The quality of your injection-molded plastic parts is essential for the success of your project. Choose a supplier who understands your priorities and will work with you to ensure the final product meets or exceeds your expectations.
Look for a company that has the right size machines and production capacity to meet your program needs. They should also be able to provide value-added services, such as warehousing and assembly, in addition to molding.
Experience
A good injection molding company will have a history of producing quality products and working with customers in a timely manner. Their experience will help them guide your product through important choices like appropriate material selection for the part’s intended use, and mold design to allow for efficient production and quality production. They should also have a well-rounded supply chain team who can manage purchasing and lead times for components required to assemble your final product.
It is also important to choose a company with their own strong design team who can get involved early in the design process and help simplify the geometry of your parts to make them more cost effective and easier to produce. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, and ensure your project runs efficiently.
When looking at quotes from different injection molding companies, be sure to compare the mold dimensions, lead times and costs carefully. There are many factors that can cause these numbers to vary. For example, the type of machine used can affect lead times and the amount of labor needed to build and run a mold. Additionally, some companies may have minimum order quantities (MOQs) that will require them to purchase materials from another company. Furthermore, the following also makes for another great resource for injection moulding companies or injection molding companies (niche detail, but depending on the lexis you’d prefer).
It is also helpful to visit the facility of potential injection molding partners. This is a great way to see the inner workings of their operation and meet the people who will be making your plastic parts. It is also a good idea to ask potential injection molding companies for references from other customers and speak with them about their experiences. This can provide valuable insight into the quality of work they perform and the degree to which they go above and beyond the call of duty for their clients.
Certifications
You want to ensure your plastic injection molder has the necessary certifications for your project. Whether that means they have the IQ/OQ/PQ process validation, SolidWorks CAD software, or a commitment to quality standards as outlined in our Injection-Molded Part Quality Control Checklist, the more certifications an injection molding company has, the better.
You also want to make sure the injection molding company you choose has the equipment and capabilities needed for your job. For example, if you have a large, complex mold, it’s important that the company can produce it without having to rely on an outside vendor for tooling. Additionally, if you need additional services such as assembly or kitting, be sure to find out if the company has these capabilities in-house so they can deliver them to you on time.
It’s a good idea to visit a potential molder’s facility before you agree to a contract. This will give you a chance to tour the facility, see their manufacturing capabilities firsthand, and get a feel for the company’s culture. You can even ask if you can speak with some of the employees to gain a better sense of their skills and capabilities.
The most important thing to remember when choosing an injection molding company is that no two companies are the same. Be wary of injection molding companies that submit a generic proposal to win your business, as this can lead to unnecessary delays and costs. A custom injection molding proposal should provide you with all the information you need for your program and be tailored to your specific requirements.
Technology
It’s important to choose an injection molding company that has the technology you need to ensure your product is manufactured in a high quality, cost-effective manner. For example, some plastic resins work better than others when it comes to strength, flexibility and durability, so your manufacturer should be able to recommend the right material for your product’s application.
It also helps to find an injection molding company that offers value-added services, such as prototyping and design solutions, or warehousing and assembly. This way, you can get your project done in a more cohesive fashion and will save time in the long run.
Injection molding is a complex process that involves many different elements. That’s why it’s so important to choose a plastic injection molder that can produce your parts at the correct size, tolerances and finish. In order to do so, they need to have the technology required, such as an accurate digital measuring system.
The injection molding company you select should also have in-house tooling capabilities. This means that they can machine your mold in-house, which will help speed up production and reduce your costs. In addition, they should have a range of finishing capabilities, from basic rough textured surfaces to super fine finishes.
You should also consider whether or not the injection molding company produces its products domestically. This can drastically cut down production times and make it easier to communicate with the manufacturer if you have any changes in your product design or production timelines. In addition, a domestic injection molding company can reduce your overall production costs by using local materials and cutting out the middleman. This makes it easier to meet your budget and production deadlines.
Value-added services
When it comes to large-batch plastic production, your choice of injection molding company can make a big difference in the total cost of your project. This is particularly true for businesses that need a partner that can offer value-added services like assembly, packaging, printing, and more.
If you choose a company that can offer these services, it can save you a great deal of time and money in the long run. In addition to reducing your supply chain, it can also reduce the number of internal meetings, negotiations, phone calls, and emails that need to take place. These are all soft costs that add up over time.
You should also look for a company that offers in-house tooling capabilities. This can save you a significant amount of money since it means that you don’t have to wait for your tooling to arrive from an outside source. Additionally, an in-house tooling company can provide a variety of options for surface finishes and tolerances that are best suited to your industry’s unique requirements.
Another important consideration is the company’s quality control and inspection procedures. This is especially critical for projects with the most precise specifications. Make sure to ask the injection molding company about their QA/QC processes and how they will address manufacturing variability in order to ensure that your project meets the highest standards.
You should also consider whether the company can offer additional value-added services, such as warehousing, finishing, or assembly. These can be a major savings for your business. Having your supplier handle multiple parts of the process will reduce the number of steps in your supply chain and help you to meet your production deadlines.
Customer service
When you invest time in creating your product, it is important to find an injection molding company that cares about the final quality of your parts. The right company is willing to work with you to minimize your project’s complexity and ensure on-time delivery of your completed part.
Look for a manufacturer who provides a variety of value-added services that can reduce your lead times and production costs. If your product will need to be painted, pad printed, silk-screened, hot stamped, coated or plated, choose a manufacturer that can handle these finishing processes in-house. This will save you a lot of time as well as money and help reduce the risk of having to coordinate multiple suppliers.
It is also beneficial to find an injection molding manufacturer that offers design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback and rapid prototyping. A good molder will review your 3D CAD file and provide advice about draft angles, undercuts, material selection or ways to simplify the part geometry while maintaining your specifications.
Another important aspect of customer service is communication. A good injection molder will clearly communicate their expectations, including time frames, pricing, and other factors that could impact your project. The right company will also be honest when they can’t meet your needs for whatever reason.
Choosing the best injection molding company will take a little bit of time, but it is worth the effort to find the best partner. When you have found a company that meets your expectations, it will be easier to work with them for future projects. And you can rest assured that your new product will be high-quality, durable and cost-efficient. So, start your search for the perfect manufacturing partner today!
