4 Must-Know Facts About the Mold Manufacturing Industry

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You’ve probably wondered what goes into mold manufacturing. Molds are made from aluminum or steel and are vertically built. They require high levels of polishing and are very expensive. 

Molds are made of steel or aluminum

Steel and aluminum molds are both durable and ideal for high-volume production. They are compatible with both standard resins and advanced formulas. In addition, steel molds are suitable for parts with high-precision detailed features. However, they require more time and effort to manufacture, resulting in a higher part cost.

Steel molds are heavier than aluminum molds. However, they are more durable and can withstand a significant heat load. The lighter weight of aluminum molds makes them ideal for long production runs. They are also less likely to warp and crack. Aluminum molds are also more lightweight, reducing their production costs.

Aluminum molds offer lower initial costs, rejection rates, and faster tooling production times. But steel molds are more durable, mainly when a high part volume is produced. However, aluminum is softer than steel, making it easier to repair or modify if necessary.

They are built vertically

The mold manufacturing industry is vertically structured. Production molds can have as few as one cavity or as many as hundreds. The number of holes depends on the application and the production requirements. Prototypes are made using CNC machining or 3D printing. Consumer panels test them before they go into production. This provides valuable feedback that can be used to improve the product design. In addition, engineers can use prototypes to make changes to the product.

DISA introduced vertical molding in 1964 and has since installed more than 1,735 machines worldwide. The advantages of vertical molding include high productivity, low set-up time, and flexibility. It also produces harder, more accurate molds. Its latest models are cutting-edge in high-performance molding. 

They require high levels of polish

Molds are generally CNC-machined and are made of tool steel or aluminum. They have a negative of the part to be molded, a runner system, and internal water cooling channels. 

When choosing a mold manufacturer, make sure to consider the cost. The cost of a plastic injection mold varies depending on the material, quality, and degree of precision needed. A mold made of high-quality steel will likely be more expensive than one made of cheaper steel, but high-quality plastic molds will last for a long time.

They are expensive

While many manufacturers are under pressure to meet deadlines and keep costs to a minimum, the mold manufacturing industry is not without its share of expenses. Investing in a quality mold can help ensure consistent production and reduce costly production downtime. While using cheaper, low-quality molds may be tempting, and they will only cause problems and reduce your production productivity. Ultimately, this means missed deadlines and a broken supply chain, which is unsuitable for your company.

Depending on the complexity of the design, an injection mold can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $100,000 or more. The cost of steel is at an all-time high, but market indicators show that prices will decline significantly by 2021. Using aluminum for some parts is also cost-effective, especially for low-volume products. Ultimately, the cost of an injection mold is determined by the number of hours the mold maker has to spend machining the material.

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