Custom Injection Molding Service | Worldwide Plastic Injection Molding Company & Factory

Mold manufacturing produces various types of molds, each with distinct processes tailored to specific applications. Common mold types include injection molds, die-casting molds, stamping molds, forging molds, extrusion molds, and blow molding molds, each differing in their mold-making methods:

1. Injection Molds – Focus on numerical control processing, cooling system design, and surface polishing for precision plastic molding.
2. Die-Casting Molds – Require special steel, surface treatment, and venting design to withstand high-temperature metal casting.
3. Stamping Molds – Emphasize clearance control and quenching treatment for accurate metal sheet forming.
4. Forging Molds – Involve forging blanks, multiple processing steps, and strict heat treatment for enhanced strength and durability.
5. Extrusion Molds – Prioritize runner design and processing to ensure uniform material flow in continuous shaping.
6. Blow Molding Molds – Typically made from aluminum alloys, focusing on mold cavity surface quality and cooling system design for hollow plastic products.

At GBM Mold, we specialize in injection mold making and die-casting mold making, delivering high-quality solutions tailored to diverse industry needs. Currently, we do not provide services for other mold types.

The time required to manufacture a mold varies based on complexity, size, and processing requirements. Generally:

• Simple and small molds – 1 to 2 weeks
• Medium complexity molds – 2 to 4 weeks
• Large and complex molds – 3 months to 6 months

Different types of molds have distinct production timelines:

• Injection molds – Typically 2 to 6 weeks, with high-precision or complex molds requiring 8+ weeks.
• Die-casting molds – Small molds take 3 to 6 weeks, while larger and more intricate molds can exceed 3 months due to stringent material and process requirements.

These timelines may vary based on mold design, machining precision, and additional treatments.

Injection Mold Materials:

P20 Steel – Pre-hardened with excellent machinability and polishability, making it ideal for medium and small molds with general precision.

718 Steel – Enhanced with nickel for improved toughness and hardenability, making it suitable for large, complex, and high-precision molds.

Die-Casting Mold Materials:

H13 Steel – A hot-work die steel with superior toughness, thermal fatigue resistance, and wear resistance, widely used in die-casting molds.

3Cr2W8V Steel – Notable for its high-temperature strength, hardness, and thermal stability, making it a great choice for aluminum and magnesium alloy die-casting molds while maintaining a balanced cost-performance ratio.

Selecting the right material is crucial for optimizing both mold performance and manufacturing costs.

After mold manufacturing is completed, professional mold manufacturers typically provide maintenance and care guidance, covering daily cleaning, lubrication, rust prevention, and special precautions based on the mold type. Maintenance costs vary depending on the complexity and size of the mold.

Cost Breakdown:

• Daily Maintenance: Relatively low-cost, including cleaning supplies and lubricants, typically ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars per session.

Regular Maintenance:

• Simple & Small Molds: Several hundred to around $1,000–$2,000 per session.
• Large & Complex Molds (Injection/Die-Casting): Several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per session.

Repair Costs:

• Minor Repairs: Hundreds to several thousand dollars.
• Major Repairs: Can exceed tens of thousands of dollars, especially if it significantly disrupts production.

For customers using First Mold’s injection molding services, we provide free mold maintenance and care, ensuring optimal performance without additional costs.

To ensure smooth demolding and high-quality product formation when designing molds for ABS injection molding, the following factors must be considered:

1. Draft Angles – Apply adequate draft angles (typically 1° to 3°) to facilitate easy demolding and prevent part sticking.
2. Shrinkage Compensation – ABS has a shrinkage rate of 0.4% to 0.9%, so mold dimensions must be designed to compensate for this.
3. Venting System – Proper venting channels help release trapped air and prevent defects like burn marks and voids.
4. Cooling System – Uniform cooling ensures consistent part quality, preventing warping and internal stress.
5. Gate Design – Direct gates or fan gates are commonly used for ABS to ensure smooth material flow and reduce weld lines.
6. Surface Finish – Ensure mold surfaces are properly polished to reduce friction and improve part ejection.

Material Compatibility – Use wear-resistant steel for the mold to handle the slightly abrasive nature of ABS resin.