Total cost, not just price
Importing a mold can be the best decision on some projects and the most expensive on others. The difference rarely lies in the initial quote: it shows up in rounds of changes, in trials, in shipping and customs, and in what happens when the mold needs maintenance or a spare part.
A sound comparison puts all those costs and risks on the table, for the same mold scope.
Criteria to compare
| Criterion | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Technical communication | Who reviews the part, in which language and how fast do they respond? Can the mold be reviewed in person? |
| Engineering changes | How much does a part design change cost and how long does it take after the mold is approved? |
| Trials and approval | Where is the mold tried out, on which machine and with which material? Who attends the trial? |
| Logistics | What freight, insurance, import procedures and transit time does delivery add? |
| Compatibility | Is the mold designed for the customer’s actual machine, with its platens, clamping and connections? |
| Documentation | Are drawings, a bill of components and a manual for local maintenance delivered? |
| Support | Who handles a failure, an adjustment or a spare part, and how quickly? |
What happens after delivery
A mold works for years. Over that time it needs maintenance, spare parts and sometimes modifications for product changes. When the moldmaker is nearby, those interventions can be done on the same tool by the people who designed it. When it is far away, it pays to secure at purchase the drawings and documentation needed to service it locally.
An imported mold already in production can also receive local maintenance and repair, and components without drawings can be reproduced through reverse engineering.
How to compare quotes
Ask every supplier for the same scope in writing: number of cavities, mold material, systems, finish, included trials, acceptance criteria, documentation, warranty and delivery point. Add to each offer the costs it does not show, and compare the totals.
An offer without trials, without documentation or with a different steel is not comparable with one that includes them. See also what drives the price of a mold.
Common questions.
Can you service an imported mold?
Yes, subject to diagnosis, including molds we did not build. Components without drawings can be captured with 3D scanning and reverse engineering.
What documentation should I require when buying a mold?
At minimum, mold drawings, a bill of components, materials and heat treatments, and operating and maintenance recommendations, so it can be serviced throughout its life.
Deciding where to build your mold?
Request a quote with a detailed scope to compare on equal terms.