Are you looking for a mold maker for your custom project in China or from others countries? Five-Star Tooling has developed a complete customer guide that can help you in kick-starting your custom mold maker search.
It outlines certain basic questions and answers that one must look for when searching for a mold maker in China or from others countries.
Keep reading:
Chapter 1: What is a custom mold?
five-star tooling custom mold makerCustom Mold is a hollow block of any desired shape that is designed to make custom products out of it. To get the desired shape out of the molds, you need to fill the material into the patterns, and when the form is in place, it’s de-molded.
Any super-material can be able to use to manufacture the mold, such as Aluminum, prehardened steel, S50C, P20, P20H, 718H, NAK80, 1.2714, 1.2311, 1.2738, 1.2344, 1.2343 ESR, 1.2767, H13, 8407, 420 SS, S136, A2, S-7, D2, 4140, M390, S600，Mold Max, Ampco, etc.
It depends on the purpose end product that is expected to get ready using the mold. Therefore a custom mold has to be highly precise in terms of the provided specification of the custom mold design.
Getting the custom mold made is based on the precise measurements that will ensure that no problems arise later on.
Design and measurements of custom mold demand a lot of care and accuracy. An ideal custom mold manufacturer will keep every aspect of the design in mind during the production process.
Roles of a custom mold
A custom mold is a high-quality mold that is made according to the specifications and unique requirements of a client. It takes not only precision instruments and right calculations, but also years of expertise to come up with the best custom mold. It’s both art and science combined.
five-star custom mold maker picMold can be customized in many different shapes and purposes. It’s the hollow shape that is going to shape the end product. The end products can have different components as well, and when combined, the mold and components make the complete final desired product.
Therefore the role of a custom mold is quite critical to ensure that the quality is derived throughout, and the end product fits well with the end product, keeping all components fitting in view. Components can be anything like inserts, pins, lifters, and sliders, etc.
Difference between mold makers and component makers
A custom mold maker takes precise design specifications and develops a hallow shape as per the end product’s design, shape, and purpose. Whereas the component maker takes care of the production of the different additional equipment that is required to shape up the end product out of a mold.
When is it necessary to seek services of a mold maker?
There are several obvious reasons to consider seeking services of a custom mold maker when it comes to the point when you need the end product to be flawless and to integrate well with all other components. With these goals in mind, a user will see the professional services of a mold maker.
A professional and reliable custom mold maker will:
Take exact measurements of the mold so that the custom mold can be able to use for the desired purpose.
Note down any requirements to ensure the final product fulfills all the customer expectations.
Ensure both design, testing and strength testing are given equal importance.
Ensure that total quality assurance during the manufacturing process should be maintained.
Ensure that the final inspection highlights any problems before shipping the custom mold to the end customer.
Chapter 2: How to Inspect Your Custom Mold
five-star inspects your custom mold picThe precision and accuracy needed for the quality and flawless custom mold have been explained well at the beginning of the article.
Yet you should know that a reliable and experienced custom mold maker will ensure the quality of custom molds only through extensive testing and inspection before sending it through the final production and to the final customers.
Testing of Molds
The process of ensuring the quality starts with the prototyping of the desired product and testing the prototype to match the initial customer design.
Before giving a full-throttle production run to the full order, the given precise measurement of the desired mold is crafted into the engineering specification and design diagrams, and a batch is manufactured. The sample of molds is tested to match the desired output, and if approved, it moves to the full production.
Chapter 3: Making custom molds from China to Global
The manufacturing of custom molds is happening in many countries now. You can easily find a list of custom mold makers in each country using an online search. Each country has its own economy and set of parameters that may impact the production, delivery, and cost of getting custom molds from there.
Making Molds in the USA
The spread of custom mold making in the USA is in many states, including New Jersey, Taxes, Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc. These manufacturers have established a larger volume in terms of custom mold making annual sales. The benefits of having your custom mold made in the USA while you are in the USA could be low shipping cost or delivery time. Other than that, you will not find a major difference in terms of price points.
However, having a domestic custom manufacturer may incur additional costs in terms of heavy taxes on the local manufacturers by the US government. So you have to make a careful review of end price points considering low or no taxes from importing it from China.
Making Mold in Japanese
Japan is another destination for finding custom mold makers for different industries and businesses. Different types of custom mold making, such as plastic molds, die-casting molds, glass or blow molds, etc. You can find relevant makers online if looking for one in Japan only.
However, the price points on custom mold manufacturing won’t be different than getting it imported from China at better quality and from experienced professional teams.
Making Mold in Germany
Germany also has some good names in custom mold making, and domestic production is attractive to the locals there. Because even though there won’t be a custom mold manufacturer in each region, but that still would be cheaper than getting it from the USA or Japan or any father country.
Depending upon the design requirements, complexity, a number of custom molds in order, and the usage in the industry will impact the pricing. Getting it from a local maker while you are in Germany too may sound convenient, but getting a quality custom from China than any other country would be an option with both quality and cost-effectiveness.
Making Mold in South Korea
South Korea also has a list of local custom mold makers in different areas of the country. Prices for locals don’t involve considerable shipping cost or freights, so it can be a lucrative option for getting it local while the need is in South Korea. However, the prices for other countries won’t make any difference.
Making Mold in Italy
Some of the local makers of custom molds are operations for decades, and hence there is a good list of suppliers for the nationals of Italy. A variety of mold making techniques are in practice as well. While the local production may keep the cost low, but you won’t see any substantial difference in overall prices for other country imports.
Making Mold in Switzerland
You can find plastic and other material injection molds in Switzerland as well. A lot of industries there are fulfilling the need for custom mold making from the local makers operating for many years now. These manufacturers can produce a number of custom molds using different types of materials.
Making Mold in France
France has some good custom mold makers for the production of rubber molds, steel molds, etc. Which are produced by using different custom mold making techniques. The prices depend more or less similar to the price points more on those specific requirements of the end customers.
Making Mold in Austria
There are about 120 custom mold makers in Austria. This definitely sounds like a good number considering that there is definitely a need for custom mold manufacturers in Austria and surrounding regions. The locals prefer staying close to the production sites so that any communication can happen promptly. However, getting it from Austria would be cheaper than getting it from China, that’s not guaranteed.
Making Mold in India
India also holds a good reputation in the availability of custom mold makers in Asia. Custom molds are made for several industries. The low cost of production, manpower, and economic factors, all play a role in lower production costs and hence the low price points.
However, the selection of a reliable and ideal custom mold manufacturer isn’t just the price point. It depends on several other factors, including price, team, reviews, pricing methods, shipping methods, etc. All of these are needed to be reviewed with utmost care and attention.
Considering all these factors combined together, you will find a lot of options in China to find an ideal custom mold maker in China. Coming up next is the ultimate brief on elements that you can consider to choosing the perfect custom mold maker in China.
Chapter 4: Elements to consider when choosing the ideal Custom mold maker in China
choosing your custom mold maker picSo far, it is clear that having your custom molds produced and shipped from China is the most feasible solution when it comes to buying custom molds from any country such as the USA, Japan, and France, etc. Still, you must be wondering what the important points or a checklist for choosing one custom mold maker from thousands of others from China are.
Here is the guide for you to evaluate the best custom mold maker in China.
Pricing of Custom Molds
The price points would vary based on the designs, specifications, size, and complexity involved in mold design. So you can carefully review what variants of price points are being offered by the custom mold manufacturer and count in the factors that impact the variation in price points.
Five-Star Tooling was offering variant price points according to the mold specifications and desired quality of the custom module by the customer.
Design and Delivery of the Custom Mold Design
The design of the custom mold is included in the quoted price. The design is engineered according to the precise requirements provided by the end customer. Though the design creation depends, vary, and is subject to individual customers or projects, yet two weeks can take in getting the custom mould design crafted and approved by the end customer.
Five-Star Tooling has experienced a team of design engineers who can take up and convert your specific custom mold requirements in as little time as possible and with the accurate implementation of custom mold requirements.
Selection of Custom Mold Material
The selection of durable and reliable materials is a very crucial point which can make or break the experience of end customer if the custom mold fails by the time it reaches the end customer. So the custom mold maker should ensure the quality of the material used.
Five-Star Tooling has acquired certifications in choosing the best quality steel in the custom mold making. We can provide reliable evidence to ensure the quality of the material used.
Testing and Sampling
A reliable custom mold manufacturer performs sampling and testing of custom molds before the final full production. Such samples are provided to customers for initial screening, and when approved, the full production run is executed.
The sample is provided to customers with final production as well, so that the quality of the custom mold stays intact from sampling to the final product delivered to the customer. Five-Star Tooling ensures the quality of custom mould production using the same method to stay accurate from beginning to end.
Payment Terms
A reliable custom mold manufacturer would show flexibility in terms of payment breakdown so that both manufacturer and customer are safe in case a mismatch of expectations appear in the custom mold production.
Five-Star Tooling also works in payment breakdown methods. 40% is received in advance with custom production specifications, remaining is broken down into two parts, the first 30% is charged to the client approval of the sample, and rest is charged before the final shipment of the custom mold.
Shipping Methods
The shipping method’s reliability also plays a vital role in making an everlasting impression on the end customer, so a reliable custom mold manufacturer will only use reliable and fast shipping methods.
Five-Star Tooling operates with multiple shipper vendors such as DHL, FedEx, TNT, and UPS. Depending upon the customer requirements, the shipping can also be done via sea. However, the regular shipping may deliver the product in 5 ~ 7 days by air while via sea, it may take about a month.
Communication and Reachability of Team
Another essential that is critical for any customer is the freedom to have two-way communication with the team. It is critical to ensure that the precision of understanding of custom mold requirements does not change throughout the entire process until the final delivery of the product.
Five-Star Tooling believes in prompt response and effective communication as well. Five-Star Tooling has experienced team members operating under proper project management practices. Once you choose us to get your custom molds built and shipped from China, we will meet you every week for work progress and any changes in the delivery plan if needed.
Chapter 5: Benefits and Shortcomings of Custom Mold
Custom molds are manufactured to cater to the specific requirements of the purpose of having the custom molds. There are a lot of benefits that are associated with having a custom mold manufactured for the specific need.
However, there are some shortcomings, as well. Let’s have a quick review:
Benefits of Custom Molds:
Accuracy and Efficiency
When custom molds are manufactured using the precise requirements of the customer based on the end product, it increases the accuracy of the fact that the product will be as per the required precisions and will fit well with the other components. Hence, the overall efficiency of the operations is guaranteed and increased.
Low Production Cost
When you have an accurate custom mold in place, the need for manual handling labor goes down, and most of the work is automated using the custom molds to just fill in the material and get the final product.
Finishing of Product
The custom molds are manufactured, tested, and approved before the final production. The molds are accurate and 100% similar. Hence, the finishing is remarkable. All the products coming out of the custom molds look flawless, and there is no margin of error in shape or design.
Shortcomings or Limitations of Custom Molds:
Higher Price Points
Since the overall efficiency, accuracy, and shape of the end product depend on this single factor, that is the manufacturing of flawless custom molds. And these are made, tested, approved and handled by professionals with years of experience. The price points are higher. The prices are also higher due to the expensive machinery to manufacture custom injection molds.
However, investing in a custom mold is worth an investment to save a lot of related expenses and keep the production cost low and having less manual labor (which eliminates human errors as well).
Chapter 6: Shipping Methods for your custom mold from China
There are two types of main shipping ways when you get your custom mold made in China.
1.By Air
2. By Sea
By air, you can use multiple courier services such as DHL, FedEx, TNT, and UPS. The prices, delivery time, and cost of delivery depend upon the number of articles being shipped, location, etc. Then delivery by air may take 5 ~ 7 days roughly.
By sea, it may be cheaper in terms of cost as the cost is shared by a lot of other companies using the same ship for delivery of other products as well.
However, by sea shipping method is not advisable if you need a rushed delivery as the shipment through sea would take approximately a month of time for the custom molds to reach the destination from China.
Chapter 7: Making Custom mold from China FAQs – Here’s All Clarifications on order from China
There are some commonly asked questions when it comes to getting your custom mold made in China and imported from China. Let’s address these here, so you don’t have to look for such common things anywhere else:
Q: What can custom mold makers offer from China?
Ans: Custom mold manufacturer from China will take your custom requirements of molds as per your product need and will have it delivered at your doorstep regardless of wherever in the world you are living.
Q: How can I approach custom mold makers in China?
Ans: These custom mold makers are available via email, call, or in-person meeting if you can travel to China. Five-Star Tooling, also have a dedicated team sitting there to entertain initial queries via emails or calls.
Q: What information will be needed to get a quote from a custom mold maker in China?
Ans: A detailed email would be sufficient, which you can send to Five-Star Tooling containing your industry, product description, precise measurements, components, quantity needed, design files (if any). Basically, whatever you have in mind or in actual to share with Five-Star Tooling, your custom mold maker to give you initial feedback and price.
Q: Are prices the same for all custom molds made in China?
Ans: Not really, the final price per custom mold piece depends on several other factors such as design, shape, cavity, complexity, other precision components, the technique of molding, and machinery used to make custom molds. So the price will vary from vendor to vendor.
Q: How do you ensure communication with me is being done right?
Ans: Five-Star Tooling has a dedicated project team that ensures weekly communication with the customer and operates with a complete project plan to ensure the progress in on time as per the committed timelines.
Q: Do I pay for custom mold upfront?
Ans: Not for all, it varies from vendor to vendor. At Five-Star Tooling, you will be paying 40% in advance and 30% with approval of the prototype. It helps to ensure that the specific requirements are met with the made custom mold. The rest of the payment is due before the final shipment.
Q: How will you ensure the quality of the custom mold is precise and accurate to my requirements?
Ans: At Five-Star Tooling, the quality of work is ensured with time to time meetings and communication with the client. Not everything is rushed into final production at once. A prototype is manufactured, approved by you, and then the full production run starts. All these ensure the quality of custom mold making.
Q: Can you do a rush project to manufacture a quality custom mold for me?
Ans: No, no one should do that for you. Custom mold making projects take months due to the fact that these are to be manufactured flawlessly based on each customer’s unique requirements. Hence, no rush techniques are available.
Q: Is it safe to import such expensive custom molds from China?
Ans: Indeed, it is safe. Multiple shipping agents have been doing this for many years now, so you can safely import from China.
Conclusion
Custom mold making is a known and grown industry; you will see many makers around the globe. While many would take advantage of domestic custom mold makers in their own countries, many others look for reliable, safe, and secure options to import from other countries.
When it comes to importing or getting your custom mold made, China is the safest option in terms of reliable and accurate custom mold making. Five-Star Tooling has earned high credibility over the years of services in China and importing to other countries.
All your fears are catered under one roof, with a proactive management team and state of the art mold making machinery. All you have to do is to write an email with your detailed specifications regarding the custom mold, and the rest is handled very professionally by the Five-Star Tooling team.