Precision plastic mold making is one of the important industries that is involved in our life. The global plastic mold making industry is currently in a strong growth period which is expected to be sustained over the next several years. Many of these successful plastic mold making companies are facing the need to diversify their plastic mold markets to find new business and also are interested in transforming this old industry in such a way as to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the industry as well as augmenting its capacity. From plastic mold design to plastic mold making, the plastic mold manufacturer community is looking for solid, practical advice.

Custom plastic molding can be characterized by three major requirements: High quality, short lead times combined with high flexibility, and low volume production. Plastic mold quality is crucial because parts are designed for maximum performance and operated at their limits. The main advantages of rapid manufacturing are shortened lead times that permit a later plastic mold design freeze, as well as greater geometric plastic mold making freedom. It is crucial to find applications where these advantages compensate for the inherently inferior properties of RM parts for plastic mold maker. New applications of RM will emerge plastic mold material properties, plastic mold dimensional tolerances, and plastic mold part repeatability.

Plastic mold tool manufacturers from almost all industries are currently evaluating the purchase of tools from Asia, or have even established supplier relations there – for local or global applications.
This is also true for other plastic mold manufacturers who face massive cost pressure and relocate part of their production, not only to follow their customers but also to serve new customers in the target markets. Cost savings from 20% to 50% are possible, but the process of finding the right supplier of plastic mold tool and plastic mold material is intense and the necessary input very high. Which plastic mold manufacturers are suitable to be sourced from China, and what cost savings are realistic? How can a good cooperation with local plastic mold builders be established, and what kind of input is necessary? What are the relevant plastic mold making facts to be kept in mind when establishing your own plastic mold making production?