Short-Run Injection Molding for Automotive Panels

Short-run molds for aftermarket automotive panels

Aftermarket panels such as this navigation bezel are sold in hundreds or a few thousand units, not millions. Sometimes the total value of the parts is lower than the cost of the mold, so the tooling has to be sized to the real volume. We build short-run molds for panel parts in 30% glass-filled PA66, to HASCO or DME standards, with hot or cold runners.

Matching mold life to volume

Mold life for these programs typically runs from 1,000 to 100,000 shots. For simple panel shapes we can cut the cavity and core directly into P20 A and B plates instead of using separate inserts. That saves steel, machining time and money, and because the cavity is one solid block it is often stronger than an inserted design. With adequate maintenance such a mold can reach 300,000 shots.

• Two cavities in AISI H13 for this project, cold runner, HASCO base.
• Gate and cooling positions checked to limit warpage on long, thin panels.
• Rib-to-wall ratios reviewed in DFM to avoid sink marks on visible faces.

Why large molders avoid short runs, and why we don't

High-volume molders are set up for long runs; changeovers and small batches cost them money. We run 14 presses of different sizes and our own tool shop, so a short run is a normal job for us rather than an interruption.

How a project like this works

• Tell us what you need – the mold only, molded parts, or both, and your estimated annual volume.
• Send drawings – STEP, IGES, STL, DWG or PDF, or a sample. We sign off moldability in a DFM review.
• Quotation – tooling price, part price and a schedule, with steel, cavities and runner proposed.
• Mold design approval – you approve the 3D mold design before steel is cut.
• T1 samples + FAI report – production or mold shipment starts after your approval.

Shipping molds and parts

• Molds are cleaned, rust-protected, marked and checked against a shipment checklist: cooling circuits, sprue, locating ring, ejection and support pillars.
• Molds ship with drawings, a spare-parts list and the T1 process sheet.
• Parts are packed to your packing instruction and inspected before shipment.
• We ship to customers in Europe, the USA and Asia.

After-sales

Our after-sales team supports mold maintenance and modifications remotely and can supply spare inserts. Contact customerservice@precisemoulds.com.