Design For Moldability vs. Process Limitations
Some customers tell us that they went to another plastic injection molder first, only to be told that they had to redesign their part, or even that their part could not be injection molded.
Sometimes it’s true – their part can’t be molded, or needs design changes to conform to Design For Moldability (DFM) requirements for issues like draft angle or wall thickness. These are universal requirements that every injection molder has. The Design Guidelines page of our website highlights these DFM tips.
But in other cases, we’re able to mold parts that other molders simply cannot. Or we won’t require the design changes that they do. There’s an important difference between needing to change a part design for moldability, versus the manufacturer requiring changes just to fit their moldmaking capabilities.
One big advantage is that we use hardened steel molds rather than aluminum, so we can accommodate part geometry requirements and design changes more easily. Some other molders, on the other hand, may tell you that you have to make design changes, but in reality it’s just to accommodate their moldmaking method. Or, they may have to make an entirely new aluminum mold for a part design change, whereas we are able to more easily modify a steel mold.
Feel free to contact us if you have questions about moldability – we’ll be happy to look at your design and give you feedback on the moldability of your part.