Move a Mold
If your organization already has molds and would like to leverage ASH’s manufacturing capabilities, we can support a seamless transfer process with production priority, based on a minimum parts order, material availability, and agreed-upon Quality Criteria.
Once these conditions are met, ASH will:
- Evaluate molds for manufacturability and production readiness (initial assessment)
- Source appropriate materials to ensure consistent availability for your components (secondary validation)
- Upon successful completion of the first two steps, initiate production within approximately one to two weeks
- Produce components that meet or exceed the quality standards of the most recent production run
- Conduct a detailed mold inspection and document tool condition, identifying any required disassembly, cleaning, maintenance, wear-component replacement, or repair work; additional tooling services will be recommended and quoted based on the mold's condition and production requirements
- Manage and inventory parts for blanket or scheduled release orders
Transferring an injection mold to a new supplier involves several critical steps to ensure stability, quality consistency, and uninterrupted production. ASH’s process is designed to minimize downtime while safeguarding part quality throughout the transition. The more information available regarding the mold and part history, functionality, materials, and quality requirements, the better equipped ASH is to evaluate the tooling, establish production requirements, and ensure a successful transition.
Initial Mold Evaluation
Initial Mold Evaluation
Before production begins, a comprehensive evaluation of the incoming mold is done to confirm its condition, compatibility, and readiness for production.
Visual Inspection
The mold is carefully inspected for signs of damage, wear, or corrosion. This includes checking critical areas such as cavities, cores, gates, runners, and ejector systems, as well as any visible surface degradation, such as rust or cracking. Any damaged or worn components identified during the inspection can be evaluated and quoted for repair or replacement as needed.
Mold Documentation Review
When available, supporting documentation is reviewed to ensure a complete understanding of the tool and its historical performance. This may include:
- Mold design files (CAD models or drawings)
- Material specifications (steel grades, cavity inserts, coatings, etc.)
- Previously used processing parameters (temperatures, pressures, cycle times)
- Preventive maintenance and repair history
Mold Qualification Process
Qualifications trials are performed to verify the mold's performance within our equipment. These trials help confirm:
- Machine compatibility, including required tonnage and auxiliary equipment
- Cycle time consistency and repeatability
- Part dimensional accuracy and overall quality
Mold Adjustments & Optimization
Depending on the evaluation results, adjustments or optimizations may be required to ensure reliable production.
Machine Compatibility Adjustments
Some molds may require minor modifications to align with the molding equipment. This can include adjustments to mounting systems, sprue bushings, alignment features, heating elements, and more.
Process Optimization
Processing parameters such as injection pressure, temperature profiles, and cycle times may be refined to match the new equipment and achieve optimal part quality and repeatability.
Preventive Maintenance
Initial servicing is often performed to ensure tool longevity and stable production. This may include cleaning, lubrication, replacement of wear components, and inspection of high-stress areas.
Communication & Collaboration
A successful mold transfer depends heavily on clear communication between all parties. Aligning expectations early helps ensure a smooth transition.
Key areas to define include:
- Part quality requirements and inspection criteria
- Production timelines and ramp-up expectations
- Special handling or process requirements
Sharing historical insights from previous production runs can also help accelerate process stabilization and reduce trial time.
Best Practices for a Smooth Transition
Maintain safety stock
Keep a buffer inventory of finished parts to avoid disruptions during the transfer period.
Consider a pilot run
A limited production run can help validate process settings before full-scale production begins.
Maintain supplier relationships
Keeping professional ties with previous suppliers can be beneficial for future support or contingencies.
