Although proper planning is essential to any process, it is especially crucial in regard to designing a custom injection mold. The reason for this is due to the fact that thee are a wide variety of factors that will be impacted by the successful design of this mold. If any aspect of the design fails to live up to the potential it can have a lasting negative impact on not only the design but also company finances and production.
Design Considerations
Part Design:
Reap the rewards of dividends down the road by simplifying geometry and minimizing the number of parts early in the design process. This can be done by keeping injection molding in mind from the start.
Tool Design:
Using moldflow software like Solidworks Plastics will help you consider gate locations and run simulations to make sure the mold tool is designed to prevent defects during production.
Financial Considerations
Entry Cost:
It is important to understand upfront that a large initial investment is required to prepare a product for injection molded manufacturing. Although this can deter individuals, the long financial benefits to a properly design injection mold often persuades those on the fence.
Production Quantity:
Find out how injection mold can be the most cost-effective method of manufacturing by determining the number of parts that will be produced until you break even. Considerations include design cost, testing, production, assembly, marketing, and distribution.
Production Considerations
Cycle Time:
When you’re producing millions of parts small changes can make a big difference and cutting a few seconds from your cycle time can translate into big savings. Minimize cycle time can be done by Using machines with hot runner technology.
Assembly:
The cheap cost of assembling simple parts during an injection molding run is much of the reason injection molding is done in southeast Asia. You will save significant money on the cost of labor if you design your part to minimize assembly.
Contact Lee Plastics for Custom Injection Molding!
Talk to us today to find out why we enjoy long-term relationships with our customers. We’re always ready to help and would be pleased to work with you. Reach out today by calling (978) 422-7611!