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What is the typical lead time for custom plastic injection mold fabrication?
Typical Lead Time for Custom Plastic Injection Mold Fabrication
For standard custom plastic injection molds, the typical lead time ranges from 20 to 35 working days. At LONGXIANG, we deliver most standard injection molds within this window. For complex multi-cavity or high-precision molds, the timeline may extend to 45–60 working days, while simple prototype molds can be completed in as few as 10–15 working days with our express service option.
Design & Engineering
3–7 days. Includes DFM analysis, 3D modeling, and mold flow simulation. LONGXIANG uses advanced CAD/CAM software to optimize designs before steel cutting.
Material Procurement
3–5 days. Steel selection based on your production volume and plastic material. LONGXIANG sources premium steels from certified suppliers.
Machining & Fabrication
10–18 days. CNC milling, EDM, wire cutting, and fitting. This is the core phase where precision determines mold quality.
Trial & Validation
3–5 days. First article inspection, dimensional measurement, and process validation. LONGXIANG provides a full T1 sample report.
Industry Lead Time Benchmarks
| Mold Type | Industry Average | xox Standard | xox Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prototype / Simple Mold | 4–6 weeks | 20–25 days | 10–15 days |
| Standard Production Mold | 6–10 weeks | 25–35 days | 18–25 days |
| Multi-Cavity / Family Mold | 8–14 weeks | 35–50 days | 25–35 days |
| High-Precision / Complex Mold | 12–20 weeks | 45–60 days | 35–45 days |
Key Factors Affecting Lead Time
1
Mold Complexity
Part geometry, undercuts, side actions, and tight tolerances add machining time.
2
Cavity Count
Multi-cavity molds require more machining and careful balancing of fill patterns.
3
Steel Hardness
Harder steels like H13 or 420SS take longer to machine than pre-hardened P20.
4
Surface Finish
Texture, mirror polish (SPI A1), or selective etching add finishing days.
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