Classification of Molds
Classification of Precision Molds
Classification of Precision Molds
Precision molds are the core tools of high-accuracy manufacturing, widely used in automotive, electronics, medical, and consumer product industries to produce parts with exceptional dimensional accuracy and superior surface quality.
Depending on their function, structure, and application, precision molds can be categorized into the following types.
Each type has unique design and manufacturing characteristics to meet specific precision requirements.
- Plastic Injection Molds
Designed for producing thermoplastic or thermoset plastic parts by injecting molten material into a mold cavity under high pressure, then cooling to form high-precision components.
Features:
High Accuracy: Tolerances up to ±0.01 mm for consistent part dimensions.
Complex Geometry Capability: Supports multi-cavity, thin-wall, and micro-structure molding.
Excellent Surface Finish: Options for mirror polishing or special texture patterns.
Applications:
Electronic device housings (e.g., smartphones, laptops)
Automotive parts (e.g., dashboards, connectors)
Medical devices (e.g., syringes, medical containers)
Advantages: High efficiency, suitable for mass production, compatible with a wide range of engineering plastics such as PC, ABS, PEEK.
- Metal Die-Casting Molds
Used to inject molten metals (e.g., aluminum, zinc, magnesium alloys) into a mold cavity under high pressure, rapidly cooling to form strong and precise metal components.
Features:
High Heat & Wear Resistance: Designed to endure high-temperature molten metal and high-pressure impact.
Precision Structure: Ensures uniform wall thickness with tolerances up to ±0.02 mm.
Long Service Life: Made from high-strength steels such as H13 for durability.
Applications:
Automotive engine parts (e.g., engine blocks, gearbox housings)
Consumer electronics heat sinks (e.g., laptop cooling modules)
Industrial machinery components
Advantages: Rapid production of complex-shaped metal parts with high strength and excellent surface finish.
- Stamping Molds
(Also known as cold-forming dies) Used for shearing, bending, deep drawing, or forming sheet metal, suited for thin-walled metal components.
Features:
High Precision & Efficiency: Capable of continuous stamping with tolerances within ±0.01 mm.
Multi-Process Integration: Supports cutting, bending, and deep drawing operations.
Durability: Made from carbide or high-speed steel for wear resistance and long lifespan.
Applications:
Automotive body panels (e.g., doors, hoods)
Electronic product enclosures (e.g., smartphone frames)
Metal parts for home appliances (e.g., washing machine shells)
Advantages: Ideal for large-volume production, fast processing speed, excellent part consistency.
- Silicone Molds
Used for injection or compression molding of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) or solid silicone, ideal for soft, high-temperature-resistant, and biocompatible parts.
Features:
High-Precision Design: Achieves fine microstructures and flash-free molding.
Temperature & Chemical Resistance: Withstands the heat and stability demands of silicone vulcanization.
Complex Demolding Structures: Prevents deformation due to silicone’s softness.
Applications:
Medical devices (e.g., catheters, sealing rings)
Food-grade products (e.g., baking molds, gaskets)
Waterproof components for electronics
Advantages: Produces elastic, biocompatible parts that meet strict medical and food industry standards.
- Powder Metallurgy Molds
Used to press and sinter metal or ceramic powders into high-precision, high-strength components, suitable for complex shapes and specialty materials.
Features:
High-Pressure Forming: Molds withstand hundreds of MPa to achieve high powder density.
Precision Tolerances: Dimensional accuracy up to ±0.005 mm.
High Wear Resistance: Made from carbide or coated with specialized materials to resist abrasive powders.
Applications:
Automotive gears and bearings
Electronic parts (e.g., magnetic cores, micro-gears)
Medical implants (e.g., orthopedic components)
Advantages: Enables near-net-shape forming, reduces secondary machining, ideal for high-performance materials.
- Composite Material Molds
Designed for shaping carbon fiber, glass fiber, and other composites via Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) or compression molding, producing lightweight, high-strength parts.
Features:
High Rigidity & Corrosion Resistance: Withstands resin chemical attack and high-pressure molding.
Complex Surface Capability: Ensures even laminate structure and smooth surface finish.
Precision Demolding: Prevents deformation or damage during part release.
Applications:
Aerospace components (e.g., wings, fuselage structures)
Automotive lightweight parts (e.g., carbon fiber body panels)
Sporting goods (e.g., bicycle frames)
Advantages: Produces lightweight, high-strength components for aerospace and premium automotive markets.
Plasmat’s Advantage in Precision Molds
With deep technical expertise and advanced manufacturing capabilities, Plasmat offers design and production services for a wide range of precision molds, including plastic injection, metal die-casting, stamping, silicone molding, powder metallurgy, and composite material molds.
Beyond optimizing individual mold types, Plasmat excels in multi-process integration, delivering one-stop solutions from mold design and fabrication to full-scale product manufacturing.