How to Select an Injection Mould for Your Plastic Material and Production Needs

Selecting an injection mould starts with your resin, part requirements, and planned production quantity. Longterm lists S50C and P20 for mould bases, 718H, 1.2738, and S136 for cavity steel, and cold- or hot-runner configurations. Its stated mould life is 50,000–1,000,000 shots. These options are not matched to specific resins or shot-life tiers in the available product information, so confirm the proposed tooling against your project requirements.

Start with Material and Part Requirements

Share the plastic material, part design, and operating conditions with the mould maker before choosing steel or runner type. Longterm offers S50C and P20 mould bases, with 718H, 1.2738, and S136 listed as cavity-steel choices. Both cold-runner and hot-runner systems are available, but the product data does not identify which combination is appropriate for a particular resin or part. Request a project-specific recommendation.

Match Tool Life to Forecast Volume

Compare your expected total shot count with the stated mould-life range of 50,000–1,000,000 shots. Because no life estimate is assigned to a particular steel, design, or production condition, ask the supplier to confirm the expected service life for your proposed mould. The listed minimum order is one set, and the stated delivery period is 25–40 days; confirm the schedule for your project before placing an order.

Set Inspection and Approval Criteria

The listed quality checks include a mould trial, dimensional inspection, and a full inspection before shipment. Define the critical dimensions, acceptance criteria, and sample-approval process with the supplier in advance. Longterm's described service model covers custom tooling and mould development followed by injection-moulding production, with sample approval before mass production.

Available Options and Project Checks

Applications and Company Information

Longterm cites consumer-electronics components, including housings and connectors, as well as household-appliance parts such as housings and control panels. The company also reports supplying three mould sets for a handheld electronic-device housing project in Italy. Its account of that project mentions dimensional precision, a smooth surface, and on-time delivery; these are company-reported case details, not a guarantee for other projects.

The company reports ISO 9001:2015 certification covering the design, manufacture, and sale of precision moulds, as well as sales of plastic products. Before ordering, ask for the proposed steel, runner system, expected mould life, inspection plan, and schedule to be documented in your project specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cavity steels can I choose from?

The listed options are 718H, 1.2738, and S136. The product information does not map these steels to particular plastic materials, so request a recommendation based on your resin and part requirements.

How can I determine whether the mould will last for my production run?

Use your forecast shot count as a starting point and compare it with the stated range of 50,000–1,000,000 shots. Ask the mould maker to confirm the expected life for your specific design, steel, and production conditions.

What inspections are included?

The listed checks are a mould trial, dimensional inspection, and full pre-shipment inspection. Agree on inspection measurements and sample-approval criteria before production.

Next Steps

To specify a mould for your application, provide the resin, part requirements, and expected shot count. Have the supplier confirm the steel, runner configuration, applicable mould-life estimate, inspection criteria, and delivery schedule. Longterm lists online technical support, maintenance guidance, and spare-parts supply. For technical support or project details, contact Roger Luo at rogerluo@longterm-mold.com.

About Longterm

Longterm Manufacturing Solutions Limited was founded in 2010 and provides mould design, tooling, precision machining, mould manufacturing, and parts production. The company serves customers in North America, Europe, Australia, and other markets. It reports a 2,000-square-meter factory and a 50-person team, with cooperation cases in consumer electronics, home appliances, and industrial parts.