SALTGATOR Brings Safe Softgel Injection Molding to the Desktop with Its Eponymous Kit

Engineering startup SALTGATOR Tech has launched a crowdfunding campaign for what it claims is the "first desktop softgel injection molding machine" — born, surprisingly enough, from its founders' love of fishing.

"We're engineers by profession, but after hours, we’re casting lines in oceans, lakes, and winding rivers," SALTGATOR's Shengxu Cai explains. "Fishing is our escape — and over time, we craved soft baits that truly fit our style, worked across different waters, and didn't cost a fortune. [Our machine lets] fishing enthusiasts quickly customize soft lures for any fish or water."

That's not all the SALTGATOR can do, its creators claim. The company is positioning the device at hardware designers and makers for rapid prototyping, educators for hands-on learning, and even cosplayers for prop creation. With an injection process driven by hand — simply push the plunger on its top — the gadget allows for the creation of soft materials down to zero on the Shore A hardness scale, hard up to 40A, layered, or multi-material designs to be made.

The injector itself is only part of the process, of course. SALTGATOR intends its eponymous creation to be used with 3D-printed molds, which the company says can be printed from a wide variety of materials including PLA, PETG, and ABS. Items made using the device can be melted down and the material reused, too — and the heating and stirring is handled automatically, with the material reaching temperatures that won't melt even PLA molds.

"SALTGATOR uses sealed construction and eco-safe formulas to eliminate fumes, burns, and other common hazards," Cai claims. "Every step is designed to give you peace of mind while you create. We use DINCH-certified [1,2-Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester] eco plasticizers — completely odorless, non-toxic, and free from carcinogenic risks. It's safe for home, studio, and even small shared spaces."

SALTGATOR is currently crowdfunding its kit on Kickstarter, with physical rewards starting at $299 for "super early bird" backers including the unjection chamber, control base, clamp and fixture set, three nozzles of different sizes, a pack of softgel material, four sample molds, and a power supply. All hardware is expected to ship this September, the company says.