FAQ

To provide you with a detailed quotation, we require the following information:

• Your contact details
• 3D data/drawing
• The desired material
• The quantity required
• The target delivery date

Where possible, 3D data for the component should be provided in one of the following formats: STEP, STL, VDA, IGES or CATIA; other formats on request.

Additional 2D data should, where possible, be in PDF or TIF format.

Yes, if required, we can provide you with the tool design in a free viewer with measurement functions.

We are happy to accommodate your requirements regarding injection and shrinkage. Please note these either on the drawing or on the order form. Naturally, we can also discuss any specific requirements for your project during a technical consultation.

For an additional charge, we can also carry out tests with different injection points on request.

Please note that initial sampling generally takes place without the customer being present. Once the tool inserts have been run in, you are, of course, welcome to see your tools in action upon request and by prior arrangement.

Your future series production supplier is also very welcome to attend.

Yes, we are happy to pass on the insights gained from your prototype mould to you or your mould-making team. We are also happy to draw on the expertise you have gained from your experience with similar moulds.

The tool consists of the inserts manufactured for you, as well as a master tool specially designed to fit them. The inserts belong to you, whilst the master tool remains our property, as it is used for several customers and tools.

As a rule, we retain the tool inserts so that we can reproduce parts for you at any time. However, if you wish, we will of course post the tool inserts to you.

No, we do not use complete steel tools. In exceptional cases, we manufacture individual tool components from steel to meet specific requirements.

As a rule, we adhere to DIN 20457 TG6 for plastic parts. However, if these tolerances are not sufficient for you, we should clarify any specific requirements in advance.

The key advantage of using aluminium in toolmaking is the high degree of flexibility it offers when making adjustments or modifications to tools. Particularly when adjusting functional dimensions, tolerances for lengths, clearances and diameters can be ‘fine-tuned’ very effectively (e.g. by readjusting previously agreed allowance dimensions). Interchangeable inserts or contour modifications to the existing tool can also generally be incorporated cost-effectively and easily, particularly if these are agreed in advance.

In line with your enquiry, we guarantee minimum service life for the tools. If a tool breaks down before this period has elapsed, we will repair it at our own expense. If the damage occurs later, we will offer repairs or a new tool at a competitive price.

Unless otherwise agreed, tools will be retained for at least 3 years after the last order for parts.

We offer the following part sizes:
Part volumes from 0 to approx. 1000 cm³ (approx. 1360 g for PA66 GF30 = 1360 kg/m³)

Component dimensions:

• Maximum component length: approx. 600 mm
• Maximum component height: approx. 240 mm
• Projected area: approx. 1,000 cm², depending on wall thickness

When undertaking a new project, we are happy to assess feasibility and identify opportunities for optimisation at the outset. We can carry out simple implementations based on your specifications; for more complex tasks, we offer the support of external design engineers.

In such cases, please involve us in the project as early as possible. We can make almost anything possible. Depending on the design of our first mould, modifications or coatings may need to be planned in order to achieve the maximum possible service life. If necessary, a second mould should also be manufactured to ensure we can continue to supply products for an extended period without any downtime. Capacity is always reserved in our injection moulding shop for such emergencies.

The quickest way is to call us on +49 6071 9229-0. We can put you through directly to one of our sales representatives during the call and discuss your project in detail.

You can also contact us by fax on +49 6071 9229-11, or by email at info@solidtec.de or via our contact form.

Yes, we do produce 2K moulds, but we build them as two separate moulds; the parts are transferred by hand.

In principle, yes – please include a sketch or description of the tool with your enquiry.

The following options are available to ensure secure data transmission:

• Send data via Odette (if you have Odette) › Download the PDF for data transfer via Odette
• Burn the data onto a CD in encrypted form and post it to us
• Encrypt the data and send it by email (e.g. using 7-Zip)

Yes, many of our customers do this, as they often have better purchasing terms. That is why we usually also quote the price of parts excluding plastic.

We have suppliers for most types of plastic. As a rule, we are required to purchase a minimum quantity of 25 kg. We will invoice you for the plastic at our purchase prices, plus a flat-rate handling fee of €75. Delivery times available on request.

If we have the type you require in stock, there is no minimum order quantity.

Set-up costs cover all work involved in the manufacture of your parts, such as:

• Removing the tool inserts and fitting them into a master mould
• Preparing the plastic granules (e.g. drying)
• Setting up the injection moulding machine with the mould and material
• Starting up the injection moulding machine and loading the mould parameters
• Dismantling the injection moulding machine and cleaning the barrel
• Removing and cleaning the mould inserts
• Storing the mould inserts

Differences in the scale of set-up costs are usually related to the size of the mould used and whether an additional temperature control unit (for high-temperature plastics) is required.

At the time the quotation is issued, many parameters are often still unknown. The plastic is frequently still being modified, or a specific type has yet to be specified. Sometimes the enquiry details are still very rudimentary, and it is not yet possible to estimate a suitable component volume for calculating material requirements. It is difficult to calculate prices in such cases. It frequently takes too long to obtain exact price quotations from plastic suppliers. Furthermore, the price fluctuates significantly depending on the quantity required, which is still unknown as the exact number of units has not yet been finalised. Many of our customers also have material in stock themselves, which they wish to supply to us.

If you require parts from a mould on a long-term basis and a part price inclusive of material is absolutely essential, we recommend that you only request this after the initial sampling, finalisation of the material specification and once a realistic part requirement has been established.

Yes.

We are able to supply small silicone moulds ourselves and are equipped to produce liquid silicone rubber (LSR) components with a shot weight of up to 10 g. For larger LSR components, we would be happy to recommend a reliable partner. Please do get in touch with us.

Typical orders range from 5 parts (prototypes for testing purposes) up to 100,000 parts and more (small production runs). The output rates of aluminium mould inserts depend largely on the plastic used. These can usually be increased slightly by using multi-cavity moulds or reinforced materials.

As a guide to the maximum output volumes from single-cavity moulds, the following values can be taken as an example:

• Unfilled PP: 70,000 units
• Unfilled ABS / POM / PA / PC: 50,000 pieces
• PA6 with 30% glass bead filler: 40,000 pieces
• PA with 10 per cent glass fibre reinforcement: 30,000 pieces
• PA with 30% glass fibre filling: 40,000 pieces
• PPS: 2,000 pieces
• PEEK: 1,000 pieces

As a general rule, we process all thermoplastics except PVC; however, with certain types of material, such as PPS or PEEK, the service life of our tool inserts is reduced.