Method and apparatus for manufacturing components used for the manufacture of articles

A method of manufacture of a mold, comprising:

• forming a first plate, including forming a planar region and an aperture configured to receive a first mold insert;
• forming the first mold insert and removably connecting the first mold insert to the first plate, forming the first mold insert including forming a first cavity region in the first mold insert in which at least a portion of a molded article is formed;
• forming a second plate, the second plate being generally planar and providing a surface against which the at least a portion of the molded article is formed;
• forming a third plate, including forming an aperture in the third plate configured for receiving a second mold insert, the third plate being located between the first plate and the second plate;
• and
• forming the second mold insert and removably connecting the second mold insert to the third plate forming the second mold insert including forming a second cavity region in the second mold insert in which the at least a portion of the molded article is formed;
• and
• wherein the first and second mold inserts are formed using a rapid prototyping technique.