Injection tool manufacturing follow up

Ones the injection tools are designed and the design is validated, the tool manufacturing phase starts. It is important to follow the tool manufacturing phase to make sure, that the tool will be done according to the standard defined and requested from the toolmaker. To make sure, that the tool will be done on time and in proper quality. As many of you know, its possible to produce good parts even in a bad tool, but only for a short time. To make sure, that the tool will be able to produce acceptable quality of the parts over the life time of the tool, its important to make sure the tool is made as it is supposed to be made. Some toolmakers may think, that in case they will make a tool quickly and “looking as a tool”, its going to be cheaper for them. In the end, it might be cheaper for the toolmaker, but it will surely not be cheaper for the final part producer who will spend lots of money on the tool maintenance. To make sure the tool is produced properly and on time, proper follow up is needed. Mainly the following activities are followed:

• Tool status check (pictures and on the spot)
• Tool timing and convergence check
• Tool components quality check (dimensional and part surface finishing)
• Tool fitting (assembly) check. To make sure, that the components are fitted properly.
• General cavity surface polishing and style polishing check.
• Tool standard check before the tool is shipped to the final part producer to be sure the tool connections will match with the injection molding machine (IMM) connections.