Mold making: Typically 25-45 days (for standard single-cavity molds in P20/H13 steel). Complex multi-cavity or high-precision molds (e.g., thin-wall, multi-slide) may take 50-70 days. We’ll provide an exact timeline after reviewing your 3D model. Production: Lead time depends on quantity—3-7 days for small batches (1,000-5,000 pcs), 1-2 weeks for larger orders (10K+ pcs). Urgent orders can be prioritized with a rush fee (discussed case-by-case).
Standard MOQ: 1,000 pieces for most plastics (e.g., PP/PE/ABS). For high-cost materials (e.g., PC/PA66) or complex molds, MOQ may be 500-800 pcs. Flexibility: We accept trial orders as low as 100-300 pcs (additional tooling/setup fees may apply). Long-term partners can negotiate lower MOQs based on annual volume.
Mold cost (steel type, cavity number, complexity); Unit price per part (material cost + injection cost + labor); Shipping (DAP/DDP/CIF options); Taxes/duties (if applicable); Additional fees (e.g., surface treatment, packaging). We’ll send a structured Excel sheet with itemized costs for transparency.
Reduce mold complexity (e.g., simplify undercuts); Optimize wall thickness (avoid shrinkage defects); Adjust draft angles (ensure easy ejection); Lower production costs (e.g., fewer cavities if over-engineered). This step typically reduces mold modification risks by 70%.
50/50 split for low-risk orders; Letter of Credit (LC) for large contracts;
Ordinary plastics (PP/PE/PS): P20 pre-hardened steel (cost-effective, good for prototypes/low-volume). Engineering plastics (PA66, PBT): H13 steel (HRC 48-52) – resists glass fiber abrasion, ideal for high-volume (500K+ shots). Transparent/high-gloss plastics (PC/PMMA): NAK80 pre-hardened steel – polished to mirror finish (Ra ≤0.1μm), no post-treatment needed. Corrosive plastics (PVC): S136 stainless steel – anti-rust, prevents acid-induced pitting. We’ll recommend the best option after reviewing your plastic type and production volume.
P20: 30,000–100,000 shots (short-term prototypes). H13: 500,000–1,500,000 shots (standard for glass-filled plastics). NAK80/S136: 150,000–300,000 shots (depends on corrosion/abrasion level). Actual lifespan depends on maintenance (e.g., regular cleaning, avoiding overheating).
Yes. We typically start with single-cavity molds for prototypes, but can design 2–32+ cavities for mass production (e.g., 16-cavity molds for bottle caps). More cavities reduce per-unit cost but require higher precision—our engineers will balance efficiency and feasibility.
We default to HASCO (Europe) and DME (US) standards for gates, ejectors, and cooling systems. For custom requirements (e.g., Japanese MISUMI, client-specific parting line rules), we fully adapt—just share your drawings or specs.
Mold precision: ±0.005mm (critical features like holes/dimensions). Part tolerance: Typically ±0.05–0.1mm (for common plastics), tighter (±0.02mm) achievable for simple geometries. We use CNC milling (3-axis/5-axis), EDM (for fine details), and final polishing to meet your specs.
Aluminum (ADC12): H13 (standard) or 8407 (high-volume) – resists thermal fatigue, hardened to HRC 48-52. For ultra-high-volume (>1M shots), 8407 is better (longer lifespan).
Zinc alloy (ZA-8): SKD61 or H13 – lower melting point (400°C vs. 700°C), but still needs heat resistance.
For corrosive alloys (e.g., magnesium), we add S136 stainless steel components.
Steel selection: H13/8407 with high thermal conductivity and hardness (resists cracking).
Cooling design: Optimized water channels (e.g., 10–15mm from hot spots) to balance temperature and reduce thermal shock.
Surface treatment: Nitriding or chrome plating to enhance erosion resistance.
Uniform spacing (15–20mm between channels);
Balanced flow rate (avoid hot/cold spots);
Simulation tools (Moldex3D) to predict temperature distribution before production.
Primary vents: 0.02–0.05mm gaps along parting lines; Secondary vents: Ejector pin holes or deep pocket vents; Overflow wells: To catch trapped air (prevents burn marks/blistering). Our DFM analysis includes venting checks to eliminate 90% of air-related defects.
H13: 100,000–200,000 shots (standard); up to 300,000 with 8407. 8407: 200,000–500,000 shots (optimal for high-volume aluminum). Regular maintenance (e.g., inspecting cracks every 20K shots) extends lifespan further.
We work with commodity plastics (PP, PE, PS, PVC) and engineering plastics (PC, PA66, ABS, POM, PBT, PMMA). For special needs (e.g., TPU, PEEK), we source certified materials—just specify requirements (e.g., flame retardant, food-grade).
Yes. We specialize in: Insert molding: Metal screws, pins, or electronic components embedded in plastic; Overmolding: Soft TPE over hard plastic (e.g., grip handles). Just share insert dimensions and bonding requirements—we’ll optimize clamping force and injection parameters.
Adjust cooling channel design; Reduce wall thickness (if structurally allowed); Use hot runner systems (minimizes cooling delay). We’ll test and propose the fastest feasible cycle.
In-process checks: First-article inspection (FAI) + 100% visual check for defects (e.g., flash, sink marks); Dimensional inspection: Calipers/CMM for critical dimensions (report attached); Material verification: Provide material certificates (e.g., RoHS, FDA compliance); Final audit: Random sampling (e.g., 1% for large batches).
Mold warranty: 6–12 months (covers manufacturing defects, not wear from normal use). Free repairs within 3 months; minor adjustments (e.g., polishing) included for 1 year. Production support: Ongoing troubleshooting (e.g., adjusting injection parameters) for 3 months post-delivery.
Yes. We hold ISO 9001:2015 (general manufacturing) and IATF 16949:2016 (automotive) certifications. For medical parts, we follow ISO 13485 guidelines (upon request). Certificates available upon request.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): We handle customs, taxes, and delivery to your door; EXW/FOB: You manage import clearance (we provide all documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, CO). Preferred shipping partners: DHL, FedEx (small batches), or sea freight (large molds).
