The injection mold quotation process can seem complex for customers who are new toinjection molding manufacturing. With multiple steps involving design, engineering, tooling, and production planning, generating an accurate quote requires expertise and care.

As an experienced injection molding company, we strive to simplify this process for our customers. We break the complex mold quotation procedure into easy-to-understand stages, answering all questions along the way. Our goal is to provide a stress-free assessment so customers feel empowered to choose the best solution for their project.

Below we explain the 10 key steps in our injection mold quoting process – from initial inquiries to placing orders. We hope this guide serves as a helpful introduction for all customers exploring injection molded parts production.

Initial Inquiry

The process begins when a customer contacts us with an initial idea or concept for an injection molded plastic part. At this inquiry stage, we aim to gather critical details to prepare an informed quotation.

Key details include:

Part dimensions and tolerances – Understanding the precise part size and dimensional precision needed is crucial for mold design.
Annual volume – Higher volumes typically justify higher mold quality and automation, impacting costs.
Material selection – The plastic material chosen affects mold materials and process parameters.
Cosmetic requirements – Tighter cosmetic standards require higher precision molds and processes.
Special characteristics – Complex geometries, inserts, threads, or text require more complex tooling.

Gathering this information early allows us to tailor the quotation to the customer’s exact needs from the start.

Request for Quote (RFQ)

After the initial discussion, we formalize the customer’s requirements into an official RFQ. This ensures we capture all necessary details in writing to generate an accurate quote.

The RFQ specifies:

Part prints with full dimensions and geometry
Material selection and requirements
Annual volume
Tolerance and cosmetic expectations
Special part features and post-molding operations
Testing, certification, or inspection expectations
Packaging and delivery requirements

Documenting these specifications creates a clear record for both parties to avoid misalignments later in tooling design or production.

Feasibility Assessment

With the formal RFQ in hand, our engineering team performs a feasibility assessment. This critical step examines whether the proposed part geometry can be realistically injection molded with the desired process and materials.

If any areas of concern arise, we provide feedback to the customer on potential options:

Part redesign – Optimizing walls, ribs, draft angles, or eliminating complex geometries
Material change – Adjusting required properties through alternate plastic choice
Tolerance modification – Widening tolerance band to facilitate production
New process technologies – Special processes like gas-assist or overmolding

Adjustments from the feasibility step help avoid troubles once production mold tooling is complete.

Initial Tool Budgetary Estimate

Concurrent with feasibility, we generate a budgetary estimate for mold tooling costs. This early quote establishes expectations for the customer on total project investment, aiding their planning and budgeting process.

We provide both a domestic and overseas tooling budget based on part size, complexity, materials, and annual volume. While domestic tools ensure tighter process control, overseas production can offer significant savings on small to mid-sized projects.

Detailed Part Quotation

With feasibility and early tooling budget defined, we build a detailed part quotation encompassing all elements of the program. This is the most comprehensive document covering:

Tooling – Final tooling design, components, and fabrication budget
Unit part cost – Based on annual volumes, material, secondary operations, and program management
First article inspection – Protocol and timing to approve initial sample parts
Testing requirements – Details and costing for any defined testing
Packaging and shipping – Per unit and per shipment details defined
Payment terms – Deposit amounts, tool payment schedule, and production payment terms

The detailed quotation is the customer’s primary resource for understanding the complete commercial relationship.

Quotation Review and Discussion

We encourage customers to review the detailed quotation closely and ask any clarifying questions. Often, additional discussion uncovers opportunities for efficiency or savings.

Common areas for cost reduction at this stage include:

Adjustments to annual volume projections
Minor changes to part geometry, features or cosmetics
Relaxing initial tolerance requirements
Leveraging overseas tooling and identifying reputable partners
Optimized packaging and shipping methods
Coordinated payment scheduling with shared milestones

A thoughtful exchange serves both parties, ensuring the best solution at a fair investment level.

Tool Design Confirmation

With the commercials aligned through quotation review, we proceed to confirmation of the injection mold tool design itself.

Our engineers translate the part prints into a full mold design package, detailing:

Tool materials selected
Mold base standard and size
Cavitation strategy and layout
Cooling channels, components, and routing
Parting line and shutoffs
Ejection system including pins, sleeves, and strippers
Gate location(s) and type (hot or cold)

We submit this package to the customer to confirm the proposed mold tooling approach matches expectations before finalizing orders with tooling vendors.

Purchase Orders and Payment

With the injection mold design and quotation fully aligned, the customer issues formal purchase orders (POs) to solidify program launch.

Typical POs include:

Mold tooling and initial payment deposit
First article inspection parts
Initial pre-production samples

Corresponding payment schedules related to these PO milestones are also finalized. This may include tool payments at stages like design approval, tool steel receipt, tool tryout, and first article.

Tool Fabrication and Samples

With POs in place, our tooling experts coordinate closely with selected mold fabrication partners to ensure precision craftsmanship. We oversee progress at each stage from design to machining to final tool tryout and approval.

Once mold functionality is verified, initial parts are sampled and measured against all specifications. These early samples give critical feedback on any adjustments needed before full production launch and shipment to the customer.

This closes the loop on the injection mold quotation process – delivering the customer from early concept to physical parts in hand!

Through these 10 structured steps, we aim to simplify the complex world of injection molding for customers. Our specialized expertise combined with clear project scoping and alignment delivers high quality, cost-effective production molds. By walking step-by-step through budgeting, design, and tool fabrication we avoid unexpected surprises.

Most importantly, we enable customers to approach injection molding with confidence. We transform the quoting process from source of anxiety into a catalyst for seamless manufacturing results. Our ultimate goal is partnering with clients for the long-term through mold after mold as their ideas transform into reality.

Simplifying the Injection Mold Quotation Process for Customers

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