We are a composite injection molder that can perform insert molding, over-molding, micromolding, and in-mold decorating
More often than not, part complexity will dictate whether you need to use one process or the other.
- Parts that can be pressed into the desired shape can be accomplished through compression molding.
- Parts that are hollow with small openings like milk and pop bottles are better blow molded.
- Parts that are more complex, that have features that require a more sophisticated mold and will be more repetitive in its’ production cycle are candidates for injection molding.
- We do want to evaluate the part using a 3D file output from any number of designing software packages, e.g. SolidWorks, Pro E, or others.
- The resin that the part will be molded from must be identified.
- Estimated quantities starting with release, ramp-up and full production over a set period of time, e.g. annually.
PlastiCert does not do component part design, our design expertise is in mold design and build. We have third party partners that we can work with in conjunction with you, in order to design a part that meets your functional needs and has been optimized for resin, mold design, and moldability.
Yes we do. For existing customers, it is part of the service we provide for the new projects they are designing. With new customers, those services would be available on a project cost basis or could be wrapped into the costing of the new mold.
That can be addressed through both volume and tonnage. Our presses are capable of shooting fractions of an oz. (micromolding) of resin up to 3 pounds of resin. Physical size is based on surface area. Our presses range from 55 Tons to 500 Tons, mold sizes from the size of your hand to almost 2ft x 2ft x 3ft and can shoot pea sized micro parts up to 18in x 18in x 6in.
Molds reside at PlastiCert under numerous development scenarios. Most of the molds here were both designed and built by PlastiCert. We feel this gives our customer the best advantage for shortest lead times and time to market. There are situations where PlastiCert will utilize partner shops to work in parallel with us to help expedite the mold build process.
That is totally dependent on the end use application for your part. Once we discuss your part and its design requirements specification, we can assist you in your selecting a suitable plastic or composite.
Assessing where your part is at in the design stage. A designed part will lead us to a quotation for the mold and the part’s manufacturing. We can assist with enhancing the design for mold efficiency as well as manufacturing efficiency.
Depending on size and complexity, 4 to 12 weeks generally.
We have the ability to produce a tool aimed at prototypes. They are more geared at lower volumes and allow for part refinement.
Yes, PlastiCert does receive and run molds that were done at other suppliers, even overseas/offshore. Many PlastiCert customers looking to consolidate their supply base have molds sent to PlastiCert to add to the production programs already sourced here. We have a process/procedure in place for receiving, evaluating and using molds from outside sources.
We routinely provide assembly work, ultrasonic welding, heat staking, CNC machining, pad printing, and packaging options.
While we have been told our quotes were comparable quote vs quote, we feel that when you take total landed cost into consideration we are quite competitive. Total landed cost would include those indirect costs of supporting an offshore mold build including project management, mold validation, shipping, in-transit inventory.
Virtually all thermoplastics available on the market. We excel at complex composites like Ultem, Polycarbonate, Nylon, ABS, Ryton, and Thermoplastic Elastomers for example.
Through initial process validation where we establish an operating window that tells us what settings we can use to continually produce quality parts.
Yes, we consider it an advantage that we both design and build our customers’ molds and then shoot the production parts under the same roof. It makes for a much more smooth process in getting a mold up and running in production.
No, PlastiCert does all mold work domestically. We have found over the years that our pricing and lead times are equivalent and sometimes better than the landed cost of offshore sources.
A mold can be as little as $5,000 to as much as $100,000. Typical for us is $15,000 – $40,000.
That depends on the mold partner, the mold and the scope of your costing. The difference can be zero or negligible, or the difference can be great. Just make sure you are including all costs associated with supporting and coordinating activities and deliverables with your mold supplier.
In all cases at PlastiCert the customer owns the mold. It is custom designed to make our customer’s part(s) and is paid for by the customer. As such it is a customer asset that resides within our facility.
Most molds last into the millions of shots depending on the relative abrasiveness or demands of some types of thermoplastic.
We will use your mold in production to make the parts that you require. Upon completion of each order we will inspect, clean and then preserve the mold so it can be shelved until you require more product.
While it is typically best to identify up front the possible volatility of the design of your part, practically all molds can be modified to accommodate changes to your part design.
Yes, we routinely perform insert molding. We have designs calling for just a few to as many as 40 inserts placed in the mold prior to the shot.
PlastiCert participated in two separate programs teaching Lean Skills to our entire staff. One was a MN Department of Employment and Economic Development Job Skills Grant where classes in LEAN were taught on-site through Winona State University, the other was through a similar grant but utilizing faculty from University of Wisconsin – Stout.
PlastiCert has OVER 40 years of expertise in mold design, mold build, composite injection molding, and value add services. We only engage with customers and their projects that fit our type of program, i.e. low to medium volume, openness to work with us on optimizing the part and subsequently the mold to provide advantages for both of us. We have no products of our own, we exist solely as a service provider to you. We consider ourselves an extension of both your design team and your production floor.
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