Choose the Proper Gate Location in Injection Molds

The gate is the mechanism that allows the plastic resin to flow into the mold, and every plastic part design must take careful consideration of the type and the location of gates.  There are various styles of gating mechanisms typically used in injection molding, and each style will have an effect on the finished product.  The style of gating chosen can affect the visual appearance of the part, the likelihood of warping or sink marks, and proper packing to meet dimensional tolerances.

Avoid Defects from Gate Location

To avoid defects when processing, place your gate location at the heaviest cross section for maximum fill and packing to avoid sinks and voids.  Experienced mold designers will also know when to consider adding a second gate location, which may be necessary in complex geometrical shapes to obtain proper fill throughout the part.  

The location of the gate should allow for automatic or manual de-gating, designed with the minimal length of flow path to minimize visual flow marks.   In cold runner molds, the part is usually ejected attached to the runner and gate, de-gating removes the part from the runner system.  Some processes include automatic de-gating with robotic arms that grab the runner out of the mold separating it from the part or parts.  

Gates in Hot-Runner Tools

There are basically two types of gating systems used in hot-runner tools, where the plastic is injected directly into the cavity to avoid runners altogether.  In a hot-runner tool, the gate may be either a thermal (or hot-tip) gate, or a valve gate.  The hot-tip gate solidifies the resin at the tip nozzle immediately upon high pressure injection into the cavity, stopping the flow of plastic to the cavity.  

A valve gate is used when the plastic may not solidify completely upon injection, and therefore a valve slides over to cover the nozzle tip and stop the flow of resin.  Either type is effective and cost efficient when used properly in a hot-runner system mold.  

Michiana Global Mold is experienced with constructing cold and hot-runner tools, with various styles of gating mechanisms involved.  We are skilled with determining the optimum gate location for precision molds required to produce complex geometrical parts.

Michiana Global Mold has been exceeding customer expectation with high performing injection molds since 1964.  We have vast experience with all types of molds and mold base components. Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to speak with one of our knowledgeable design engineers.  

Plastic Part Design to Avoid Sink and Warp

Plastic injection mold designers must consider the resin chosen for the part manufacturing when designing the mold as this plays a very important role in meeting part specifications.  One characteristic of the plastic material that requires careful consideration is the cooling rate compared to the geometry of the part.

What is Sink

This plays an important role in the likelihood of parts developing sinks or warps, and can have significant consequences on successfully molding parts with consistent results.  The cooling rate is extremely important because as the part begins to cool it will always begin at the mold surface and move inward, toward the center.  If the geometry of the part is such that the part is too thick, the center area of the part will not solidify quickly enough.  This center stays molten long enough for it to cause stress on the area already solidified, pulling downward towards the center and leaving a sink mark on the outer surface.  

Avoid Sink in Plastic Parts with This Rule of Thumb

Ribs are used to add strength to plastic parts in thin wall or critical areas, but can also cause sink marks on the exterior side of the part.  When designing plastic parts to avoid sink marks, remember the basic rule to keep the thickness of the rib somewhere around 60% the thickness of the wall.  Following this rule of thumb should help to avoid sink marks during the cooling process.  

What is Warp

If a plastic part design includes areas of uneven wall thickness, stress can develop during the cooling and solidifying stage.  If this stress is excessive, warps will occur where thinner sections solidify faster than thicker sections.  

Avoid Warp in Plastic Part Design

When undue stresses due to transitions in wall thickness occur, plastic part designers can combat this by using a ramp.  Designers also use gussets in corners of some geometric areas to help prevent warping.  

Michiana Global Mold is an injection mold design and construction company with extensive experience in designing precision tools for complex injection molded parts.  Our skilled designers have vast knowledge of injection molding with various resins, and designing a mold to avoid common pitfalls in manufacturing.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to speak with one of our knowledgeable engineers.

Determine Proper Ejection Method for Injection Mold Design

Injection mold design includes design of the optimum ejection system to meet part specification.  While ejector pins are most commonly used, there are other methods of ejection systems that are required in specific situations.

Ejector pins are round, and used to extend into the cavity to push the part out during mold opening so that the parts fall out or are pulled out by a robot.  Pins are adequate in most situations, although some part designs require pins along with an alternative method, or a different method altogether.

Ejector blades can also be used for ejection if the part design requires it, and these have more of a rectangular geometry.  Ejector blades are often used in designs where a thin wall exists, thus an ejector pin may damage the part with force or pressure applied in a critical area.

Ejection sleeves are tubular, and are ideal in areas of raised surfaces.  These raised surfaces are designed to assist with assembly in some designs, for example a raised hole at the end of a vertical part would be referred to as a boss.  Ejection sleeves provide 360° surface around the boss for easy part ejection with these types of part designs.

A stripper plate is another type of ejection system that consists of an entirely separate moving plate, that is designed to strip the part or parts from the core of the mold.  These are ideal in situations where you need to keep parts and runners separate, and are utilized in three-plate tool.  

Michiana Global Mold is a leading global injection mold design and construction company, with extensive experience in all types of ejection systems.  Our skilled mold designers and journeyman mold makers have extensive knowledge and experience with various types of mold construction.  We construct prototype molds with sample parts, cold runner or hot runner tools, shuttle molds, insert cavities and all aspects of injection mold design including engineering changes.

Michiana Global Mold was established in Indiana in 1964, serving various industries and specializing in complex, precision tools for the Automotive industry.  We offer a partner company in China with offshore mold making capabilities.  Both facilities are registered to ISO 9001 and follow strict quality management systems.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to speak with a skilled design engineer.  

What are the Differences of ISO 9001:2015 and 9001:2008

ISO 9001 is a set of internationally recognized standards that provides a uniform way of measuring a company’s internal quality systems.  ISO was first introduced in 1987, and is administered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.  

The latest version of ISO9001:2015 is replacing the prior version from 2008, as a new standard is introduced about every seven years.  When first introduced in 1987, the standards focused on documentation, saying what you do, and how you do it.  Defining job descriptions, work instructions, and quality checks and balances was a big part of the initial introduction of ISO standards.  

The updated version that came next in 1994 enhanced upon “say what you do”, and added “say what you do, and do what you say” (and prove it).   Further documentation was required to show that you are actually doing what you say you are doing.  Internal audits are emphasized with honest findings, and corrective actions.  

The ISO updates in 2000 turned focus to “continual improvement” and “customer satisfaction”.  Continual improvement projects must be identified, and customer satisfaction must be measured.   The ISO9001:2008 version went into greater depth of all prior versions, emphasizing processes, process owners, measurable goals and how they impact continual improvement and total customer satisfaction.  

With the most recent updates of ISO9001:2015, there is even greater emphasis on business management and leadership, and top-down management involvement.  Each employee should be aware of the organization’s mission statement, quality policy, and what their role is in achieving these goals.  Top management should be involved with communicating the quality management system, and the importance of each employee’s role to the organization.

ISO9001:2015 puts more emphasis on risk based thinking, and having contingency plans in place.  The bottom line is that businesses that adhere to an ISO compliant quality system are poised for the future, with quality systems in place that focus on total customer satisfaction.

Total customer satisfaction reaps many benefits in customer retention, increased volume of business, and new business referrals.  The efficiencies recognized when implementing ISO leads to cost-efficient improvements, thus saving time and money.  

Michiana Global Mold is a superior plastic injection mold designer registered to ISO9001:2015 in the United States, and ISO9001:2008 in China.  We offer offshore mold making options, rebate programs and high-volume discounts.  Contact us today for a FREE injection mold design consultation.  

Design Plastic Injection Molds to Press Specifications

A plastic injection mold designer must consider many factors when designing injection molds, including the press the mold will run in.  Knowing the press specifications is very important in order for the mold to operate properly, and most efficiently during injection molding production.  

Vertical Press Clamping System

The orientation of the clamping system is of course a very important consideration, as this determines whether the mold will open horizontally or vertically.  A vertical molding press is used in over-molding production, also called insert molding because the molten plastic is molded around an object.  An example would be an electrical wiring harness with plastic molded around a portion of it, clamps or even something like knives where the handle is molded around the metal.  

The insert in a vertical molding press can be either steel or even plastic.  A vertical press requires molds for the top and bottom, as a vertical molding press has a rotary table which holds at least two bottom (B) sides of the mold, while the top half (A) half comes down to close on the bottom half molding the part.  

There is usually one top half, and at least two or more bottom sides to the mold, so that when the A side is molding the part on the back of the table, another B side is in front of an operator or a robot loading an insert into the open mold.  Once molded, a robot or operator can unload the over-molded part from the mold, prior to loading new inserts into it.   Constructing molds for a vertical molding press is quite different than for a horizontal molding press, even though the concept is the same.  

Horizontal Molding Press

The most common type of injection molding operation is in a horizontal press, requiring an A side and B side, closing together on a horizontal plane to mold the parts.  When the horizontal mold opens for ejection, parts usually fall into a bin below or are grabbed by a robot and taken to an inspection area.  Most horizontal molding operations do not require an operator at the press, as the vertical over-molding jobs do without automated equipment.   

Horizontal molding presses are very efficient and non-labor intensive, with a top-quality high-performing injection mold, a horizontal molding operation can run for hours in a lights out environment.  

Regardless of whether the mold is for a vertical or horizontal press, the placement of water fittings and hoses is of the utmost importance in designing the tool.  The clamping pressure and press tonnage are also very relevant specifications, in order for the mold designer to calculate the pressure of the molding operation while also considering the material chosen and how it will flow into critical areas.  

Michiana Global Mold has decades of experience designing tools for various plastic injection molding environments, meeting tight tolerances with high performing, precision custom injection molds.  Download a FREE copy of our book “Design Considerations for Different Molds” for more information.

Michiana Global Mold has decades of experience designing and building precision custom injection molds for various industries. Contact us today to speak with one of our knowledgeable engineers for a FREE design consultation on your mold building requirements.  We can custom design molds for your applications, regardless of your molding environment.

Industry Leading Innovative Mold Makers

It takes an in-depth knowledge of the mold making industry, along with experience and resources to provide top quality high performing injection molds that meet demanding customer expectations.  Michiana Global Mold excels at manufacturing complex, precision tooling required of demanding industries such as the Automotive industry.  We have the knowledge, the experience and the expertise in constructing high quality injection molds meeting tight tolerances within +/- .001”.

Michiana Global Mold is one of the leading injection mold makers in the industry, employing a highly skilled staff of journeyman mold makers and top mold designers with vast experience constructing high performing complex tooling.  We excel at the precision components that other mold makers might shy away from, leading the industry with high-tech mold making equipment combined with vast experience and knowledge.  Recently featured on the “World’s Greatest” television show for our innovative mold making services, we are a valued supplier to the Automotive industry, meeting and exceeding our customer requirements.  

With locations in the Midwest, USA, and an offshore molding facility in China, we can offer high quality tooling at the best available cost to you.  Both of our locations are registered to ISO9001, adhering to our strict quality policy while performing continual improvement activities.  Total customer satisfaction is our number one goal.  

When you are searching for a new supplier for your injection molded needs, let Michiana Global Mold show you how we can assist with your procured mold making costs.  We more than 50 years of experience satisfying the stringent requirements of demanding industries with even the most challenging of injection mold designs.  

We are experienced with specialized CAM action, complicated ejector system and lifters, and will accommodate tooling to your molding environment and custom mounting systems for your presses.   Established in 1964, we have the expertise, the knowledge and resources to provide the best value with high quality and high performance tooling, at the lowest available cost to you.  

Contact Michiana Global Mold today to speak with one of our expert design engineers about a FREE design consultation, discounts and rebates on multi-tool projects.  We are one of the leading injection mold makers in the industry, providing complex precision tooling within your specifications, and on time.    

Offshore Injection Molds with Domestic Service

Michiana Global Mold, located in Mishawaka, Indiana, is a world class superior injection mold supplier with locations in the USA and China.  Our partnership with Modular Molds in China allows us to offer our customers offshore tooling with competitive prices, while still providing the same level of excellence they are accustomed to from our location in the United States.

Modular Molds is a large capacity, more than 40,000 square foot facility, with the capacity and resources to handle large and multi-tool programs.  This location has a primary focus on new tool builds, although any type of mold is available whether constructing inserts and cavities, or a partially completed full size mold to be finished in our Indiana location.   Our China location has the resources to provide full service injection mold making with additional resources to assure the highest of quality standards.

Modular Molds is also registered to ISO9001, just like our Indiana location, with both facilities following a strict quality policy with focus on continual improvement and total customer satisfaction.  Our China location offers use of the latest technology, such as:

• Mold-Flow Analysis
• Solid Works CAD software
• Unigraphics (NX7.5)
• AutoCAD
• Reverse Engineering
• PPAP Certifications

Both our Indiana location and our China location utilize the latest in technological advancements, with expertise in constructing complex, precision tooling.  Michiana Global Mold excels at custom mold making for tight tolerance, complex molds.  

The key to a quality part, begins with a quality tool.  At Michiana Global Mold, we offer the best in quality meeting our customer’s most demanding specifications, with quality tools delivered on time.  We offer offshore mold pricing with full domestic support.  All tools constructed in China undergo full inspection at our Indiana location prior to shipping.  We offer offshore molds with the same quality as our USA location, and discounts on multi-tool programs.  

Michiana Global Mold is your full service one stop shop for quality tooling and mold making services.  We have been manufacturing custom, precision injection molds for over 50 years, meeting and exceeding our customer expectations with quality tools delivered on time.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation, and learn how Michiana Global Mold will add value to your supply chain.

How is a Shuttle Mold Used?

A Shuttle mold is a mold system with one A side, and multiple B sides.  This is used in a vertical clamping press, as opposed to a horizontal clamping press.  A vertical clamping press is used for over molding, also referred to as insert molding.

Insert molding occurs when plastic is molded around an object such as a metal or even another plastic insert.  A shuttle mold system is used on a rotary table press so that there are two, three or sometimes four bottom sides, rotating around on the table allowing an operator or a robot to place the insert into the cavity in the mold.  When the bottom side spins around, the top half of the mold will come down vertically clamping onto the B side to mold plastic around the insert.  

This system can be labor intensive requiring an operator to load inserts, and unload molded product, unless the job is set up with automatic robots for this purpose.  This is different than most horizontal molding processes in which the there is one A and B side of the mold, sliding on a horizontal plane, coming together for the injection molding process, then the parts are automatically ejected with an ejector system falling into a desired location, usually a bin or box underneath the mold.  

Most horizontal injection molding jobs are fully automatic once the mold is set in the press, some can even run in a lights-out situation if automated auxiliary equipment is established.  A vertical molding press with a shuttle mold system typically employs an operator, although they can also be automated.  

Some examples of insert molding would be electrical wire harnesses that are partially encased in plastic, or even knives or silverware that have plastic molded around a metal object.   Shuttle molds are used in plastic injection molding for various industries including Electronics, Consumer Goods, Automotive, Aerospace and Military / Defense industries.  

Michiana Global Mold has experience constructing precision shuttle molds, and virtually any other type of plastic injection mold base used in various industries.  We are a valuable supplier to the Automotive industry with complex tools meeting tight geometrical dimensional specifications.  Contact Michiana Global Mold today, and ISO9001:2015 Registered mold maker.  

Injection Mold Designs for Various Molding Environments

When designing plastic injection molds, there are several factors to take into consideration including the molding environment in which the tool will run.  Of the utmost importance in mold design is the injection molding press specified for the production operation.  

Some presses have either a vertical or horizontal clamping system.  A vertical clamping system is typically used for shuttle molds, also referred to as insert molds, and is used for molding plastic around an insert usually made of plastic or steel.  The clamping system will open, allowing an operator to place an insert in the bottom half of the mold, prior to closing allowing plastic to flow around the insert.  This process is used to put a plastic or rubber like coating around an object such as knives for example, or electrical wiring harnesses requiring a housing to fit around a wire assembly.  Shuttle molds for vertical clamping presses will have at least two bottom (B) halves so that the molding is occurring on one side of the press while an operator is loading inserts on the open side.  This allows for maximum production even when an operator is required.

The typical injection mold will have a horizontal clamping system, opening on a horizontal plane and allowing parts to fall below into a bin or straight onto a conveyor belt when ejected.  Some horizontal molding operations are fully automatic and do not require an operator, once the mold is set in the press and proper parameters are set.  This is a very efficient method of molding, and several molders utilize this type of operation in a lights out automatic environment.  This, of course, requires a quality crafted precision tool to ensure a consistent molding process.  

The placement of water fitting and hoses is also of equal importance, as these lines cannot be in the way of the mold operating in the press.  The tonnage and clamping pressure of the press is needed when designing the mold, and the barrel capacity is required to ensure production requirements can be met.  Download a FREE copy of our book “Design Considerations for Different Molds” for more information.

Michiana Global Mold has over 500 years of combined experience designing and building precision custom molds for various industries. Contact us today to speak with one of our knowledgeable engineers for a free quotation on your mold building requirements.  We can custom design molds for your applications, regardless of your molding environment.

Cost Saving Options for Prototype Tools

The Value of a Prototype Mold

Constructing a prototype mold for testing purposes can save you money by perfecting your part design prior to building a production injection mold.    A prototype mold is the only type of mold that can be constructed of aluminum because is not intended for supporting any long term production requirements.  A prototype mold is a good way for an engineer to see exactly how their new part will function in a real-life scenario, without the expenditure for a standard steel production mold.   A prototype mold can cost considerably less than a Standard Mold, in some cases thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, while providing the benefit of developing your product to perform exactly as intended. 

Some other economical options for injection mold construction would be a MUD Unit, or what one if the project is certain but tiny details are still in question, you may want to build a standard mold with a prototype cavity, develop only one of a multi-cavity tool to perfect the part before constructing the remaining cavities. 

Versatility of MUD Units

A MUD (Master Unit Die) Unit refers to a universal steel frame that fits into a press, allowing for an insert mold to slide in or out for quick changeovers.   A MUD unit frame is extremely valuable for production runs that require just in time delivery, when the volume requirements do not dictate a standard mold expenditure.  The ability to quickly switch out insert molds reduces machine down time and labor costs.   Some molders prefer to use MUD units on jobs that run in the same material, allowing for smooth set up and production runs.   This is an economical option that many molders can offer to their customers. 

Standard Injection Molds

A typical standard injection mold is used in a horizontal clamping press, with two halves, an A & B side, that move together to form the desired production part(s) inside the closed mold.  A standard mold will have either one or multiple cavities, the carved out area with specific precision geometrical shapes prepared to mold the desired part.  In some cases, an engineer may be certain of needing an 8-cavity standard mold for high volume part production, but may want to perfect the design prior to constructing all cavities.

 

Michiana Global Mold has vast experience constructing prototype tools, insert tools for MUD units, and prototype cavities in multi-cavity tools.  Michiana Global Mold has been a superior supplier of high quality plastic injection molds for various industries including automotive, consumer electronics, medical and defense, for over 50 years.    We are an ISO9001:2015 Registered mold builder, maintaining high customer satisfaction through continual product and process improvement.

Injection Mold Design Considerations

Plastic Injection Mold Design Considerations

Injection mold designers and engineers have numerous considerations when planning out the best approach for the mold design of plastic components.  Plastic injection molding is used in various industries such as automotive, electronics, medical and defense, to name just a few.  When the same part is required in a high volume, engineers choose injection molding to mass produce required components with consistent quality.   

Mold Design Derived from Part Design

Every injection molder knows that in order to manufacture a quality part, to specification, you must begin with a quality tool.  Injection mold builders today utilize technology such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) and Mold Flow Analysis software to provide an accurate three-dimensional image of the desired plastic part before even cutting steel.  These tools provide advanced product and quality planning procedures, and assist the mold builder and the injection molder to work together in producing the part to specification. 

Critical Elements of the Part Design

Careful evaluation of all critical dimensions is extremely important when designing a tool.   Some parts are designed with thin walls that can succumb to underfill, or a hole that must be within strict tolerances per customer specifications. Knowing up front where the critical dimensions, and required strict tolerances lie is of the utmost importance when designing a tool.  Some tolerances can be as tight as + or - .001 of an inch, the width of a human hair!  When carving steel from a mold to meet these tight tolerances, it is important to get it right the first time. 

Mold Design is Influenced by the Molding Environment

A mold designer must know what specific type of press the mold will run in and the properties of that press such as whether it has a vertical or horizontal clamping system.  A vertical press requires shuttle molds with multiple B halves, and is typically used in over-molding, also referred to as insert molding,  which is molding plastic around an object typically made of either plastic or steel. 

The most common type of injection molding press has a horizontal clamping system where both halves of the mold open and close on a horizontal mounting system,  and parts fall into a bin below the mold when it opens and ejects them. 

Most injection molding presses have water fittings and lines to run through the mold for instant cooling to aid in the setting of plastic, reducing cycle time.  The placement of fittings for cooling systems, electrical connectors and wiring is an important consideration for mold designer to ensure that the mold will fit and work properly in the press. 

Michiana Global Mold is an ISO9001:2015 Registered injection mold designing and building company.  We have been supplying custom precision injection molds to various industries including automotive, medical, electronics and defense for over 52 years.  Contact us today to see how we can assist you with your plastic injection mold designs.  

What is Precision Injection Mold Making?

What is Precision Injection Mold Making?

Not all injection mold making is precision injection mold making.  Some examples of products that do not require such precise molding would be toys, bottles, combs and other miscellaneous items that do not necessitate a stringent level of quality.  Products made for industries such as Automotive, Aerospace, and Government / Military and Ordnance will demand the expertise of a precision mold maker. 

Experience is Necessary

Precision mold makers must be familiar with meeting tight geometric tolerances, as narrow as +/- .001 of an inch.  Experience with the plastic injection molding process, especially tooling, is required for a molder to accurately meet rigid tolerances.  Some parts for the above mentioned industries are quite complex with several gates and cam action occurring in the mold.  Expertise in complex molds is required for precision work.

Technology

Automation is also a necessity to consistently meet meticulous requirements.  A process monitoring system is a software program with sensors attached to each press that monitors things such as the pressure, temperature, cycle time and shots molded.  The sensors work with a computer program to keep track of all molding information for each press, contains a scheduling module, and stores all pertinent information for each production run.  While molding, If any of the critical settings should falter out of an acceptable level, an alert system would sound and let the process technicians know to check the process and make any alterations before molding defective parts. 

Material Management

With so many different engineering resins to choose from, there are a number of different molding conditions that apply to specific situations.  Some materials are molded with water lines cooling the process, and yet other materials require a hot temperature that can only be reached with a hot oil. The hydrolysis (water content) of the material will also affect the molding process.  Some projects require a complete drying of the material to achieve optimal results. 

Controlled Environment

The molding environment must be controlled to maintain a consistent process. Temperature affects the molding process in several different ways, and the experienced precision injection molder knows how to maintain consistency with maintaining a controlled environment.

Quality Practices

Precision Injection Mold Making for demanding industries requires the company to follow necessary quality procedures.  Michiana Global Mold is registered to ISO9001:2015, providing assurance that your mold will meet required tolerances.  These quality standards dictate how a mold maker performs all day to day operations, not just the mold making process, and are enforced from top management down, practicing a stringent quality policy throughout the entire organization. 

By practicing quality control procedures such as Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Michiana Global Mold  provides customers with required data to support required specifications.

Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is performed for optimal efficiency and cost reduction initiatives are shared with customers. 

If your project requires precision injection mold making, consider partnering with Michiana Global Mold to add value to your supply chain. 

Precision Parts Manufacturing

Industries That Require Precision Parts Manufacturing
Precision Parts Manufacturing supplies several industries with critical components.  Aerospace, Automotive, Military / Ordnance, Medical and Consumer Electronics are just a few of the areas where a precision parts molder is a valuable supplier.  
The majority of molded critical components are made by the precision injection molding process, using thermoplastic resins.  Engineering Resins are a group of thermoplastic materials that combine great strength with light weight to be a desirable material in a wide range of conditions, and still be economical.
Precision Molding Process
The quality of a final critical component from the precision parts manufacturing process depends on several parameters.  Three factors that greatly impact the quality of a precision part are the manufacturing parameters, the material characteristics, and the mold design. 
Manufacturing Parameters
When a precision injection molder is presented with a part print, they must determine the best size press to run the parts in taking the press attributes including tonnage, and clamping pressure into consideration.  They must also consider the type of tool to build, and the molding conditions that would yield the most optimum processing conditions. 
Auxiliary equipment must also be considered.   When a precision molder can use automation such as sprue pickers and conveyors, they can maintain a consistent process and reliably produce quality accepted parts. 
Determining the optimal parameters for the molding process is necessary to ensure consistency and reliable product quality. 
Material Characteristics
When choosing the best material for an application, engineers must consider all characteristics of several different thermoplastic resins to choose the most appropriate resin that will meet the strength and durability demands of the functionality of the part.
It is also important to maintain a strong relationship with your resin suppliers.  Most polymer supply companies have material experts on hand ready and willing to assist with new information, suggestions and/or simulations.
Mold Design
A quality precision injection molded part requires a quality precision injection mold.  A flawless mold is the key to reliably and consistently producing parts to customers’ specification.
In most cases, the injection molder will design the mold based on the part print received by the customer.  Molds for manufacturing precision parts can be complex and require the skills of a journeyman mold maker.  It is helpful to have journeyman mold makers in-house that will lead the tool design and communicate with the customer’s engineers during the design phase. 
CAD software and mold flow analysis is used, which is an indispensable tool for any plastic injection molded part.  Mold flow analysis is an indispensable component of any plastic injection molding design project. 
Quality Procedures of Precision Parts Molders

Precision Injection Molding for demanding industries requires the molder to follow necessary quality procedures.  Meeting ISO9001:2008, and compliant to TS/ISO16949, and AS9100 standards standards and practicing them daily is necessary for success with precision parts manufacturing.