The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Precision Plastic Mold Parts

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Last revised in , the 21-page guide was originally drafted in the early s by the Moldmakers Division of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), now PLASTICS. It codified what are now widely accepted and used terms and definitions like Class 101 molds, as well as guidelines for the procurement process

Glenn Starkey, president of mold component and tool monitoring supplier Progressive Components, is leading the task force to revise the guide, along with Toby Bral of MSI Mold Builders (Cedar Rapids, Ia.) and Wally and Camille Sackett of Accede Mold & Tool (Rochester, N.Y.). Starkey is also the current chair of the Moldmakers Division of PLASTICS&#; Committee on Equipment Statistics.

The task force, which began meeting in September, is collaborating with Jennifer Jones, PLASTICS&#; director of industry standards. At this time, the group meets every three weeks to review the guide with Jones.

When it was first published, the guide was intended to help avoid misunderstandings and conflicts between toolmakers and tool buyers in the mold procurement process. The manual addresses topics such as mold classification, providing mold data sheets, practices of making payments, receiving progress reports and arranging a mold&#;s delivery.

Rather than scrapping the original content, Starkey said the work of the taskforce will primarily involve heavy editing and updating. At present, the guide has outdated references to everything from N.C. (numerical control) tape, mylars, hobs, and mandrels to pink carbon copies.

Practices for mold payments, mold qualification and warrantying mold performance are being reviewed. The revised guidelines also will have an updated mold data sheet, which serves as a checklist of the mold buyer&#;s needs and is used for quotations, and a progress report template for providing status during the various mold building stages.

Glenn Starkey, president of Progressive Components, is leading the task force to revise the guide. 

An initial draft will be circulated to a consensus group once the task committee reviews the document&#;s structure and content. The consensus group consists of mold buyers and makers within PLASTICS. The same committee will also seek input from members of the American Mold Builders Association and the industry at large. While there isn&#;t an exact target completion date for the guide, the group expects to seek industry feedback in early . The task force is also reviewing the mold finish guides.

In an interview with Plastics Technology, Starkey said the guide has two primary aspects&#;describing the procurement process and setting classification. &#;What are practices of inquiry for quote, placing an order, setting deliveries, setting payments&#;business matter stuff,&#; Starkey said. &#;It describes how this interaction goes. It&#;s not like buying 100 sprockets&#;you&#;re buying a quantity of one and no two are alike.&#;

The classification element, meanwhile, formalizes expectations for a tool. &#;Instead of saying something subjective, like, &#;I want a really top-notch mold,&#; and on the other end: cheap and dirty&#;this gives it some definition.&#;

If you're looking to manufacture plastic parts, you may need to buy a plastic injection mold. Injection molding is the process of creating plastic parts by injecting molten plastic into a mold. The mold is then cooled and the plastic part is removed. Injection molding is a popular manufacturing process for creating plastic parts because it is efficient and cost-effective.

Understanding plastic injection molding is important when buying a plastic injection mold. The mold is one of the most important components of the injection molding process. The mold is made up of two halves, the core and cavity, which are used to create the shape of the plastic part. The mold is typically made of steel or aluminum and is created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Once the mold is created, it is mounted onto an injection molding machine, which injects the molten plastic into the mold.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding plastic injection molding is important when buying a plastic injection mold.
• Quality assurance is crucial in mold manufacturing to ensure the mold is created to the desired specifications.
• After-sales support is important to ensure the mold continues to function properly and to address any issues that may arise.

Understanding Plastic Injection Molding

Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process that is widely used to produce a variety of plastic parts and products. It involves melting plastic pellets and injecting them into a mold under high pressure. Once the plastic cools and solidifies, the mold is opened, and the finished part is ejected. This process can be used to produce parts with complex geometries, tight tolerances, and high repeatability.

Types of Plastic Injection Molds

There are several types of plastic injection molds that are used in the manufacturing process. These include:

• Two-plate molds: This is the most common type of mold. It consists of two plates that are held together by the molding machine. One plate is attached to the fixed platen of the machine, while the other plate is attached to the moving platen. The cavity is formed by the two plates coming together.
• Three-plate molds: This type of mold has an extra plate that separates the runner and gate from the part. This allows for easier ejection of the finished part and reduces the risk of damage to the part during ejection.
• Hot runner molds: In this type of mold, the plastic is injected into a heated runner system that keeps the plastic molten until it reaches the cavity. This reduces waste and cycle time, as the plastic doesn't need to be cooled and re-melted between shots.
• Cold runner molds: This type of mold uses a runner system that is not heated. This can result in more waste and longer cycle times, but it is often used for lower volume production runs.

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Benefits of Plastic Injection Molding

There are several benefits to using plastic injection molding for your manufacturing needs. These include:

• High production rates: Injection molding can produce parts at a high rate, making it a cost-effective option for high volume production runs.
• Design flexibility: Injection molding allows for complex geometries and intricate details to be incorporated into the design of the part.
• Material versatility: Injection molding can be used with a wide range of plastic materials, including thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers.
• Consistency and repeatability: Injection molding produces parts with high accuracy and consistency, ensuring that each part is identical to the next.
• Reduced waste: Injection molding produces very little waste, as any excess material can be recycled and reused in the manufacturing process.

Plastic injection molding is a versatile and cost-effective manufacturing process that can be used to produce a wide range of plastic parts and products. By understanding the different types of molds and the benefits of injection molding, you can make an informed decision about whether this process is the right choice for your manufacturing needs.

Steps to Buy Plastic Injection Mold

If you are planning to buy a plastic injection mold, there are a few steps you need to follow to ensure that you get the best mold for your needs. In this section, we will discuss the three main steps to buy plastic injection mold.

Determining Mold Specifications

Before you start looking for a mold supplier, you need to determine the specifications of the mold you need. This includes the size, shape, and material of the mold. You should also consider the number of cavities you need in the mold, as well as any special features or requirements.

To determine the specifications of the mold, you should consider the following factors:

• The type of plastic you will be using
• The size and shape of the part you want to produce
• The required tolerances and surface finish of the part
• The expected production volume
• The injection molding machine you will be using

Selecting a Mold Supplier

Once you have determined the specifications of the mold you need, you can start looking for a mold supplier. It is important to choose a reputable supplier who can provide you with high-quality molds at a reasonable price.

When selecting a mold supplier, you should consider the following factors:

• The supplier's experience and reputation in the industry
• The supplier's ability to meet your specifications and requirements
• The supplier's lead times and delivery times
• The supplier's pricing and payment terms
• The supplier's customer service and support

Cost Considerations

Finally, you should consider the cost of the mold when making your purchase decision. While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest mold supplier, it is important to consider the long-term costs and benefits of the mold.

When considering the cost of the mold, you should consider the following factors:

• The initial cost of the mold
• The expected lifespan of the mold
• The cost of maintenance and repairs
• The cost of production, including material and labor costs
• The expected return on investment (ROI) of the mold

By following these steps, you can ensure that you buy a plastic injection mold that meets your specifications and requirements, while also providing a good return on investment.

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