Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Plastic Extrusion Blow Molding Machine

Key Questions to Ask When Ordering a Plastic Extrusion Blow Molding Machine

When considering the purchase of a Plastic Extrusion Blow Molding Machine, it is crucial to address several factors upfront to avoid future complications. Ensuring that all necessary information is gathered and verified before construction begins is essential.

Ensuring Mold Durability and Efficiency

Moldmakers have a responsibility to ensure that the molds they produce are dimensionally, functionally, and aesthetically suitable throughout the lifespan of the product. This goal is unattainable without first understanding the customer's specifications regarding dimensions, functionality, aesthetics, and lifespan requirements.

Importance of Clear Communication

Customers often lack proficiency in the moldmaking industry but prefer working with knowledgeable vendors. Educating the customer protects both parties and helps avoid unrealistic demands that compromise the project. For example, agreeing to construct a seven-cavity hot-runner family mold for diverse parts in a high-shrink semi-crystalline material is a recipe for failure.

If a molder cannot produce acceptable parts, the responsibility often falls on the moldmaker.

Key Questions for Initial Inquiry:

1. How did you hear about us?
2. What is the end use of the product (medical, automotive, consumer, etc.)?
3. Are there any mating parts?
4. Do you need any part-design assistance?
5. What are the expected annual production quantities?
6. What is the expected lifespan of the product?
7. Do you have a CAD file of the part? If so, what is the file format?
8. Do you have or need a 3D-printed or machined prototype?
9. Do you have a 2D dimensioned drawing of the part?
10. What is the material type?
11. Will the parts be made in more than one type of material or color?
12. Do you have any mold-design specifications that need to be adhered to?
13. Can we get your molder involved in future discussions?
14. Is the number of cavities desired based on mold cost, part cost, or production requirements?
15. If the mold is to be a MUD or other quick-change insert type, is a specific frame size required? If yes, what is the frame size or number?
16. Do you know if you want a cold runner, hot bushing, hot runner, valve gate, etc.?
17. Are there any interchangeability requirements, such as various versions of the part or engravings?
18. Are there any inserts that will be overmolded?
19. Are there any secondary operations that might affect the mold design?
20. What are the surface finish requirements for the cavity?
21. What are the surface finish requirements for the core?
22. How many samples will you need initially?
23. Are any inspection or testing criteria required for the parts?
24. Are there any mold qualification requirements?
25. Is there anything else we should know?
26. How many other moldmakers are quoting this project?
27. Are any of these moldmakers offshore?
28. When are you expecting to place the order for the mold?
29. How critical is the delivery date?
30. If you gave the potential client a ballpark mold cost, what was their reaction?

Evaluating Internal Considerations

Internal evaluation of the supplied 3D model and 2D drawing is equally critical. These evaluations ensure that the design specifications align with the mold’s construction capabilities.

1. Did the model translate well?
2. Should the part design be modified to reduce the mold cost or increase its longevity?
3. Can the model be modified in-house?
4. Are any actions required (cams, lifters, two-stage ejection, unscrewing, etc.)?
5. Are there any holes or features requiring shutoffs?
6. Does the part have uniform wall thickness?
7. Is additional coring needed?
8. Is there sufficient draft to prevent sticking or scuffing in the cavity?
9. Is there sufficient draft to prevent sticking or scuffing on the core?
10. Are there any undercuts?
11. Are there radii on both internal and external corners?
12. Should any radii be removed to eliminate cavity impression in both halves of the mold?
13. Are there any ejection concerns?
14. Are there any gating concerns?
15. Are there any filling concerns?
16. Should a flow analysis be considered?
17. Are there any cooling concerns?
18. Should high-conductivity materials or conformal cooling be considered?

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Molding Considerations

Molding issues impact the part and mold design. For instance, sink and knit lines influence gate location, while splay and jetting affect gate type, size, and location. Similarly, flash impacts shutoff considerations, steel types, and heat treatment. Understanding these aspects ensures the production of high-quality parts.

Addressing Molding Limitations:

Consider the following aspects:

• Color (L, a, b, Delta E, gloss)
• Gate vestige
• Sink
• Warp
• Knit or flow lines
• Flash
• Shorts
• Splay
• Burn marks
• Black specks
• Grease or dirt
• Other

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