Understanding The Plastic Injection Molding Tooling Production Process
When it comes to producing a high-quality plastic part, the tooling used to create it is a key factor in the process. Your plastic part is only as strong as the tools used to develop it, and at Camcar Plastics we take this critical step seriously. We partner closely with our trusted American tooling manufacturers and guide you through every phase of the process. From part design to prototype development to final production, we’re by your side ensuring your plastic injection mold tooling piece is developed with quality and care.
The Part Design Process
The part design process is essential before we begin developing any type of tooling or tooling prototype. When we begin designing your plastic part we need to take every factor into consideration, especially material and function.
Our team will first learn the intended use of your plastic part because this determines the tolerances, like draft angles or tight snap-fits. We then begin the material selection process, which is essential to other specs of your part — like surface finish and accounting for any shrinkage rates.
Our engineers are committed to working with you in order to ensure your part design is practical, functional, and can be produced at scale once your tooling piece is finalized.
Developing A Tooling Prototype
Once your plastic part design is finalized, a tooling prototype might be needed. If that’s the case, we begin working with one of our trusted tooling manufacturers to get started. A prototype is created when required, like for a more intricate plastic part, or if requested. Sometimes we are able to go straight into producing your final tooling piece if the part requires less specs and tolerances.
Prototype tooling is great if one needs to test the fit and function of their plastic part. Because it’s usually made out of aluminum (as opposed to steel), it’s a much more affordable way for us to begin producing your plastic part at a smaller scale. This allows you to test the part in real life before the final tooling is produced — one that will be made from strong, steel material and can withstand mass production.
Plus, if for any reason you aren’t satisfied with your part, we can make adjustments and produce a new prototype before you invest in the final tooling and we begin producing at scale.
Final Tooling Production
Once we’ve confirmed your plastic part is ready for production, it’s time to get your tooling piece produced. At Camcar Plastics, we only work with tooling manufacturers based in America — so your plastic part is produced in the U.S.A every step of the way.
A tooling piece is produced via a machine that etches out the cavities that make up your plastic part in a large piece of steel. We then receive the tooling and insert it into one of our injection molding machines to begin producing your component. Our trained staff monitor this process as the machine injects molten plastic into the cavities of the tooling piece before releasing the final plastic part.
When you utilize a strong, steel piece of tooling it allows us to produce your plastic part at a large scale because the tooling is designed to withstand repeat use. It’s an investment that ensures your plastic parts can be produced at mass while maintaining quality.
Investing in Quality Tooling for Long-Term Success
At Camcar Plastics, we understand that quality tooling is part of the foundation to your product's success. From initial design to final production, our commitment to precision and American-made craftsmanship ensures your plastic parts meet the highest standards.
Whether you need prototype tooling to test your design or we’re ready to jump into developing the final tooling piece, our experienced team guides you through every step. We’re committed to delivering plastic components that perform reliably, part after part.
Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how our tooling expertise and plastic injection molding services can benefit your business.
