Discovery of the Factors That Affect Mold Lead Times
What is the leading time for injection molds?
The lead times for injection molds are the total time required from the initiation of the mold design to the tooling completion and ready for T1 mold tryout.
This Process is typically including: mold design; mold-making/machining; polishing; mold assembly and mold tryout process. The whole cycle relies on several key considerations and factors affecting mold delivery time, which will be explained below:
Key Factors Affect Lead-time
Mold Complexity
The complexity of the injection mold is one of the important factors affecting the manufacturing cycle. Simple injection molds usually only take 2-4 weeks to manufacture, while complex injection molds can take months or even more. Complex injection molds include parts with unique shapes, structures with multiple functions, high precision requirements, etc.
Mold Weight And Size
The size and weight of injection molds can also impact the manufacturing cycle. Typically, larger molds require more material and longer processing time, thus resulting in a longer manufacturing cycle.
Material Selection and Manufacturing Process
The materials and manufacturing processes of injection molds also impact the manufacturing cycle. For example, utilizing advanced manufacturing processes and materials can enhance manufacturing efficiency while also improving the quality and the mold life. Certain materials, such as tool steel, may require longer lead times for sourcing and processing than others.
Design and Testing
Injection molds need to be designed and tested before manufacturing. The design and testing process takes much time and effort, especially for complex injection molds. In addition, if problems are discovered during testing, the design and testing may need to be re-designed, resulting in an extension of the manufacturing cycle.
Manufacturing Capacity and Workload
The current workload and capacity of the manufacturer can impact the delivery time. If the manufacturer is already working on multiple projects or has limited resources, the injection mold manufacturing cycle may be extended due to insufficient resources and manpower.
Supplier Reliability
The reliability and efficiency of the mold manufacturer also play a role in the delivery time. Selecting a trustworthy and experienced supplier can help guarantee prompt delivery.
