Minimize number of test mold
Many mold companies calculate processing cost of mold based on number of days from receiving orders to qualified mold. If mold has been tested several times and cannot be delivered, the longer mold stays in factory, the more processing costs it will have except for penalty according to contract. Of course, cost of test mold is also very considerable. Therefore, multiple or uncontrollable test mold times is a large blind spot for mold cost control.
Let’s analyze reasons for many times mold is tested:
First, mold design has not undergone sufficient collective review, mold structure is unreasonable, so that mold has to undergo many improvements after trial, cause mold cost exceeds budget.
It is fortunate if you can get it after several improvements, you can get it. There are many cases that are unsatisfactory. Even if mold is to be scrapped and reworked, cost cannot be controlled. There are also some cases where mold design is very good, but processing of mold is not in place, which makes number of trials increase without any reason, directly increasing cost of mold. There is no objection to this problem, so many mold companies have increased their investment in measuring equipment.
Second, model for the best molding process and model of injection molding machine is not selected well. Mold is well done, but injection molded product is not ideal. Number of trials is increased without any reason, which directly increases cost of mold. This is a common problem in some small mold factories.
Third, the physical properties of plastics are not fully understood, and even the shrinkage rate is not accurate, such a situation has occurred from time to time. Therefore, before designing the mold, it is necessary to understand the physical properties of the plastic, in order to effectively reduce the number of trials.
Mold materials and standard parts procurement
Choose a stable, reputable supplier. It is a pity that if mold is out of order due to cheapness and sloppy purchases. Always there are many similar cases in the field of mold. Although it is possible to hold supplier accountable, the biggest loss is mold company and mold user.
Conformity
If we say, we used 100,000 yuan to request a mold for a car glove box. The plastic used is PA+30% GF, injection cycle is 30 seconds, and die life is 300,000. As a result, mold was made well, and size and physical properties of sample were also achieved. However, because injection was difficult, injection cycle took 60 seconds, and after 100,000 pieces produced, it could not be used. In order to catch up with vehicle, another mold must be opened again. According to original mold situation, it is necessary to order 3 sets of molds at once. It spends so much money, I think cost of this set of molds is three times or six times original budget.
In summary, in order to effectively control cost of mold, it must be done:
Reasonable product design, minimal design changes, perfect mold design and processing flow, good communication between product engineers and mold engineers.
The article comes from China injection mold manufacturer - Mold Best Assurance Company Limited, website is www.mbamoldanddesign.com
