LOW-VOLUME MOLDING for 4 BENEFITS

In a fast-paced market, it’s essential to bring customer-specific parts and items for a plastic manufacturer on the market quickly , while achieving the required tolerance, finish, and function. In our last blog Low and High-Volume Manufacturing: Injection Molding, we briefly spoke about the advantages of both low-volume as well as high-volume manufacturing. The next blog we will be taking a closer look at the benefits of low-volume manufacturing and how this type of production can provide fast turnarounds on a budget.

Low-Volume Molding

Low-volume molding, also known as short-runs is a special service that offers full-production ABS injection parts restricted in size to 10,000 units or less that are high in quality. This is becoming a popular choice for a variety of product categories because it allows for a smaller investment in materials as well as quick access to markets, more the flexibility of design, and also as a bridge to prototypes and high-volume production.

Save On Costs

Contrary to popular opinion there isn’t always a guarantee that buying in bulk saves money. This is valid for household goods, but when it is manufactured, the cost per unit is largely dependent on the materials which are used.

In addition, factories with large production volumes may impose minimum order requirements in order to cover costs for setting up and offset the cost of large production investments. Low-volume manufacturing has less overhead and the products can be manufactured without the need to place a minimum order. This is particularly beneficial to clients who want to have the product or component they want on a small scale, and also if they realize that they may have to change the design in the near future. This also means that they won’t be inundated with outdated inventory created due to a manufacturer’s minimum orders.

Time to The Market

Being the first to enter the low volume injection molding market with the product could be the key to success or failure. A highly competitive market can lead to an increase in demands on manufacturers and developers to develop high-quality products in very little time.

If you are in a market that has to adhere to certain laws and regulations, such as medical devices must be in compliance with FDA rules, it’s crucial that the manufacturer is able to quickly remove inefficiencies and provide quality parts prototypes in just a few days. It is essential that a company uses up to date software, like SOLIDWORKS CAD, to review the design of your part. This standardized system can help to provide a quick quote and accurately, while identifying potential problems prior to the mold is constructed.

Design Flexibility

Since the injection molding PLA products are produced in smaller amounts in short-runs, it won’t affect the entire order if an organization wants to change or change the design. Companies can perfect the product before it is consumer-facing.

A reliable manufacturer should give immediate design feedback to improve production capabilities of parts after the quotation is made. This can speed up the process and help eliminate any potential performance or visual imperfections before the first pieces are made. Manufacturing in low-volume quantities is typical in the biotechnology and medical device fields, as innovative concepts are evaluated in pilot markets or in clinical trials prior to launching to the market or mass production of the product.

Bridge for Scale

If a business plans to go into mass production, low-volume production can be used for bridge production between the prototyping and full-scale production. In low volume injection molding can address the effects of inventory surplus as it allows you to work within smaller quantities which you’ll actually require. It can provide a variety of benefits such as:

Bringing a feasible product to manufacturing after prototyping, but without an enormous commitment to quantity