NDA before quotation
Confidentiality can be agreed before you disclose protected product files.
How We Protect Your Mold Investment
Clear Approval Points Before Steel, Samples and Production
A mold is a capital asset. The project documents should define who owns it, what is approved at each stage, which corrections are included and what happens if the tool must be maintained or transferred.
DFM before steel cutting
Review geometry, parting line, ejection, critical dimensions and mold-cost drivers first.
Customer-owned tooling
Customer-funded molds are customer-owned under the agreed purchase terms.
Evidence at T1
Use physical samples and dimensional results to make the next approval decision.
Stage-Gated Tooling Process
From Confidential Design to Approved Production
- 01
NDA and requirements
Define confidentiality, annual volume, resin, cosmetic requirements, critical dimensions, tool destination and program life.
- 02
DFM and tooling route
Review manufacturability and decide whether a prototype, bridge or production tool best fits the commercial plan.
- 03
Mold-design approval
Review cavity layout, parting line, gates, ejection, slides, lifters, cooling, interfaces and service components before release.
- 04
Cut-steel approval
Confirm the approved design, steel specification and agreed documentation before irreversible machining begins.
- 05
Build and progress control
Track the tooling schedule, completed operations, open decisions and changes through regular project updates.
- 06
T1 samples and dimensional report
Run the first trial, inspect the parts and document the dimensional findings that guide corrections and approval.
- 07
Correction rounds and golden sample
Separate tool corrections from customer design changes, document decisions and approve the production reference sample.
- 08
Production, maintenance or transfer
Keep the mold history and production controls visible, or prepare the agreed records, spares and packaging for tool transfer.
Put the Risk Controls in Writing
The Quotation and Order Should Define the Mold Terms
General promises are not enough. The applicable terms must be written into the quotation, purchase order or tooling agreement for the specific project.
Ownership and identification
Customer-funded tooling ownership, mold number, ownership plate and the legal entity responsible for the order.
Payment and approval milestones
Payment points, design approval, cut-steel approval, T1 review and production release.
Corrections and design changes
Which tool corrections are included, how customer design changes are quoted and who approves added cost or schedule.
Life, maintenance and storage
Tool-life target, normal maintenance scope, storage period, normal wear and responsibility for repair or refurbishment.
Transfer and project exit
Transfer conditions, preparation and packaging, outstanding balances, transport costs and any agreed transfer service charge.
Technical deliverables
Whether mold drawings, electrode data, steel certificates, spares, setup information and trial records are included.
Evidence Package
Specify the Documents Your Program Requires
DFM reportTooling scheduleMold-steel certificateT1 dimensional reportMaterial certificateOutgoing inspection report8D report formatEngineering change requestMold history record
Not every project needs the same document set
Tell us which documents, traceability level and approval formats your purchasing and quality teams require. The applicable package can then be included in the quotation scope instead of being assumed after the mold is built.
Define Your Quality Package →