I bought a Plastic Injection Mold from China……It was terrible!!!!!

July 25, 2012 by

Injection Mold Manufacturer from China

injection mold manufacturer

How many times have we heard that? Monthly? Weekly? Daily? Well let’s say often….and while I understand a bad experience is never fun, I am surprised at how many professional business people say they will never try it again. I have to wonder why? So many things in this world simply do not go smoothly and we find ourselves having to troubleshoot something or repair it or find some solution to make it work.
How many times have we given something or someone a second chance and what would have happened if we hadn’t? Would you be married to the same person? If you buy a car that is a lemon, will you never buy another car again? Was your favorite food always your favorite food or did you have to try it a few times? And clothes…. The first time you saw the latest fashion how many times have you said, I will never wear that, only to have it in several different colors three months later.
So many things in this life require a second or even a third try why wouldn’t finding the right injection mold manufacturer in the United States be the same. Wait, did I say the United States? Of course, I did. Finding a good injection mold manufacturer source anywhere is difficult. People sometimes forget that once they fine someone they are comfortable with. So why would China be any different?

US Injection Mold Manufacturer

Simply, it’s not. Just like here in the United States you have to do your homework. While touring a shop might be nice you really want to check out their work and references just like you would do here. The fact is China is very cost effective if you do this right. You don’t want to cross China off your list as a plastic injection mold manufacturer just because you had one bad experience. If you buy a bad toaster you return it. Well this may not be that simple but the point is you don’t give up on toasters. You know a toaster is easier than trying to toast bread in the oven. And considering the burnt bread a lot more cost effective.
Here you know China gives you a cost effective injection mold manufacturer that will allow you to be competitive here in the United States. You want that competitive edge. So learn from your bad mold. Was it really the injection mold  manufacturer or could things have been handled better as you consider the process. Were you dealing with China as you would an American injection mold manufacturer? There are so many possibilities but the bottom line is China can make quality cost effective molds. As professionals it is our job to determine the issues behind the bad mold and decide if in fact it was the injection mold manufacturer or a combination or reasons that once corrected can make this injection mold manufacturer viable. The other side is that you find a new manufacture in China just like so many people find new sources here in the United States.

US Cost Effective Injection Mold Manufacturer

The goal is to look beyond a terrible experience or a bad plastic injection mold manufacturer and determine how it can be done better the next time. China still provides for cost effective quality plastic injection mold manufacturer. Finding the right injection mold manufacturer in China for plastic injection molds allows companies to grow and prosper in the United States making this the positive experience it should be.

To learn more about Total Solution Plastic and our click here – Injection Mold Manufacturer Services or call our office at 919-900-8801. Call today!

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When does buying an injection mold from China make you a good American?

February 20, 2012 by

Injection mold – from China?

large injection mold from Total Solution Plastic

One of our large and intricate molds

It‘s all about jobs, and in our case injection mold jobs. We need to supply jobs for the people here in America. So why does going to China for your injection molds help people here in America keep their jobs? Sometimes you have to pick your battles to win the wars. We use a lot of plastic here in America, everything from medical devices to automotive parts. Most of it requires some kind of plastic mold and very often this is an injection mold.

Injection molds are very labor intensive and this is where China has a huge advantage over the United States. Their labor rate is so much lower we cannot even attempt to compete. Anything that is more labor than material is not a level playing field between the United States and China. So let’s not try. Let’s let China do what they do well and then we get to do what we do well. With proper due diligence, let China build the labor intensive injection molds. Based on your annual usage these molds can last a long time making the mold costs go a long way in the overall cost of the project.

Injection Mold It Here!

Now, when it comes to the injection molding of the part, that is a different story. This is very much automated which makes it almost impossible for China to be competitive as there is very little labor. So as American companies we can be my most competitive by buying molds from China and using our expertise and investment dollars in the plastic injection process in our shops. Our core competency would be molding of the plastic. So, while a lot of shops like to be a one stop shop, the reality is you need to decide how to be the most competitive and develop core competencies. In this way you offer competitive pricing, which allows for the growth of your company, which allows for job creation.

As you can see, using China and their labor rates in your business plan can create additional jobs here in the United States. Consider this the next time you have an injection mold requirement.

Be a good American and buy your injection molds from China.

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Paulson Training’s Channel – Injection Molding

November 24, 2011 by

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Do you know if your company has legal ownership of its injection molds?

November 23, 2011 by

Injection Molds – Ownership

injection molds made of high quality steelThis may never happen, but if it does, it could be a nightmare. What’s that? Proving that your company owns molds that are not in its possession.

Business environments change, natural disasters happen, and businesses close their doors. What do you do if your present plastic molder can no longer produce your parts? Simple, you go get your molds and place them with another molder. Maybe three days downtime, max. It will only be this simple if you plan ahead and have good documentation for your molds.
Here’s a checklist to use for establishing proof of ownership of all your molds. The goal is to keep your molds in production and out of courtrooms.
1. The injection molds purchase order should contain wording to the effect: “design, build, and test mold number XX to produce part YY as described on part print ZZ. All molds to remain the property of XYZ Co.
1. All designs, tools, jigs, fixtures, and assembly/production aids should be identified by mold number with words “Property of XYZ Co.” either by stamping it on the item in a visible area or with an identification tag.
2. Depreciate all molds as a capital expenditure rather than expense it as an engineering expense in your corporate financial statements.
3. Request a list of your tools from your molders on their letterhead. This list should include the following information:
o part names
o part numbers
o molder’s tool number
o molder’s tool location
o statement saying that the molds are the property of XYZ Co.
4. Your company should keep a similar list with the following additional information:
o Your company’s mold number, if assigned
o original purchase order number
o date the tool was completed
5. These lists should be audited annually. When you and the molder agree the new list is both complete and accurate, exchange letters confirming that the list is authentic and all molds listed are the property of your company.
6. If you receive mold design blueprints from the molder, make sure that your company’s name is listed in the title block as owner.
7. Be sure all outstanding invoices are paid before you ask to take possession of the mold. It is commonly understood that when outstanding invoices are paid, the owner is free to move a mold anywhere for any reason.

Injection Molds – Chain of Ownership

If your company works with its molders and follow the guidelines above, there’s a high probability that mold transfers can take place quickly. Keep in mind that possession of property is nine-tenths of the law. Without documentation between the molder and mold owner, it would be difficult to prove to a third party that anyone other than the person who currently possesses the mold is the legal owner.
Total Solution Plastic makes sure each mold we build has YOUR information on it. However, this may not be common practice within the mold building industry, so it wouldn’t hurt to request mold identification.

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Afraid of Purchasing Injection Molds From China?

November 23, 2011 by

Injection Molds from China

injection molds from chins Total Solution PlasticTotal Solution Plastic has taken the guess work and the pain out of searching for a great injection mold builder in China. We have been importing into the USA for +11 years for many of the tier 1 and 2 customers.

Why take a chance answering one of those “spam” emails we all receive from some unknown China supplier? We are a USA company located in Raleigh North Carolina and stand behind each and every one of our injection molds. Currently we are importing 125 to 175 molds per year, from small medical devices to large automotive and agricultural products. Don’t gamble with your projects! Call us at 919-900-8801 for your Injection mold requirements. Visit us at www.totalsolutionplastic.com.

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Injection Mold Basics

November 22, 2011 by

Paulson Training – Basic Injection Molding Machine Operations (excerpt)

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Injection Mold Basics – You Tube Video

November 22, 2011 by

This You Tube Video discusses the basics of injection mold design. Modern injection mold design includes many features which are discussed in simple to understand terms.

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INJECTION MOLD STEEL DESIGN TIPS – WHAT STEEL SHOULD YOU USE WHEN BUILDING YOUR NEW PLASTIC MOLD?

November 21, 2011 by

Building Your New Plastic Injection Mold

Injection Mold MachineYour company is about to invest in a mold to manufacture a plastic part. That is, you’re ready to write the purchase order once you decide which molder has quoted you the best value for your dollar. You want the lowest price, the lowest mold maintenance, AND the highest product quality. Right? Yet, how can you tell what you’re really buying when one supplier quoted $3000 and another quoted $13,000? They both saw the same blueprint! It’s probably true that both molds could produce good quality plastic parts.

Injection Mold – What Steel to USE?

Buyers should consider two scenarios: quick machining steel/low production quantity versus slower machining steel/high production-high quality. Quoting molds is often an “assumption game.” The more the customer can define what they want, the fewer variables enter into the quote. The customer’s goal is to get apples-to-apples quotes from each supplier, and this isn’t always easy.
One variable in quoting the mold is the quality of steel to be used. Total Solution Plastic typically quotes high quality tool steel unless the customer specifies otherwise. We do, however, build tooling from all grades of material such as prehard steel (P-20), hardened tool steel (S-7,H-13,O-1,A-2,etc.), or stainless steel. When dealing with Asian suppliers, it is also important to understand the country of origin of the steel. Even though it meets the industry standard, doesn’t mean all steel is the same.
Prehard: P-20
P-20 is the most popular and versatile mold steel. It is used for all sizes of machine-cut molds, and does not require post machining heat treatment. No heat treatment eliminates the finish machining and grinding operations which are necessary because of the dimensional changes which occur in heat treatment.
Prehard can be chrome-plated or nickel-plated for wear and corrosion resistance, if needed. However, we typically do not recommend P-20 steel if the production quantity is high (+500,000) or reinforced plastics are to be used. The trade-off is usually less mold builder labor ($) versus longevity of the mold (time).
Hardened Tool Steel: H-13, S-7
This steel renders a fine combination of toughness and strength. The steel is mostly furnished in the annealed condition and must then be heat treated after the mold is finished. The steel hardens to about Rockwell C 46 – C 54. Hardened tool steel is used when a steel is needed for molding reinforced plastics, or when a large production quantity is anticipated. Hardened steel also takes an excellent polish, therefore it is used for clear parts such as lenses.
Stainless Steel: 420
Stainless steel is frequently used when corrosion or rusting may be a problem. Rusting of waterlines or the mold due to condensation can be very costly because of the extra maintenance and frequent polishing. Stainless 420 must be heat treated. It has outstanding dimensional stability in heat treatment and therefore, the mold needs very little finishing and correcting after heat treatment. This steel also takes a high luster polish.
Three variables enter into the calculation of a mold’s price: the material to be used, the estimate of mold maker hours, and the labor/overhead rate.
Price = Material + (Hours X Rate)
The steel quoted will determine the material price and mold builder hours required. Although the steel or material cost typically amount to only 10% of the mold’s price, the amount of time required to machine the steel is a major part of the cost. The prehard steel may be a very cost effective route if for example, the plastic to be molded is polyethylene, the quality of the plastic part is not “gold-plated”, and the life of the mold is small, such as 10,000 pieces.
If, on the other hand, the plastic part is 30% glass-filled nylon, specifies no parting line flash, and will run one million parts, Total Solution Plastic will quote the tool steel you request.
The challenge for all buyers is to define which steel is being quoted and whether that steel will be satisfactory for the project’s objectives.

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Getting your best buy for Injection Molds?

November 21, 2011 by

All of the folks at Total Solution Plastic speak English (although it is with a “southern” accent)! We are located in Raleigh, NC and have been importing Injection Molds from our sister company in Shenzhen China for +11 years. We stand behind our products and have a superior reputation in the industry! Please visit us at www.totalsolutionplastic.com. We understand “the total cost of acquisition of injection molds”!

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Are your projects on time when procuring injection molds for Asia?

November 19, 2011 by

Procuring Injection Molds for Asia

Injection Molds - Franklin Spears CEO Total Solution PlasticTotal Solution Plastic has experienced in the past week an earthquake, tornadoes, a hurricane and a +500 point swing in the market. Is there something here that Nostradamus predicted? I certainly hope not, but the good news is that we are all doing well and suffered very little damage here. We pray for those that were affected by these disasters.
Many have suffered the past couple of years due to the market conditions. I am not going to attempt to predict the future, but we have certainly seen a sharp increase in activity and orders. We have seen spurts of business previously, and thought all had turned…. But spurt is exactly what it was. Like many of you, I certainly hope this increase continues. We find companies are shopping their requirements harder for lower cost while keeping the quality the same or even better. Total Solution Plastic is very proud to day we are alive and healthy. Our shop in Shenzhen is operating at a very healthy level, but even still capacity is available.

Plastic Injection Molds Projects

I have spoken many times before about communications and its significance to achieve a successful and timely project completion date. Customers have experienced time and time again, their Plastic Injection Molds projects not only ship on time, but many time ahead of schedule! Our Proprietary Web Portal has been the solution. No longer are emails lost or change orders misplaced or not followed. Our Portal controls these processes. It is all about the “Total Cost of Acquisition”! No need to change shipping from the planned sea shipment to much more expensive air shipments due to lost time or missed schedules! We deliver on time… in fact we boast quite strongly that WE HAVE NEVER MISSED A T1 DATE!!
I would appreciate your responses to issues you have experienced in procuring of shore tooling. As you well know, “the price is not always the price”.

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