TOPWORKS PLASTIC MOLD

Tips to Make the Mold

Buying Process Easier

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wind up making changes to your part design while the mold is being
produced, you will be unlikely to get the mold at the price quoted, or to the
original timeframe. Any changes will mean the mold has to be altered

It can be complicated to buy a mold, as there will likely be a lot of back and

accordingly, which adds to both the cost and the time of the mold build.

forth between buyer and seller before the final product is settled on.

Know in advance when your mold will be. There are different definitions for

However, the following tips can help save you plenty of time, and make the

a completion date- they could range from when the final payment is made,

whole process that little bit easier.

to when you receive a sample part, to shipment of the final product. In most
cases, a mold is considered complete when it is ready to produce the part it

Create an RFQ that goes into a lot of details.As skilled as moldmakers are,

is intended for. The majority of moldmakers will be willing to make small

they wont be able to read your mind when it comes to what youre looking

changes towards the end of the process in order to make a part according to

for. Include as many specifics as you can at this stage, including the number

print dimensions. If these dimensions change late in the game, then the

of cavities, the steel, the desired lifespan of your mold, and any guarantees

mold may still be considered complete- any additional changes will have to

that you might need. If you arent too sure on any of these topics, then tell

be paid for via an engineering change order, or ECO.

your moldmaker, and they will be able to help you settle on whats right for

If something is cheap, theres usually a reason behind it. While there will

your needs. The more accurate you make your RFQ, the more accurate a

be moldmakers out there who offer a cheaper-than-average rate for a

quote you will receive in return.

quality product, there will be plenty of others who offer discounts because

Be open about why you want a quote. If you simply need a general quote to

they cut costs themselves. In the long run, its better to pay good money for

pass on to another department, then let the moldmaker know- they will

a high-quality product, instead of getting stung by a mold that doesnt meet

then be able to get back to you quickly. Creating an accurate quote can take

your standards.

a lot of time, and its not fair to waste the moldmakers time if you dont

When buying a mold, that age-old adage is certainly true- you get what you

need that much detail, or if you might not even buy from them.

pay for. Any molded components that you produce will only be as good as

Dont infringe on a moldmakers intellectual property. The ideas and

the mold that you used to make them, so you should ensure your mold is

suggestions offered by your moldmaker remain their intellectual property-

perfectly suited to your needs- before you buy it.

you cant simply take those suggestions to someone else to do it for you. If
you settle on a different moldmaker, then take their suggestions on boardnot only is using someone elses ideas not okay, but it could also confuse the
final moldmaker, who wont understand exactly why those suggestions were
made in the first place.
Think about forming a partnership with your moldmaker. By working
closely with your moldmaker when it comes to budgets, timetables, and
part quantity expectations, youll be able to work as a team to achieve
better results in the long run.
Keep an open line of communication with your moldmaker throughout the
process. Plenty of moldmakers will be happy to provide regular progress
reports, and keep you updated on the latest developments with your build.
Its important that you know everything is proceeding to schedule, so if you
need any information, be sure to ask so that you can put your mind at ease.
Ensure you always make your payments on time. Most moldmakers work to
a tight budget, and require expenses to be paid up-front before they can
proceed with your build. If you delay making payments, then you wont get
your mold on time- its as simple as that. Different moldmakers will offer
different payment plans, so talk with them to figure out a plan that works
for both of you.
Changing your part design will likely mean changing the mold itself. If you