Several companies are there which render services on the basis of design, build tooling and patterns for molding processes. Different molding processes include :

• Compression molding
• Blow molding
• Die forging
• Die casting
• Injection molding
• Sand casting
• Extrusion
• Permanent mold casting
• Investment casting
• Rotational molding
• Lost foam casting
• Transfer molding
• Thermoforming

Amongst them all, for metals mold making processes comprise die casting, die forging and mold casting. For plastic and rubbers, processes include thermoforming, extrusion and injection molding.


What these services provide ?
These services lend design assistance, CAD/CAM support, model making, model texturing, rapid prototyping and production facilities. To fabricate products accurately and quickly, CAD ( Computer aided drafting or designing ) technology is used whereas CAM ( Computer aided manufacturing ) is used to construct products directly from CAD outputs. The design assistance can help with concepts, manufacturing costs, manufacturing techniques and material considerations such as sourcing. Also, these assistance aid with upgrading, redesigning, reevaluating or modernizing existing products to raise performance and lower manufacturing costs. Some of these services proffer on-site manufacturing of formulation quantities and create prototypes for visual or tryout inspection. Before investing in hard tooling, some services can produce models of finished products while some can add textures for cosmetic or functional purposes.

Certifications :
The mold making services are comprised with different forms of certifications like ISO 9001:2000, AS 9000, QS-9000 etc.

• ISO 9001 :2000: The ISO 9001:2000 accredition is helpful in establishing relevant requirements for company QMS ( Quality management system ) and enfold standards varying from manufacturing to services such as design, development, production and installation.
• AS 9000: The AS 9000 certification is published by SAE ( Society of Automotive Engineers ) in cooperation with various aerospace manufacturers which follows a particular set of qualitative guidelines and requirements. Based on ISO 9001, AS 9000 maintains an appropriate attention on the aerospace industry.
• QS 9000: This quality certification is for the suppliers of Daimler Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation. Based on 1994 edition of ISO 9001, this standard comprises additional needs in particular with the automotive industry. Usually, this is applicable to suppliers of production materials, production and service parts, heat-treating, painting, plating and other finishing services.

Applications :
Mold making services are widely used in a large number of industries and other applications like :

• Automotive industry
• Aerospace industry
• Optical industry
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Food processing
• Medical industry
• Other industries including electrical, electronic and semiconductor products.