A planning resource for brand and sourcing teams. Engineering recommendations are not a statement of a particular project's specification, inspection standard, price, MOQ or delivery commitment.
First, say what is being purchased and where it will run
A mold-only project has a different endpoint from a complete product manufacturing order. Identify the parts and revisions covered, the intended process, and whether the request is for a complete tool or another specifically defined tooling deliverable. This checklist focuses on injection mold handover; casting and vinyl tooling require a process-specific review rather than the same machine checklist.
Name the receiving production team early, even if it is a different supplier from the toolmaker. Agree who provides the machine information, reviews the tool concept and signs off samples. Record ownership, included files, release conditions and responsibilities in the commercial agreement. A payment description such as tooling fee does not, by itself, describe everything that will be delivered.
Build the handover package into the quotation
Ask for the proposed deliverable list with the quotation, not only when the tool is ready to ship. Mark which items are included, optional, supplied by the customer or not applicable. The following is a discussion checklist, not a promise that every ITTAK order automatically contains every listed document or accessory.
| Package item | What to define | Who should confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| Tool identification | Tool and part IDs, revision, cavity information and delivery scope | Buyer and toolmaker |
| Engineering information | Agreed drawings, file formats, component information and revision record | Toolmaker and receiving engineering team |
| Machine interfaces | Mounting, opening/ejection, injection and utility requirements | Receiving production team |
| Trial evidence | Sample identity, material, trial conditions and agreed inspection results | Toolmaker and buyer's approval team |
| Included hardware | Any agreed inserts, spare parts, controllers or associated accessories | Buyer, toolmaker and receiving team |
| Shipment and receipt | Protection, packing, transport responsibility and incoming checks | Shipping parties and receiving team |
Confirm machine compatibility before design freeze
Do not reduce compatibility to the receiving press's nominal clamping tonnage. Ask its engineering team to check the proposed mold envelope, mounting, opening and ejection requirements, injection interface and necessary utilities against the intended equipment. Any controllers, connections or auxiliary equipment should be identified before shipment, with unresolved details visible in the project record.
The objective is a documented agreement between the toolmaker and the receiving production team. Neither a general checklist nor a successful trial on the toolmaker's press guarantees the same outcome at another site. If the receiving equipment changes during development, revisit compatibility before treating the tool as ready for delivery.
Tie trial approval to a part revision and material
Agree what the initial tool trial must demonstrate and which observations are required for acceptance. Identify the material and color conditions, relevant part dimensions, visible surfaces and assembly interfaces. For toys and figures, include the mating parts needed to judge fit; an isolated component cannot demonstrate the complete assembly. Specify any requested reports rather than assuming they are included.
Record sample revisions and open issues after each review. Distinguish a correction to meet the approved design from a buyer-requested change to that design, and agree the resulting work before proceeding. Protolabs' published quality information illustrates why the requested inspection scope matters; its particular report packages and criteria are not automatically the scope of an ITTAK mold order.
Separate shipment acceptance from production release
Before dispatch, reconcile the agreed tool, documents, sample references and included hardware. Define how condition is recorded and who checks the shipment on arrival. For an existing-tool transfer, add relevant maintenance and modification history where available. Texas Injection Molding's transfer guidance emphasizes that process knowledge and quality requirements must travel with the physical tool.
At the receiving factory, plan incoming inspection, setup, trials and part approval before production release. Existing settings are reference information, not automatic acceptance on another machine. For an ITTAK mold-only inquiry, share a non-confidential part overview, design status, intended process and receiving-machine information if available. Missing information can be listed for review; confidential CAD should follow an agreed NDA and transfer method.
Common buyer questions
Can I order a mold from ITTAK without ordering production parts?
Yes. ITTAK supports standalone mold development and mold delivery. Specify that you need a mold-only project, identify the intended production process and receiving arrangement, and agree the deliverables and acceptance scope in the quotation.
Are drawings and spare parts always included with a mold?
They should be explicitly agreed. Confirm the document list, formats, revision status, included hardware and any separate charges before ordering. This checklist is not a standard contractual deliverable package.
Can a delivered mold run immediately at another factory?
That cannot be assumed. The receiving team must review compatibility and arrange appropriate inspection, setup, trials and approval. A successful pre-delivery sample is useful evidence but is not automatic production release at a different facility.
References and further reading
- Texas Injection Molding: Planning a tooling transfer
Manufacturer reference on transferring tooling knowledge, material requirements, quality criteria and trial information. It does not define ITTAK's contractual scope.
- Protolabs: Injection molding quality and inspections
Primary reference illustrating defined sample and inspection packages. Any ITTAK inspection deliverables must be agreed for the individual order.
Plan your next step
- Mold development and standalone mold delivery
- Plastic toy manufacturing
- Action figure joint design review
- Model-kit DFM: sprues, runners and gates
Start with a non-confidential overview. Ask about an NDA and an appropriate transfer method before sending unreleased designs.
Request a Project Review