Apr 01,2022

Our company is exhibiting at the Shanghai International Plastics Exhibition.

Our company exhibited at the Shanghai International Plastics Exhibition, where Yuanxin Mould received unanimous praise from a wide range of domestic and international customers.

Apr 01,2022

How to Design an Blister Molding Mold

Blow-molding molds are something we often see and use, yet many people assume their design is straightforward. But do you really know how to design a blow-molding mold? Let’s examine the key considerations during the design process. ### 1. Mold Opening Direction and Parting Line At the outset of designing any blow-molded product, it’s essential to determine the mold opening direction and parting line. This ensures minimal reliance on core‑pulling mechanisms and eliminates visible parting lines that could affect the product’s appearance. ### 2. Draft Angle 1. An appropriate draft angle helps prevent surface defects such as stringing or fuzziness. For smooth surfaces, the draft angle should be ≥0.5°; for textured (sanded) surfaces, it should exceed 1°; and for rough-textured surfaces, it should be greater than 1.5°. 2. Proper draft angles also help avoid top‑surface damage, including whitening, deformation, or cracking at the product’s apex. 3. When designing deep‑cavity products, the outer surface draft angle should ideally be steeper than the inner surface draft angle. This prevents core misalignment during molding, ensures uniform wall thickness, and maintains material strength at the product’s opening. ### 3. Wall Thickness 1. Different plastics have specific recommended wall‑thickness ranges, typically between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. If wall thickness exceeds 4 mm, cooling times become excessively long and shrinkage issues may arise; in such cases, consider revising the product’s geometry. 2. Uneven wall thickness can lead to surface shrinkage. 3. Irregular wall thickness may cause porosity and weld lines. ### 4. Reinforcing Ribs 1. Appropriately applied reinforcing ribs enhance product rigidity and reduce deformation. 2. The rib thickness must not exceed 0.5–0.7 times the product’s wall thickness; otherwise, surface shrinkage may occur. 3. The single‑side slope of reinforcing ribs should be greater than 1.5° to prevent top‑surface damage. Blow-molding molds are something we often see and use, yet many people assume their design is straightforward. But do you really know how to design a blow-molding mold? Let’s examine the key considerations during the design process. ### 1. Mold Opening Direction and Parting Line At the outset of designing any blow-molded product, it’s essential to determine the mold opening direction and parting line. This ensures minimal reliance on core‑pulling mechanisms and eliminates visible parting lines that could affect the product’s appearance. ### 2. Draft Angle 1. An appropriate draft angle helps prevent surface defects such as stringing or fuzziness. For smooth surfaces, the draft angle should be ≥0.5°; for textured (sanded) surfaces, it should exceed 1°; and for rough-textured surfaces, it should be greater than 1.5°. 2. Proper draft angles also help avoid top‑surface damage, including whitening, deformation, or cracking at the product’s apex. 3. When designing deep‑cavity products, the outer surface draft angle should ideally be steeper than the inner surface draft angle. This prevents core misalignment during molding, ensures uniform wall thickness, and maintains material strength at the product’s opening. ### 3. Wall Thickness 1. Different plastics have specific recommended wall‑thickness ranges, typically between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. If wall thickness exceeds 4 mm, cooling times become excessively long and shrinkage issues may arise; in such cases, consider revising the product’s geometry. 2. Uneven wall thickness can lead to surface shrinkage. 3. Irregular wall thickness may cause porosity and weld lines. ### 4. Reinforcing Ribs 1. Appropriately applied reinforcing ribs enhance product rigidity and reduce deformation. 2. The rib thickness must not exceed 0.5–0.7 times the product’s wall thickness; otherwise, surface shrinkage may occur. 3. The single‑side slope of reinforcing ribs should be greater than 1.5° to prevent top‑surface damage.

Apr 01,2022

How to Properly Maintain Rubber Molds

Every object has a finite lifespan, and to extend its service life, we must understand the proper maintenance procedures. Below are the correct methods for maintaining rubber molds. First, the wear curve of regularly maintained molds exists for every mold. Mold maintenance focuses on addressing abnormal wear that occurs during operation, and the number of stamping cycles completed during this period is easy to track. Once the predetermined cycle count is reached, a maintenance plan can be implemented, making it straightforward to identify maintenance tasks and manage maintenance timing. Second, enhanced maintenance aims to prolong mold life, ensure consistent quality, and simplify upkeep by refining specific mold components through targeted improvements. Third, routine maintenance involves standard cleaning and inspection of rubber molds, as well as lubrication with oil or similar substances. This work typically ensures the mold remains in good working condition, enabling early detection of any abnormalities. Fourth, when rubber molds experience malfunctions during processing—resulting in issues such as excessive burrs, incorrect dimensions, surface defects, or even burnt mold parts—they can no longer function safely. Such abnormalities necessitate immediate repair and maintenance, which is referred to as “accident‑related maintenance.” This type of maintenance is usually performed when the mold is nearing its operational limits; if the cost of maintaining the mold becomes prohibitive, its useful life may be short. Because such repairs often occur unexpectedly, it is essential to have contingency plans in place, including scheduled shutdowns and emergency response procedures.

Apr 01,2022

Two indicators of the development of China’s plastic mold industry

Developing standardized mold components is of great significance for shortening the mold design and manufacturing cycle, reducing production costs, and improving mold quality. If specialized production and commercial supply of these standard components can be achieved, it will greatly boost the development of China’s mold industry. In recent years, the plastic mold industry in China has grown rapidly, accompanied by increasingly fierce market competition. Following China’s entry into the WTO, foreign‑owned mold manufacturers have entered the domestic market. To stand out in this intense competition, developing standardized mold components and implementing specialized mold production are essential. According to Luo Baihui, Secretary-General of the International Mould Association, developed countries have achieved a mold standardization rate of 70%–80%, whereas China lags behind at around 30%. Widespread adoption of standardized mold components could shorten the design and manufacturing cycle by 25%–40% and reduce labor waste caused by users having to replace non‑standard parts. While CAD/CAM technology is now commonly used in mold design, promoting the use of standardized components enables partial resource sharing, significantly cutting down on design effort and time—thus playing a crucial role in advancing CAD/CAM technologies and enhancing mold precision. In the past, even a single damaged component could render an entire mold unusable. Because such parts were not standardized, suitable replacements were hard to find on the market, requiring customers to contact manufacturers—a time‑consuming and labor‑intensive process. By contrast, using standardized components allows for convenient repair and replacement, substantially extending the service life of molds. Today, domestic enterprises have recognized the importance of mold standardization. More than 100 companies with a certain scale of production now manufacture standardized mold components, primarily including plastic mold bases, side‑ejection mechanisms, ejector pins, and ejector tubes. Notably, plastic mold bases can already produce larger‑scale products, laying the groundwork for the development of large, high‑precision molds. Despite significant progress in China’s mold industry, substantial gaps remain compared with international standards. Implementing specialized mold production is a key step in accelerating industrial growth. Many regions across the country have established regional “mold cities,” which have played a positive role in fostering the mold industry. For example, Yuyao Mold City in Ningbo, Zhejiang, was China’s first such hub; it now hosts hundreds of mold enterprises and has spurred the development of the local and surrounding mold industries. Shenzhen, which has successfully implemented specialized mold production, is home to nearly a thousand mold‑processing firms. These companies demonstrate a strong awareness of establishing quality assurance systems and show great enthusiasm for obtaining ISO 9000 certification, recognizing that specialized production serves as a gateway to the international market. Foreign‑invested mold enterprises dominate Shenzhen, boasting nationally leading technical expertise, broad application of advanced technologies, a comprehensive range of mold types, high product quality, and short production cycles. With the exception of large‑scale automotive body‑panel molds, these firms can manufacture virtually all other types of molds, employing technologies such as high‑speed milling, gas‑assisted injection molding, reverse engineering, hot runner systems, and rapid prototyping. Shenzhen’s mold enterprises have not only achieved technological specialization but also increasingly adopt a production management model centered on design and organized according to process flows. This approach reduces the need for workers to possess all‑round technical skills, emphasizing specialization instead. Nevertheless, molds produced in Shenzhen are still generally classified as mid‑to‑high‑end; critical high‑precision molds—such as those for copier main frames or camera and video‑camera applications—must still be imported. The implementation of standardization and specialization has propelled the development of China’s plastic mold processing industry and will continue to provide the necessary technical support for domestic mold manufacturers to upgrade their技术水平, strengthen their competitiveness, and accelerate their integration into the global marketplace.

Apr 01,2022

Current Status of the Development Scale of Hardware Molds in China

At present, more than 6,000 mold‑making enterprises have clustered in the Shenzhen region and the Pearl River Delta, employing over 100,000 workers. The South China International Mould Exhibition, now in its fifth consecutive year in Shenzhen, has attracted over 1,000 companies from 25 countries and regions, making it today China’s most professional and internationally oriented trade show for the mold industry. In terms of production, the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta continue to enjoy strong growth momentum, while development in Northeast China and the central and western regions remains comparatively sluggish. Mold‑making operations within “mold cities,” specialized production clusters, and certain development zones and high‑tech parks are performing well. At the enterprise level, firms with distinctive strengths—capable of producing large, precision‑engineered, or highly complex molds—are generally enjoying robust order books, with some already struggling to keep up with demand. By contrast, companies of average or lower capability face meager orders and insufficient workloads. According to reports, most businesses currently take on second‑hand projects, relying heavily on sheer labor intensity to stay afloat. Domestic brands and high‑value‑added products remain scarce. Due to low product value‑addition, the average annual output value per worker in China is roughly US$10,000, whereas in leading mold‑making nations it typically ranges from US$150,000 to US$200,000, and in some cases even reaches US$250,000 to US$300,000.

Apr 01,2022

The Five Major Obstacles Facing China’s Casting Mold Industry

Developing standardized mold components is of great significance for shortening the mold design and manufacturing cycle, reducing production costs, and improving mold quality. If specialized production and commercial supply of these standard components can be achieved, it will greatly boost the development of China’s mold industry. In recent years, the plastic mold industry in China has grown rapidly, accompanied by increasingly fierce market competition. Following China’s entry into the WTO, foreign‑owned mold manufacturers have entered the domestic market. To stand out in this intense competition, developing standardized mold components and implementing specialized mold production are essential. According to Luo Baihui, Secretary-General of the International Mold Association, developed countries have a mold standardization rate of 70%–80%, whereas China lags behind at around 30%. Widespread adoption of standardized mold components could shorten the design and manufacturing cycle by 25%–40% and reduce labor waste caused by users having to replace non‑standard parts. While CAD/CAM technology is already widely used in mold design, promoting the use of standardized components enables partial resource sharing, significantly cutting down on design effort and time—thus playing a crucial role in advancing CAD/CAM technologies and enhancing mold precision. In the past, even a single damaged component would render an entire mold unusable. Because such parts were not standardized, finding replacements on the market was difficult; users had to go directly to the manufacturer, which was both time‑consuming and labor‑intensive. By contrast, using standardized components allows for easy repair or replacement, greatly extending the service life of molds. Today, domestic enterprises have recognized the importance of mold standardization. More than 100 companies now produce standardized mold components at a certain scale, with key products including plastic mold bases, side‑ejection mechanisms, ejector pins, and ejector tubes. In particular, plastic mold bases can now be manufactured in larger sizes, laying the groundwork for the development of large, high‑precision molds. Despite substantial progress in China’s mold industry, significant gaps remain compared with international standards. Implementing specialized mold production is a critical step toward accelerating industrial growth. Many regions across the country have established regional “mold cities,” which have played a positive role in fostering the mold industry. For example, Yuyao Mold City in Ningbo, Zhejiang, was China’s first such hub; it now hosts hundreds of mold enterprises and has spurred the development of the local and surrounding mold industries. Shenzhen, where specialized mold production has been successfully implemented, is home to nearly a thousand mold‑processing firms. These companies demonstrate a strong awareness of establishing quality‑assurance systems and show great enthusiasm for obtaining ISO 9000 certification, recognizing that specialized production serves as a gateway to the international market. Foreign‑invested mold enterprises hold an overwhelming advantage in Shenzhen, boasting nationally leading technical expertise, broad application of advanced technologies, a comprehensive range of mold types, high product quality, and short production cycles. With the exception of large cover‑part molds for automobiles, these firms can manufacture virtually all other types of molds, employing technologies such as high‑speed milling, gas‑assisted injection molding, reverse engineering, hot‑runner systems, and rapid prototyping. Shenzhen’s mold enterprises have not only achieved technological specialization but also increasingly adopt a production management model that places design at the forefront and arranges processing according to well‑defined workflow sequences. This approach lowers the demand for workers to possess all‑round technical skills, emphasizing specialization instead. Even so, molds produced in Shenzhen are still generally classified as mid‑to‑high‑end; some critical molds—such as those for copier main frames or high‑precision camera and video‑camera components—must still be imported. The implementation of standardization and specialization has propelled the development of China’s plastic mold‑processing industry and will continue to provide the necessary technical support for domestic mold manufacturers to upgrade their技术水平, strengthen their competitiveness, and accelerate their integration into the global market.

Apr 01,2022

(Transport Packaging) What types of molding dies are used for thermoformed products?

Plaster Mold Primarily, yellow vacuum-formed prototype plaster powder is used. If blueprints are provided, the mold is crafted using milling machines and manual techniques according to the blueprint specifications and requirements. If a physical sample is supplied, its outline is first replicated manually in clay, then vacuum-formed into a vacuum cover, followed by casting a plaster mold, which is subsequently refined and finalized. This process typically takes about 2–4 days. Plaster molds are easy to produce and relatively quick to manufacture, making them ideal for modifying product packaging. They are also cost-effective but less durable; after some use, they tend to deteriorate easily, resulting in lower transparency of the produced items. These molds are mainly suitable for initial prototype verification and products where high transparency in outer packaging is not required. Rubber Mold Typically, following product design specifications, a plaster mold is first created. A vacuum cover is then produced using this plaster mold, and a specially formulated high-temperature-resistant resin material is injected into the vacuum cover. Once the mold has dried completely, drilling and polishing operations are carried out. The entire process usually takes around 3–5 days. Resin molds are more expensive than copper or plaster molds, yet their performance is comparable to copper molds—more durable—and can address certain technical issues that copper or plaster molds cannot handle, such as watermarks appearing on product walls. These molds are particularly suited for specialized thermoformed products in electronics, toys, pharmaceuticals, food, automotive accessories, and other industries. Bakelite Mold Made from imported heating materials, Japanese-made high-temperature adhesive tape, and premium copper nails, bakelite molds offer even heat distribution and excellent sealing performance. They are compatible with various disc-type sealing machines, Taiwanese push-pull machines, and fully automatic chain-driven machines, primarily used for heat-sealing paper cards and blister packs. Electrolytic Copper Mold Following product design specifications, a plaster mold is first created. A vacuum cover is then produced using this plaster mold, placed inside an electrolytic tank, and allowed to build up a surface layer approximately 5–8 mm thick. Subsequently, the mold is filled with plaster, air holes are drilled, and the surface is polished smooth before it can be used. This process generally takes about 3–5 days. As a metal mold, it is highly durable, producing finished products with superior appearance and transparency. Its manufacturing costs are relatively low, and it finds wide application, making it the preferred choice under normal circumstances. It is especially suitable for high-quality thermoformed products in electronics, toys, stationery, cosmetics, automotive accessories, and other sectors requiring precise finishing. Aluminum Alloy Mold Based on provided thermoforming drawings or samples, data is entered into a computer-controlled lathe, which automatically completes most of the machining tasks. Additional manual work includes creating holes and designing undercut features, followed by meticulous polishing to achieve a smooth finish. The entire process typically takes about 5–7 days. These molds are manufactured using aluminum alloys such as ZL401, 6061, and 7075 via automated CNC machining. These molds boast exceptional precision, delivering products with beautifully defined contours and angles, while also offering outstanding durability. Their price is among the highest within the four main mold categories. They are ideally suited for applications demanding high aesthetic standards and exact dimensions, including electronics, gifts, toys, pharmaceuticals, stationery, and similar products. In fact, aluminum alloy molds are the preferred choice for large-scale, high-demand thermoforming production, offering advantages over plaster, copper, and rubber molds—longer service life, energy efficiency, higher productivity, and extremely low defect rates. Heat-Sealing Mold High-quality copper or aluminum alloy is used in heat-sealing molds, specifically designed to tackle the challenging issue of PET's resistance to high-frequency heat sealing. The mold surfaces are treated with Teflon to prevent PET from sticking, while edge patterns are digitally engraved for clear, uniform designs customizable according to customer preferences. High-Frequency Mold High-frequency molds utilize premium pressure lines, equipped with laser-cut blades ensuring clean, burr-free edges without any tearing. Edge patterns are digitally engraved, providing crisp, consistent textures that can be tailored to specific customer needs. Aircraft-shaped holes can be custom-made based on actual samples or drawings provided by clients. These molds are primarily used for welding double-blister packages made of PVC or PETG. Die-Cutting and Punching Molds Mainly employed for die-cutting and punching operations, including round holes, aircraft-shaped holes, and butterfly-shaped holes.

Apr 01,2022

Does a higher cost of plastic materials necessarily mean more stringent processing requirements and, at the same time, lower production costs?

Here, the editor will briefly explain the situation. The requirements of a manufacturing process do not depend solely on the materials; they also hinge on the product’s structure and the desired quality of the finished goods. While higher material costs inevitably lead to higher production expenses, this does not necessarily mean longer production times or higher labor costs—rather, it is the material cost that drives the overall expense.

Apr 01,2022

Can plastic water cups with the same cup shape but different materials use the same set of molds?

First, for plastic materials with similar material properties and the same manufacturing process, a single mold can often be shared. However, this is contingent on numerous factors—such as the product’s process requirements, production complexity, and its inherent structural characteristics. If all these conditions are met—for example, an AS blow-molding mold can also accommodate PC, and a PC mold can be used for Tritan—this does not mean that AS and Tritan can share a mold simply because AS and PC can. The manufacturing processes for AS and Tritan differ significantly, and their processing parameters vary considerably as well. Secondly, there are even more cases where sharing a mold is not feasible. Take, for instance, a simple disposable coffee cup: although both are produced using injection molds, melamine and Tritan cannot share a mold, as the two materials have entirely different production requirements—including distinct temperature settings, pressure levels, and molding cycle times. Whether it’s an injection mold or a blow‑molding mold, we fully understand buyers’ concerns, since plastic molds are relatively expensive and they seek to maximize compatibility and utilization. Therefore, when selecting materials for a plastic product, it’s essential to carefully consider which material will best suit your needs—provided that cost‑effectiveness and budgetary constraints allow for such a decision. Similarly, polypropylene (PP), due to its softer nature, is prone to shrinkage and other material‑related issues during production, so it likewise cannot share a mold with other plastics.

May 18,2026

What are the types of molds?

According to the workpiece and the manufacturing process, molds can be classified as follows: ① Molds for processing metals. ② Molds for processing non-metals and for powder metallurgy, including plastic molds (such as two‑color molds, compression molding molds, and extrusion molding molds), rubber molds, and powder metallurgy molds. Based on their structural characteristics, molds can further be divided into flat blanking dies and three‑dimensional cavity molds. Molds are typically produced in single pieces or small batches.