n A term designating structures composed of plastics that are used as tools in the fabrication of metals or other materials including plastics. While they are usually made of reinforced and/or filled thermosets, flexible silicone or polyurethane tools are often used for casting plastics. Common applications of rigid plastics tooling are sheet-metal-forming dies, models for duplicators, drill fixtures, spotting racks molds for thermoforming thermoplastics, and injection molds for short runs. The tools are formed by the usual processes used for thermosetting resins, such as laminating, cating, and sprayup.