Kaysun’s tool building capabilities offers our customers quick response to manage costs and to provide ongoing product quality for your program. As part of our complete array of plastic injection molding services, our engineers manage the process of tool design, build and maintenance for our clients. Our goal is to maximize the longevity and quality of the tool and manage this significant investment.
The tool—the mold—is the most important investment OEMs can make to ensure the quality of their plastic parts. We think of it as the heart of the injection molding process: a high-quality mold yields high-quality components. Choosing the right material for the mold is as crucial as selecting the appropriate polymer. The main factors to consider are:
- the size of the production run
- the complexity of the part
- the finish quality needed
- the material to be molded (some plastics are corrosive; others contain abrasive glass fibers)
The hardest metals, such as H13 steel, are best for high-volume, high-complexity parts. Softer metals, such as aluminum, can be sufficient for smaller runs and simpler parts. In general, the softer the metal, the easier and less expensive it is to machine. This diagram compares the expected tool life of aluminum, P20 carbon steel, and H13 hardened steel according to the size of the production run:
The tool is a big investment and a critical driver in supporting the ongoing product quality of the molded part. Count on our insight and expertise to help you evaluate the right design and material for your tool to achieve both your quality and investment requirements.
For additional information on the important considerations in tool building, click here to read “Complex Injection Molding for Competitive Advantage”, Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry.