 units that match the material quality and appearance of later series production — ideal for crowdfunding campaigns, investor samples or initial market tests.
Design changes after tool manufacturing are often feasible depending on the scope. Minor adjustments (dimensional corrections, surface changes) can be made to the existing tool. For larger geometry changes, we advise you whether a tool modification or a new tool is more economical.
This is the classic startup path and our recommended approach. You start with a prototype tool for the first 1,000–10,000 parts. Once your product is validated on the market, you invest in a series tool with a higher number of cavities and longer tool life. The insights from the prototype phase flow directly into the series tool design.
Tell us about your idea
A short conversation, no obligation. We listen and honestly say what is possible.