RFQ Checklist

Incomplete or preliminary CAD geometry leads to quote discrepancies and delayed tooling kickoffs. For accurate steel sizing, parting line development, and slide actuation modeling, provide final geometry packages:

• 3D Solid Models: Provide native CAD (SolidWorks, Creo, NX) or neutral Parasolid (.x_t) and STEP AP214 / AP242 files. Avoid polygon meshes (STL / OBJ) which cannot be parsed for CNC toolpaths.
• 2D Dimensional Prints: Detail critical-to-function dimensions, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) feature control frames, datum origins, and hole concentricity limits.
• Cosmetic Surface Callouts: Clearly identify appearance A-surfaces, SPI gloss grades (e.g. SPI A2 diamond polish), or specific texture numbers (e.g. Mold-Tech MT-11010).
• Permissible Ejector & Gate Zones: Highlight acceptable and non-permissible locations for ejector pin witness marks and gate vestiges.

Figure 1: Side-by-side verification of 3D CAD solid models against 2D tolerance prints.

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Tooling capital expenditures must match commercial program lifecycle projections. The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) classifies injection molds into distinct categories based on shot volume and durability requirements:

Different polymers contract at drastically different rates during in-mold cooling. A mold built for Polycarbonate (0.5% to 0.7% shrinkage) will produce out-of-spec parts if run with Polypropylene (1.2% to 2.0% shrinkage).

• Exact Resin Brand & Grade: Specify polymer manufacturer and grade name (e.g. Sabic Cycoloy C6600 PC/ABS rather than generic “PC/ABS”).
• Filler & Reinforcement Content: Detail glass fiber, mineral filler, or carbon fiber percentages. Glass fiber increases steel abrasion and causes anisotropic shrinkage along orientation directions.
• Regrind Percentage: State maximum allowable regrind ratio (e.g. 0% for medical, up to 20% for industrial housings).

To ensure your export mold drops directly into your production press without platen modifications, include your press data sheet with the RFQ packet:

• Tie Bar Clearances: Horizontal and vertical clearance between tie bars to verify mold width clearance during tool installation.
• Locating Ring & Sprue Bushing Radius: Stationary platen register ring diameter (typically 3.990 inches for U.S. or 100/125/160 mm for metric presses) and spherical sprue nozzle radius (0.500 inch or R15.5 mm).
• Ejector Knockout Pattern: SPI center knockout pattern or multi-pin layout, including rod diameter and thread size.
• Maximum / Minimum Shut Height: Verify mold stack height fits within machine daylight parameters.

Figure 2: Press platen specification sheet detailing tie bar spacing and locating ring diameter.

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State your preferred melt delivery architecture to eliminate scrap runner regrinding and maintain rapid cycle times:

• System Style: Cold runner, cold runner with hot sprue bushing, hot tip thermal gate, or servo/hydraulic valve gating.
• Specified Manifold Supplier: Specify preferred hot runner manufacturers compatible with your facility spares inventory (e.g. Mold-Masters, Synventive, Husky, Yudo, HRS Flow).
• Temperature Controller Connectors: Indicate wiring standard (e.g. 24-zone DME standard 25-pin or 16-pin Harting connectors).

Figure 3: Multi-drop balanced hot runner manifold system with thermocouple wiring and valve pins.

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