Before you choose an injection molding company for your next project, find the right partner to match your needs. As you know, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all business. Therefore, it’s crucial to find a partner that can meet your production schedule, design needs, and specifications.
How Does CNC Machining Differ from Traditional Production Practices?
Low-volume projects have fewer requirements, while high-volume projects require fast throughput and precise machinery. All projects require access to materials, equipment, and personnel who can turn out quality parts consistently.
Custom molding done correctly requires a commitment from both you and your manufacturing partner. When designs require adaptation and you have last-minute production changes, who do you want on your team? Avoid delays, headaches, and disappointment by working with flexible manufacturers already familiar with the needs of injection molding customers.
Here are five steps that will lead you to the right plastic injection molding company for your products.
1. Plan to Meet Your Product Needs
Your manufacturing partner should have a deep understanding of the type of part you wish to create. Otherwise, how can they carry out your vision? For example, will you need wet conditions, high heat, extreme cold, or other contingencies? You also need to estimate your lot sizes based on projected demand.
There’s a huge difference between creating fewer than 10,000 parts and high-volume runs for established products. Low-volume molders may charge less for your production run, but make sure that they have the expertise and the equipment to meet the precise needs of medical, aviation, automotive, and other industries. If you need hundreds of thousands of parts quickly, you need an experienced, well-tooled injection molding company to get the job done.
During the planning stage, evaluate whether the manufacturer provides feedback and has the expertise to resolve your current and future project complications.
2. Take a Tour of the Facilities
Take a tour of the facilities to fully assess whether you have chosen the right manufacturing partner. While on site, it’s important to ask about the types of materials available, making sure that it aligns with your part design.
Here are additional questions to ask before, during, or after the tour:
- What equipment do they have, and will it satisfy your project requirements? Besides injection molding, they should also have material handling, automation, and other equipment to facilitate the manufacturing process.
- Who will run the project? Is it an experienced manufacturing professional familiar with the planning and design phases as well as production?
- Does the facility meet your industry’s regulatory requirements, such as having a clean room, meeting FDA and ISO standards, and so on?
- Do they have the right resin and other materials needed to produce your parts to specification?
- Can the injection molding company provide value-added services and handle large-volume programs?
3: Ask About ISO Certification
Whatever products you need, chances are that you’ll need a manufacturer who can meet the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It isn’t easy to obtain and maintain ISO certifications. So, finding an injection molding company with these certifications can give you greater confidence in your final decision.
4: Look for the Right Experience
An experienced manufacturer has dealt with many snags and foils in the production process. So, choose a company with many years of experience in the field. QT Manufacturing has provided high-quality injection molding capabilities for more than 25 years. Not only do we bring expertise to every project, but we often offer solutions before you ask for them. When you need a partner with extensive equipment and infrastructure capabilities, we can help.
Our experienced professionals provide planning, production, and post-production expertise for all your manufacturing needs.
Domestic Manufacturing Benefits
Domestic manufacturing companies such as QT Manufacturing help protect your products. We follow strict intellectual property laws ignored or not required in some overseas locations. Additionally, you can avoid overseas shipping, customs cost, and a lot of hassle by making your parts in the US.
Finding an injection molding company with more than 20 years of experience and domestic roots can improve cost-effectiveness and quality in all of your projects. Outsourcing to a domestic partner carries several benefits, including more options for low-cost, high-volume runs and complex tooling.
Work With the Top Domestic Manufacturer
QT Manufacturing offers a plethora of services, including the following:
- Custom Plastic Injection Molding
- Prototype Solutions
- Custom Tooling and Injection Molds
- CNC Precision Machining
To learn more about our injection molding company, contact us today. Together, we can turn your designs and ideas into high-quality products.
