To manufacture a plastic mold, the first step is mold design. Each design will represent the detailed specifications of a required mold. To support the mold design process, engineers nowadays utilize various software programs such as AutoCAD, Catia, Cimatron, NX, etc. By doing so, the mold designs can accurately depict each parameter, contributing to the simplification of the machining process. The following article by Ha Noi Mould – Tech will provide an overview of a complete mold design process.

What is mold design?

Mold design is the process of creating a 3D mold on a computer based on the characteristics and technical specifications of a product. This process can be applied to new products or to recreate existing ones in the real world.

To simplify the mold design process, you can use software such as Autocad, Catia, Cimatron, NX, etc. These software programs allow you to create all the necessary details of a mold. Additionally, you can accurately represent the dimensions of mold plates, screws, and other components.

Furthermore, for molds with complex structures and high precision requirements, engineers need to clearly represent each small detail. This is because the machining process may not be able to encompass all the details, and small details can easily be overlooked. This directly affects the quality of both the mold design process and the product shaping.

Classification of mold design

Classifying molds contributes to simplifying the mold design process. This allows foundry engineers to more easily shape their mold designs to suit the customer’s intended use. Currently, molds are divided into 7 different classifications:

Plastic Injection Molds

Plastic injection molds, also known as KEN (Khuôn ép nhựa), are tool sets used to shape products based on customer specifications. These molds consist of multiple assembled components. The liquefied plastic is then injected into the mold cavities, where it cools and solidifies to form the product. With plastic injection mold designs, engineers need extensive experience in machining mold cavities.

Stamping Dies

Another type of mold design is stamping dies. These tool sets use impact force to shape plastic products. Currently, this type of mold is commonly used to manufacture components for thin metal sheets and alloys under the influence of pressure while in a cool state. Stamping die designs typically consist of a punch and a die.

Hot Stamping Dies

Hot stamping die design is a widely used process for machining metals under high pressure while in a heated state. When working with hot stamping dies, the raw material blank needs to be heated to a high temperature. After this process, you’ll need to wait for a certain period for the blank to return to its normal temperature. At the end of the process, you’ll obtain a product identical to the design.

Cold Stamping Dies

Cold stamping dies are molds that use pressure to shape the material blank while it’s in a cool state. Therefore, designing cold stamping dies requires high precision and careful consideration of the materials used for the mold. The high pressure involved can cause the mold to deviate from its position during the stamping process if you don’t choose the appropriate material for the die.

General process of designing plastic molds

Mold design process

The entire mold design process will go through 4 steps:

• Step 1: Accurately calculate the required cutting force for the product. After receiving the sample from the partner, design engineers need to determine the pressing force to be used for the mold. The magnitude of the pressing force depends on the size and shape of the product.
• Step 2: Select a suitable press machine for the design. Nowadays, many companies use versatile mold press machines, allowing them to adjust the power flexibly to meet the processing needs of the product.
• Step 3: Calculate the height and dimensions of the detailed mold parts. Engineers need to depict the dimensions on the design drawing to ensure the most efficient product processing by the technical staff.
• Step 4: Use design software to create the product model. Depending on the specific requirements, engineers can choose between 2D or 3D software. Some commonly used design software for molds include Autocad, Catia, etc. By using software, the mold design drawing can accurately represent the specifications of each component.

Process of plastic injection mold design:

• Step 1: Receive the product from the customer.
• Step 2: Determine the plastic material. At this step, you need to consult and coordinate with the customer to select the appropriate plastic material. This determination is also a prerequisite for choosing the suitable mold material.
• Step 3: Choose the mold material. Typically, mold materials are made of steel alloys. Steel is a material known for its good strength and heat resistance.
• Step 4: Determine the size and details of the product set.
• Step 5: Proceed with the design of the plastic injection mold using technical software such as CAE, CAM, Catia, etc. You will need to clearly depict the dimensions and small details on the mold design drawing. This will facilitate the machining and assembly of the injection mold.

Process of plastic compression mold design:

The process of designing a plastic compression mold is similar to that of plastic injection molds. It also involves 5 steps similar to the ones mentioned above. You can use the plastic injection mold process as a guideline for designing compression molds.

Software for plastic mold design:

Currently, there are numerous software options available for plastic mold design. Most of these software programs offer excellent features that help mold designers in their work. Some commonly used mold design software includes:

• CAE
• Autocad
• Catia
• CAM

What are the necessary factors for a mold design engineer?

To become a professional mold design engineer, you will need to prepare the following factors:

1. Graduation from a university or college specializing in mechanical engineering and manufacturing.
2. Specialized knowledge in mold design for the plastic industry.
3. Proficiency in using modern machine tools such as CNC machines.
4. Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, Catia, CAE, etc.
5. Ability to read and understand technical documents in English.

In addition, a professional mold design engineer should possess other soft skills and, above all, a sense of responsibility in their work. Specifically, they need to understand and design molds based on customer requirements. Diligence and enthusiasm in their work are prerequisites for the development of engineers in the future.

Ha Noi Mould – Tech Co., Ltd.

If you are wondering about an efficient mold design service provider in Hanoi, Ha Noi Mould – Tech Co., Ltd. is the perfect choice for you. The company is known as a leading enterprise in the field of mold manufacturing. Currently, Ha Noi Mould – Tech Co., Ltd. has a team of highly skilled and experienced mold design engineers. They can create various types of molds, ranging from simple to complex, with high precision.

Furthermore, when using the mold design service at Ha Noi Mould – Tech Co., Ltd., you will have the opportunity to participate in many customer incentive programs. For example, combo packages (mold manufacturing + plastic product molding according to requirements) always ensure benefits for customers. By using these combo packages, Ha Noi Mould – Tech Co., Ltd. offers discount programs to help customers save a lot of investment costs. For detailed information, please contact:

• Ha Noi Mould – Tech Co., Ltd.
• Address: Lai Xa Industrial Zone, Kim Chung Commune, Hoai Duc District, Hanoi.
• Phone: 0911323590
• Email: trade@hanoimould.com
• Website: www.khuonmauhanoi.com