Injection Mold Parameters and Material Options
A mold quotation should not rely on a single generic specification table. The parameters below are review items: final steel, cavity, runner, tolerance and approval requirements are confirmed against the drawing, resin, volume, appearance zones and production location.
Important: values such as mold life, lead time or part tolerance are project-specific. They are not guaranteed until the mold concept and acceptance criteria are agreed in writing.
| Parameter | Options or required input | How it is confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Product data | STEP/STP model, 2D drawing, reference sample or dimensioned images | Revision and critical dimensions recorded before DFM |
| Plastic material | PP, ABS, PC, PA, POM, PMMA and other molding grades subject to application review | Strength, appearance, temperature, chemical, UV and cost requirements |
| Mold steel | P20, 718H, S136, NAK80 or another agreed grade | Expected volume, resin wear, surface finish, corrosion and maintenance plan |
| Mold base / components | LKM, DME, HASCO or project-specific standards | Destination factory, spare-part strategy and buyer standard |
| Cavities and runner | Single or multi-cavity; cold or hot runner | Part volume, balance, gate mark, cycle and investment trade-off |
| Gate / parting / ejection | Defined through DFM | Flow path, appearance zones, undercuts, demolding force and automation |
| Cooling | Conventional channels, inserts or project-specific circuit strategy | Part geometry, hot spots, cycle target and dimensional stability |
| Part tolerance | Feature-specific, not a blanket value | Resin shrinkage, geometry, datum scheme, tool/process capability and measurement method |
| Surface finish | Polish, texture, coating, printing or other secondary process | Approved sample, appearance standard and protected zones |
| Trial and approval | T0/T1 or project-defined trial sequence | Samples, molding settings, dimensional results and open-issue list |
| Project records | Steel/material records, DFM, trial settings, inspection and packing evidence as agreed | Document list fixed in the quotation or quality plan |
Examples From De-identified Projects
Actual files in the project archive show why parameters must be decided together.
Planter coolingSeparate moving- and fixed-half cooling layouts were reviewed for three related mold sizes.
C-clip material trialTwo PP variants were compared before the buyer selected the production option.
Toy fit toleranceMachine limits, soft-material shrinkage and interlocking fit were reviewed as one system.
Holder appearanceMaterial, flatness, finish and magnetic backing were checked through successive samples.
Define the Right Mold Specification
Send the part model, resin, expected volume, appearance standard and critical dimensions. We will organize the missing inputs before quotation.