How to Select an Injection Mould for Your Part and Production Needs

Selecting an injection mould means balancing the part’s geometry and finish requirements with production targets and expected tool life. Longterm offers custom mould development from customer drawings or samples, with single- or multi-cavity layouts, optional hot runners, and a stated mould-life range of 50,000 to 1,000,000 shots. The listed minimum order is one set, and the stated delivery period is 20–35 days; confirm timing for the specific project.

Start with the Part and Production Plan

Before requesting a design review, prepare the part drawing or a sample, the expected production volume, and the required surface finish. These details help the supplier assess the mould structure and discuss a suitable cavity layout. Longterm lists SPI and VDI surface finishes, as well as hot runners as an available option.

Match the planned cumulative output to the required mould life. The product specification covers 50,000–1,000,000 shots, but it does not identify a particular mould life, steel, or cavity count for each application. Confirm these choices against the individual part and production requirements.

Materials, Tooling, and Quality Checks

Longterm lists S50C, P20, and 1.2738 for mould bases, and H13 and 718H for mould steel. Specify the material requirements during technical review rather than assuming that a listed option is assigned to a particular part or production volume.

Ask how the mould and trial parts will be checked. The stated process includes incoming inspection, mould trial testing, dimensional inspection, and a full inspection before shipment. Longterm also reports ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design, manufacturing, and sales of precision moulds, and the sales of plastic products.

Selection Factors at a Glance

Relevant Project Experience

Reported examples include a handheld-device electronic housing mould and a double-shot overmoulding project for a consumer electronics shell. The case descriptions mention feedback on dimensions and surface quality, alignment, and stable trial samples. They do not provide specific tolerances or production volumes, so those details should be established for each new project.

The company lists consumer electronics and home appliances among its application areas, including housings, connectors, control panels, and other functional plastic components.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a mould be developed from a drawing or sample?

Yes. Longterm states that it provides custom development using drawings or samples supplied by the customer.

What mould life is specified?

The listed range is 50,000–1,000,000 shots. Confirm the appropriate target for the part and planned production volume.

Which inspection steps are included in the stated process?

The product information lists incoming inspection, mould trial testing, dimensional inspection, and full inspection before shipment.

Preparing for a Design Review

When requesting a quotation or technical discussion, provide the part drawing or sample, forecast production volume, finish requirements, and target mould life. Then confirm the cavity layout, materials, runner configuration, inspection plan, and project delivery schedule. Longterm lists OEM custom plastic injection moulding and mould development combined with injection-moulding production among its business models. For technical solutions or support, contact rogerluo@longterm-mold.com.

About Longterm

Longterm Manufacturing Solutions Limited was founded in 2010 and provides mould design, tooling, precision machining, mould manufacturing, and parts production for international customers. The company reports a team of 50 employees, a 2,000-square-metre factory, and annual production of more than 300 moulds. Approximately 80% are supplied to customers in Europe and North America. Its reported projects serve consumer electronics, home appliances, and industrial components.