Plastic injection molding is an extremely versatile method of producing plastic parts and has multiple advantages over other methods of plastic molding. Not only is the process simpler and more reliable than others methods, but it is also extremely efficient. Both of these are primary reasons why it has become a standard process in virtually every industry demanding high-volume components and parts.
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After 62 plus years of experience in the industry, we have heard virtually every question a customer could ask. To help you make an informed decision on your plastic injection molding project, we&#;ve outlined some of the most common questions &#; and their answers from our previous blog articles&#; below.
One of the most common questions for those looking to source a plastic injection molder is &#;How much will a plastic injection mold cost?&#; It's one of the most important questions, since the actual mold represents the most significant expense in upfront production costs. Tight-tolerance, precision molds that are made from the best steel available should last for years to come. That being said, many factors go into determining the full cost. With any custom injection molding project, your injection molder should be able to give you the final price tag. In this article, we will review the variables that can impact the cost so that you can be better informed when making a mold purchasing decision.
Specific certifications demonstrate a supplier&#;s commitment to quality and continuous improvement. They indicate that buyers and procurement professionals are dealing with a manufacturer that has reached the highest standards in the industry. As buyers become more sophisticated, they want to see more accountability and quality checks throughout their supply chain. At Rodon, we use important quality manufacturing standards to provide innovative plastic injection manufacturing solutions for our clients and continuously look for ways to improve and refine our processes.
Engineers have various options when choosing a plastic injection molding process to best suit their specific application. Each of the three primary methods &#; hydraulic, electric, and hybrid &#; feature unique benefits and drawbacks. To make the right selection for your project, it&#;s important to have a full understanding of how these methods differ and what they can offer you. No matter what your specific application, an injection molding machine &#; whether hydraulic, electric or hybrid &#; should provide you with reliable, high-quality parts while keeping costs down.
Ever since its introduction in the late 19th century, plastic injection molding has revolutionized the way we create plastic products. Although the technology has evolved significantly over the years, many injection molds today still fall into two main categories: hot runner and cold runner systems. Each of these systems has their own benefits and limitations which make them better suited for specific applications. Understanding the differences between these technologies can help you have a more productive and informed discussion with your plastic injection specialist to determine the most feasible option for your unique application.
With over 16,000 injection molding and plastic manufacturing facilities in the United States, there is no shortage of companies to choose from. When choosing a provider, many factors should be taken into consideration, including capabilities, quality assurance, cost, company reputation, and delivery time. Finding the right plastic injection molder to fit your needs may seem daunting, but determining your volume requirements first and foremost &#; and how they may shift over time &#; will help narrow down your options. Plastic injection molding providers usually specialize in one of three volume classifications- low volume, mid volume and high volume. Learn how to differentiate which is best for your project.
When looking for a manufacturer that will provide you with quality, savings, and a quick turnaround, it&#;s essential to consider the location of your facility. While many companies are moving overseas in search of cheaper production and labor costs, it often pays to keep your company based right here in the United States. In fact, there are numerous benefits to choosing a manufacturer based in the United States over those found abroad, especially in the long run. Together, these benefits present a solid case to keep manufacturing companies in the United States. While overseas manufacturing might seem like a cheaper option for many companies, in the long term, the benefits of keeping your manufacturing facility domestic far outweigh the short-term benefits of moving your facility abroad.
With hundreds of commodity and engineering resins available on today&#;s market, the material selection process for plastic injection molding may seem daunting at first. Selecting the right material from the start will not only save you time and money, but it will also help ensure optimal product performance and manufacturability. Research your options carefully, and consult with an experienced plastic injection molder to help determine the ideal choice. At Rodon, we understand the unique benefits and properties offered by different types of plastics, and work closely with clients to find the best fit for their project.
What questions should I ask before buying injection molds?
- What is the molder&#;s expertise?
- What standards do they follow?
- How long will it take to build?
- How much will the initial mold build cost?
- Where am I in product development?
- What is the part&#;s geometry, material, and size like?
- How many plastic parts does it need to make?
- Do they guarantee the molds for the life of the project?
You&#;re finally satisfied with your plastic part design, it&#;s now time to consider mold selection so you can start production. But, picking the right mold maker and designing the right mold is less straightforward than you expect &#; you might even find yourself presented with a laundry list of new decisions to make.
Even more confusing, you might have molding project proposals from several injection molders, all with varying designs, costs, and more. So how do you make the right selection for your project?
To help you, here are the best questions to ask before buying molds in the US:
What is the molder&#;s expertise?
Most of the injection molders that you can find in the US will have their areas of expertise. It&#;s important to ask prospective parts what they are &#; their answer will help you determine whether they have the experience and know-how they need to make the best mold for your application.
You could also check their website or ask them directly for their portfolio, equipment list, and reputation. What you will see is a testimony of the quality and stability of their services and products. Try also asking for a few of their client references, specifically those who work in the same field as you do. Doing this will help you see if this injection molding partner can meet the specific requirements of your industry.
What standards do they follow?
Ideally, the injection molding partner you choose should follow industry standards.
The most important ones include ISO : for product quality and consistency and ISO : for environmental impact. Another industry standard to look out for is IATF, which shows that the injection molding company works on continual improvement, defect prevention, and reduction of errors in its services.
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If your injection molder is adhering to all of the above standards &#; like Richfields does &#; then you can rest assured that the mold maker will go above and beyond the necessary quality requirements.
How long will it take to build?
Building a new mold is one of the longest tasks in any production project. While some molds can take just a couple of weeks to design and make, some may take several months. It&#;s important to present your part design and ask your potential partner what the lead time will be for your mold so you can adjust your production schedule accordingly.
If your part design still needs some tweaking, you can ask for a prototype mold to be made instead, which usually takes around 3 to 6 weeks to make. If you&#;re ready for full production, then your mold may take upwards of 12 weeks to make.
What&#;s important here is that your molding partner has a clear idea of what to make and how much time they need to make it. If they can offer intermediary solutions to help with long lead times, then this is a benefit to your production.
How much will the initial mold build cost?
With mold-making services in the US ranging in the thousands, you must get a quote early on to see if it aligns with your production budget. Several factors impact the cost of your mold, including mold classification, design complexity, mold cavitation, and specialty molding designs.
For example, prototype molds tend to be much cheaper than a final mold. And, having a specialized design, such as a multi-cavity mold, can also increase initial build costs.
Be upfront about what you want and need for your molds, so your potential partners will know what goes into your mold building price. And great mold maker, like Richfields, will help you find ways to make your design more cost-effective &#; getting you the most bang for your buck.
Where am I in product development?
Where you are in your product development process is a critical factor in how your mold is made. In the early stages of prototyping and pre-production, you can typically expect a lower construction quality mold &#; because they are made to make short runs of your prototype, and make it more cost-effective for several design iterations.
If you&#;re later in the development stages, then you can request a better-built, sturdier mold that is production-ready. Be careful about selecting your molds &#; make sure it&#;s suitable for where you are in your product development process to avoid spending more money on new molds and mold repairs over time.
What is the part&#;s geometry, material, and size like?
Depending on what geometries, features, and size you need for your plastic parts, your potential mold-making partners may need to use different mold-making approaches. Some designs will need molds made using hardened steel, or steel inserts, rather than softer metals like aluminum.
The material you&#;re planning to use for your plastic parts will also play a role in how the mold is designed and made. Some resins are incompatible with certain mold materials. For example, plastics like nylon will need a higher quality mold to fit part specifications.
Richfield&#;s molding engineers can help you examine all your part&#;s specifications to determine what kind of mold best suits your needs. Our team will also examine overall functionality to help in the mold design process &#; taking into consideration other features like snap fits, breakaways, and more to design the right mold.
How many plastic parts does it need to make?
You&#;ll also want to consider the minimum production requirements. How many parts does your mold need to make? Will you have a short production run of only a few hundred parts, or are you aiming for mass production that creates up to a million of them?
If you only need a few parts, then you could probably go for a cheaper mold made from less sturdy materials, like aluminum. But, large volume runs will probably necessitate the use of things like hardened steel inserts, which cost more but helps in meeting your production needs.
Do they guarantee the molds for the life of the project?
Finally, ask if your mold-making partner guarantees the lifespan of their molds. If they do, then your molds should be able to meet your production requirements with minimal risk of error or breakage. If the molder seems confident that their molds can stand up to your strict requirements, it&#;s a good sign that they will be fit for your application &#; and less likely to need adjustments or repairs.
Key Takeaway
If you are considering which plastic mold maker to work with, then use these eight questions to ask before buying molds in the US to help guide you to the right partner.
At Richfields, we can help you create the best molds for your application &#; no matter how complex or detailed your designs may be. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your next plastic project.
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