Finding a reliable injection mold supplier is vital to getting high-quality products. The key factors to consider include credentials, capacity, and communication.
An experienced supplier will provide the best solutions for a given application. They will also have the engineering capabilities to produce components precisely and accurately. They will also be able to manage projects with limited timelines and budgets.
Reliability
When sourcing injection molding, there is more to choosing a supplier than selecting the lowest price. Several factors affect pricing and lead times, so it is important to research before deciding. This includes determining if the mold manufacturer can deliver on their promises and whether they have a reliable delivery schedule.
A reliable injection mold supplier will be able to meet your deadlines and complete your project on time. They will also be able to provide you with quality products that are manufactured according to your specifications. Additionally, they will be able to respond promptly to any questions or inquiries you may have. This is an important aspect of any partnership and will help you build trust with your supplier. In addition, a reliable injection mold company will have the tools and equipment to make your product efficiently and accurately.
Flexibility
A good injection molding supplier will provide comprehensive services, including design and engineering, tooling, and machining. They should also be flexible with their lead times and be able to work within your program requirements. This will save time, money, and the internal tracking costs associated with several different vendors.
Injection molding requires a specific tonnage or volumetric flow rate for the molten plastic to enter the mold cavities and solidify until it is 95% full. This depends on the material’s flow characteristics, viscosity, shear rate, and more. It also depends on the mold size, surface area, depth, and more.
Cycle time is another important factor. Achieving short cycles with injection molding can be difficult, but CNC machining is a great option. It can reduce cycle times to a few minutes, increasing productivity and yielding lower per-unit costs. It also provides design flexibility and tolerances that are difficult to achieve with injection molding.
Experience
You must ensure that the selected injection molding supplier can deliver your products on time. This means that you should ask about their delivery times and shipping options. If unsatisfied with their answers, you should look for another manufacturer.
You should also visit a manufacturer’s plant before committing. This will allow you to observe the molded production process and meet the responsible individuals. It is best to schedule the visit during production hours.
Choosing the right plastic injection mold maker requires careful consideration of many factors, including the quality of their products and services and their degree of customer service. Working with a company that can communicate clearly and efficiently is essential. This is especially important when working on a high intellectual property sensitivity project. Insufficient communication can result in design revisions, delays, and other unexpected problems. Excessive clamping pressure can damage the equipment and create defects in the molded part.
Cost
The cost of an injection mold is one of the most important factors when choosing a supplier. However, it is not just about the initial price. It is also important to choose a supplier that can provide quality service throughout the lifetime of your project. This includes handling manufacturing variability and ensuring that the final product meets specifications.
The first step in the injection molding process is fabricating the mold tooling. This is made of a metal such as steel or aluminum and can be machined using conventional methods or with computer numerical control (CNC) machining. CNC machining is more expensive but can produce a more precise result.
The size and complexity of the injection mold play a role in the overall cost. Single-cavity and smaller molds are less expensive than multi-cavity molds. Also, reducing the number of features through efficient CAD design can reduce costs. This is because more product characteristics lead to more spending during the manufacturing process.