Buyer Guide
Injection Mold Design Checklist Before Steel Cutting
Use this checklist before deposit to clarify parting line, gates, runners, cooling, ejection, sliders, lifters and acceptance criteria.
Why this matters
Use this checklist before deposit to clarify parting line, gates, runners, cooling, ejection, sliders, lifters and acceptance criteria. This checklist is the last practical moment to catch mold-structure issues before machining makes every change slower and more expensive.
Buyer checks
Approve parting-line position on visible surfacesConfirm gate location and expected gate markReview runner, cooling, venting and ejection assumptionsIdentify sliders, lifters, inserts and maintenance accessDocument T1 sample approval criteria
Quote variables
| Quote variable | Why it changes the mold route |
|---|---|
| Parting line | Cosmetic acceptance and demolding direction depend on where the mold opens. |
| Gate strategy | Gate position affects filling, weld lines, vestige and packing. |
| Cooling layout | Cooling quality affects cycle time, shrinkage and warpage. |
| Ejection | Poor ejection can damage surfaces or distort thin features. |
Common mistakes
Approving mold design without cosmetic-zone notesLeaving critical dimensions out of the drawingWaiting until T1 to discuss gate marks or ejector marks
How to apply it
Use the checklist during mold design approval and ask the supplier to mark open risks before steel cutting starts. If the project is early, the guide can show whether the next move is CAD cleanup, DFM review, prototype tooling, production mold planning, export mold handoff or repair review.