Tips for Extending Tool Life and Maximizing ROI
When it comes to injection molding, your mold is your most valuable asset. A well-designed, well-maintained mold can produce hundreds of thousands — even millions — of consistent parts over its lifetime. But when a mold fails prematurely, it can cause costly downtime, inconsistent quality, and a serious hit to your bottom line.
At Nylacarb, we’ve spent decades perfecting our approach to long-lasting, high-performing tools. Here’s what you should on how to improve mold longevity and get the most from your investment.
1. Start with Smart Mold Design
Tool longevity begins before the first shot is ever run. A mold that’s designed with durability and function in mind will naturally perform better over time. Key design considerations include:
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Material selection: Hardened tool steel vs. aluminum, depending on part volume and resin abrasiveness.
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Proper venting: Reduces pressure and wear, preventing premature breakdowns.
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Cooling system layout: Efficient cooling keeps cycle times low and temperature stress to a minimum.
At Nylacarb, our in-house designers work closely with clients and toolmakers to ensure every mold is engineered for both performance and longevity.
2. Choose the Right Steel for the Job
Not all steel is created equal — and not every project needs the most expensive option.
But skimping on material can lead to faster wear, cracking, or corrosion. For example:
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P20 steel is great for medium-volume molds and is cost-effective.
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H13 or S7 tool steel offers exceptional strength and heat resistance for high-volume or abrasive applications.
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Stainless steels resist corrosion, especially when molding corrosive materials or in humid environments.
We help our clients balance cost, expected life, and part requirements to make the right material choice from the start.
3. Precision Machining & Surface Finishing Matter
A perfectly machined mold doesn’t just produce better parts — it also reduces wear and tear. Proper tolerances, polished cavities, and deburred edges ensure smooth operation with fewer defects and less friction over time.
We polish, clean, and preform regular in-house maintenance on molds to guarantee every surface performs exactly as needed, every time.
4. Maintain Your Mold — Or Pay the Price
Regular maintenance is the most overlooked — but most critical — factor in tool longevity.
We recommend:
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Routine cleaning: Especially after long runs or when using filled resins.
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Inspection for wear: Look for signs of flashing, erosion, or corrosion.
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Lubrication of moving parts: Slides, lifters, and ejectors need to stay smooth to prevent seizing or misalignment.
- Environmentally Controlled Storage: Storing molds between use in a temperature and humidity controlled location.
Even a well-built mold will degrade without maintenance. That’s why we also offer mold maintenance services to help our partners keep tools in top shape between runs.
5. Partner With a Shop That Knows the Value of Your Tooling
Molds are an investment — and like any investment, they should be treated with care, attention, and expertise. At Nylacarb, we treat every tool with care. From upfront design consulting to lifetime maintenance support, we build partnerships that prioritize performance and reliability. We only partner with trusted tool makers with a proven track record when it comes to quality and communication.
Ready to Extend the Life of Your Next Mold?
Let’s talk. Whether you’re building a brand-new tool or trying to get more mileage out of an existing one, Nylacarb is here to help you do it right — the first time.
👉 Contact us today to discuss your next project.