Check out these injection vowin.cn/en/News/news1251.html' target='_blank'>vowin.cn/' target='_blank'>molding FAQs to learn more about tooling options and volumes offered.

Q: What is the difference between hard and soft tooling?

A: Soft tooling is typically considered prototype tooling and uses aluminum tools. This is used to get parts quickly for production testing from the final materials and to test the design. Tools are usually only good for a couple thousand parts. Hard tooling is considered production tooling. Usually, tools are created using steel for better tolerancing, repeatable cycles, reduced cycle times, and better tool life. We use both tooling methods depending on project requirements.

Q: What is rapid tooling?

A: This is a common term for prototype tooling. For us, we will create prototype aluminum tooling that will be good for a couple thousand parts in 3-4 weeks. We also can create rapid 3D printed tools that are typically good for small parts, with low heat materials and low volumes of 10-100 parts in 1-2 weeks.

Q: What is MUD or insert set tooling?

A: MUD or insert set tooling are modular tools where the core and cavity are created in different sizes that fit into standard MUD bases. They can be aluminum or steel. This is to reduce mold build times, material costs, setup time, and inventory space. This type of tooling is used for smaller- to medium-sized parts, but good for all different quantities.

Q: What is the difference between a handload and a slide?

A: A handload or a slide are pieces of a tool that are needed to create the features that are not in the line of draw when trying to open a tool. In both cases, the tool sections must be removed from the tool before the tool can open.

With a handload, the operator must physically remove the tool section themselves to open and close a tool for molding. Handloads should be easily handled and should not be too large or heavy. Using handloads in tools is a great way to reduce tool cost, but part cost increases with longer cycle times. This is a good option for prototype, bridge, and low-volume tools for smaller- or medium-sized parts.

With a slide, this function of the molding process is done automatically without labor. Slides in tools increase initial tool costs but reduce costs in the long run by cutting cycle times and risk of issues with operator handling. Use slides in your tools when you want to reduce risk, piece prices, and/or for consistent high volumes.

Q: How many parts can you make from an injection mold tool?

A: This varies based on multiple factors, including mold type, mold material, part material, and part geometry. As a standard:

• 3D printed tools = 10-100 shots
• Rapid prototype aluminum tools = 2,500 shots
• Production aluminum tools = 10,000-20,000 shots
  • With a special hard-coats, we can get up to 50,000 shots
• Production steel tools = 50,000+ shots

Q: What is overmolding?

A: Overmolding is the process in which we mold a plastic part “over” a substrate part. The substrate part is typically a rigid part in either plastic or metal. We then “overmold” an elastomeric or rigid material onto or around the substrate. Examples of this are rigid handles with soft grips. To do this, we would create two separate tools, one tool for the substrate and the other tool for the overmold. These can be in the same tool or different tools but must be separate cavities.

Q: What volumes can you mold?

A: We are set up as a flexible, custom injection molding facility with the ability to do multiple mold changes in a day. That said, we do injection molding volumes anywhere between 25 to over a million parts per year.

Q: When should I use injection molding?

A: Injection molding is best for high-volume production for low-cost parts. Consistent, repeatable parts and processing is required and chances of design changes are low.