Simple molds and formal molds serve distinct roles in manufacturing—one for quick, low-cost production and the other for high-precision, mass-scale output. Understanding their differences is critical for businesses to choose the right tooling, whether for product prototyping, small-batch trials, or large-volume manufacturing. В этой статье разбивается core differences between simple mold and formal mold через 7 ключевые области, plus practical guidance on when to use each.
1. Core Difference: Design Precision (Low Tolerance vs. Высокая терпимость)
The most impactful divide between simple molds and formal molds lies in their design precision—a factor that directly determines the quality and usability of the final product.
| Тип плесени | Сложность дизайна | Точность размеров | Диапазон толерантности | Typical Application Example |
| Simple Mold | Relatively simple; no complex structural details | Низкий (focuses on basic shape, not tight fits) | ±0.5mm or larger | Non-fitting parts (НАПРИМЕР., plastic spacers for low-stress devices, decorative plastic trims) |
| Formal Mold | Complex and precise; strictly follows product blueprints | Высокий (critical for assembly and functionality) | ±0.01mm to ±0.1mm | Precision-fitting parts (НАПРИМЕР., Компоненты автомобильного двигателя, medical device connectors, electronic device housings) |
2. Сравнение бок о бок: Simple Mold vs. Formal Mold Across 6 Key Areas
To quickly evaluate which mold fits your production needs, use this comprehensive table comparing their material selection, обработка, Системы охлаждения, и еще.
| Категория сравнения | Simple Mold | Formal Mold | Ключевой вынос |
| Выбор материала | – Бюджетный, easy-to-process materials: Ordinary steel (НАПРИМЕР., 45 сталь), алюминиевые сплавы, resins.- Weak strength, твердость, и износить стойкость. | – High-quality mold steels: P20 (pre-hardened steel), H13 (hot-work steel), Cr12MoV (cold-work steel).- Отличная сила, твердость, износостойкость, и теплостойкость. | Simple molds prioritize cost; formal molds prioritize durability for mass production. |
| Processing Technology | – Basic machining methods: Поворот, фрезерование, grinding.- No need for high-precision equipment; some can be made by hand or simple welding.- Short manufacturing cycle (Дни до 1 неделя). | – Передовой, high-precision processes: Обработка с ЧПУ, Эдм (Электрическая обработка), wire EDM.- Requires heat treatment (гашение, отпуск) to enhance mold performance.- Long manufacturing cycle (2–8 недель). | Simple molds save time for quick production; formal molds need precision for consistent quality. |
| Система охлаждения | – Minimal or no dedicated cooling: May have 1–2 basic cooling channels, or rely on natural heat dissipation.- Risk of uneven mold temperature (causes product defects like warping). | – Complete, optimized cooling system: Strategically placed cooling channels; precise control of cooling media (вода, масло).- Стремительный, uniform cooling (improves production efficiency and product stability). | Formal molds avoid heat-related defects; simple molds work only for low-output scenarios. |
| Механизм выброса | – Простой дизайн: Uses basic ejector pins or push blocks.- High risk of product damage (НАПРИМЕР., “top whitening” marks, царапины). | – Сложный, tailored design: Chooses ejection methods based on product shape (протолкнуть тарелку, air jacking, hydraulic ejection).- Equipped with reset mechanisms to ensure smooth demolding (no product damage). | Formal molds protect product quality; simple molds are acceptable only for low-value parts. |
| Служба срока службы | – Короткий: Produces only dozens to hundreds of parts.- Wears quickly due to low-quality materials and basic processing. | – Длинный: Produces tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of parts.- Resists wear and fatigue (thanks to high-grade steel and heat treatment). | Simple molds suit small batches; formal molds are cost-effective for mass production. |
| Cost Investment | – Low upfront cost: \(500- )5,000 (материал + basic processing + low labor fees).- Quick return on investment for trial runs. | – High upfront cost: \(10,000- )100,000+ (high-quality steel + точная обработка + skilled labor).- Economical in the long run for large volumes (low per-part cost). | Simple molds fit tight budgets; formal molds are a long-term investment for scaling. |
3. When to Choose Simple Mold vs. Formal Mold? (Step-by-Step Decision Guide)
Use this linear, question-driven process to align your mold choice with production goals:
Шаг 1: Clarify Production Volume
- Маленькие партии (10–500 деталей) или прототипирование: Выбирать simple mold. Например, if you’re testing a new plastic toy design, a simple resin mold can produce 100 samples quickly and cheaply.
- Большие партии (1,000+ части): Выбирать formal mold. Например, Производство 50,000 plastic bottle caps requires a formal steel mold to ensure consistency and avoid frequent mold replacements.
Шаг 2: Evaluate Product Precision Needs
- Low-precision parts (no assembly or stress): Использовать simple mold. Examples include decorative keychains or plastic plant pots.
- Высокие детали (assembly or safety-critical): Использовать formal mold. Examples include smartphone charging port housings or medical syringe components.
Шаг 3: Consider Budget & Timeline
- Tight timeline (1–2 недели) or limited budget: Выберите simple mold—it can be made in days and costs a fraction of a formal mold.
- Long-term production (6+ месяцы): Инвестировать в formal mold—the higher upfront cost is offset by lower per-part costs and fewer maintenance issues.
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Simple Mold vs. Formal Mold
В Yigu Technology, we advise clients to view simple molds and formal molds as sequential tools, not competitors. Many businesses waste money by jumping straight to formal molds for prototyping—for example, using a \(50,000 formal mold to test a product design that still needs revisions. We recommend starting with a simple mold (стоимость \)1,000- 3000 долларов) to validate the design, gather user feedback, and refine the product. Как только дизайн завершен, we then help transition to a formal mold optimized for mass production. This approach cuts prototyping costs by 70–80% and ensures the formal mold delivers maximum value. For clients with tight budgets, we also offer “semi-formal molds” (mid-grade materials + basic precision) as a balance between speed and durability.
Часто задаваемые вопросы: Common Questions About Simple Mold and Formal Mold
- Q.: Can a simple mold be modified to improve its precision or service life?
А: Limitedly. Simple molds use low-quality materials (НАПРИМЕР., смола, 45 сталь) that can’t withstand heat treatment or precision reworking. Modifications may improve performance slightly (НАПРИМЕР., adding a basic cooling channel) but won’t match a formal mold’s durability or accuracy.
- Q.: Is a formal mold worth the cost if my product volume is 2,000 части?
А: It depends on the part’s value. Для дорогостоящих запчастей (НАПРИМЕР., \(50 Медицинские компоненты), a formal mold’s consistency reduces defect rates (saving money on wasted materials) and is worth the investment. For low-value parts (НАПРИМЕР., \)1 plastic spoons), a simple mold may still be cheaper, even with multiple mold replacements.
- Q.: What materials are best for simple molds if I need to produce 300 Пластиковые детали?
А: Для 300 части, алюминиевый сплав или эпоксидная смола Идеально. Aluminum is easy to machine (быстрее, чем сталь) and more durable than resin, while resin is cheaper and better for complex shapes. Both materials can handle 300 parts without excessive wear.