The Saltgator: A Desktop SoftGel Injection Molding Machine (core77.com)

It's a kickstarter, seems interesting but I'm going to pass until they can ship products and have reviews that don't read like sponsored content like this article.

Reminds me of the modified EZ-bake I had 30+ years ago [1]. I tried putting hooks in those to mixed success. One side was always flat though.

[1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTFiJAH63xo

I don't understand, does this just inject the plastic into the mold? Where do I get the mold from?

The kickstarter page seems to be more informative.

"From ultra-soft to firm - mold any feel"

"Multi-part bonding"

I see this as an add-on for those who already have a 3D printer (I don't), because you can print the mold for your softgel part.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/saltgator/saltgator-the...

Looks like they are re-inventing the creepy crawler oven I had as a kid.

Hmm, so basically it's a heated syringe? Is there a reason you couldn't just use a regular syringe and heat it up?

I've been watching Marling baits and he just shoots microwave oven heated plastisol into a mold for years.

Eh, seems kind of interesting, but can't you just use reagent cured soft plastics at room temperature without the cost of a machine?

I would hazard a guess you have to use their proprietary material to inject into your mold.

Looks like a cross between a Rollie Egg Cooker and an Aeropress.

In fact, I think you could reproduce this invention using components of those two products.