Injection Mold Cost: Data Needed for a Quotation

Why an injection mould cannot be priced from the part name alone

There is no reliable single price for an injection mould without reviewing the part data and the required project scope. Two parts with a similar overall size may need different tooling because of geometry, resin, surface requirements, tolerances, cavity layout, expected mould life or validation requirements.

For a useful quotation, first clarify whether the project is:

1. Mould only: the completed mould will be transferred for production at the customer’s factory or another approved moulding site.
2. Mould and plastic parts: the scope includes mould design and manufacture plus mould trials and an agreed production quantity in Vietnam.

Information needed for a quotation

• 2D drawing, 3D model or sample: include revision status and identify critical features.
• Plastic resin and grade: add filler content, colour and any approved material alternatives.
• Expected volume: state annual demand, lot size and programme duration.
• Cavity requirement: state a preferred cavity count if defined; otherwise provide output and cycle-time targets for review.
• Expected mould life: provide the required shot-life target and maintenance assumptions.
• Mould steel: state a required grade or allow the supplier to propose a grade for technical review.
• Tooling standard: identify the required standard or approved equivalent, for example LKM, FUTABA, HASCO or DME, only where the project specification requires it.
• Runner and gate: state hot runner or cold runner requirements when already defined.
• Tolerance, surface and inspection: identify critical dimensions, cosmetic zones, texture or polish requirements and the expected inspection report.
• Moulding machine data: provide platen, tie-bar, shot-size and interface information when the mould will run on a designated machine.
• Delivery information: state the destination, requested Incoterm, documentation and target schedule.

What the quotation should define

A comparable quotation should identify the included technical scope, key assumptions, review milestones, trial or sample scope, inspection documents, exclusions, delivery basis and validity period. Optional work should be separated from the base scope rather than hidden inside a single number.

Prepare the RFQ package

Use the request-a-quote form to send the available drawings and project requirements. If some inputs are not yet fixed, mark them as open for technical review instead of guessing.