Glasses frame mould

When sourcing high-precision moulds, you must prioritize Steel Grade (such as S136 or H13) to ensure corrosion resistance and a high polish finish. The Mould Life should be guaranteed for at least 500,000 to 1,000,000 shots. Additionally, verify the Cavity Number (single vs. multi-cavity) to balance production speed with unit cost, and ensure the Cooling System is optimized to prevent frame warping.

Different materials require specific mould designs. For TR90 (Memory Plastic), the mould must handle high injection pressures and specific shrinkage rates. For Acetate, you may require compression moulds rather than injection moulds. Always provide your supplier with the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of your raw material to ensure the mould shrinkage ratio is calculated accurately.

The manufacturer should ideally hold ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management. For the eyewear industry, precision is non-negotiable; ensure the supplier uses CNC machining and EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) with a tolerance level of ±0.01mm. Request a Mould Flow Analysis report before production to identify potential air traps or weld lines that could affect the frame's aesthetic.

Yes, you should look for Modular Mould Designs or Interchangeable Inserts. This allows you to change specific parts of the frame (like the bridge width or logo area) without building an entirely new mould base, significantly reducing R&D costs and shortening time-to-market for new collections.

Never authorize final payment without a T1 Sample Approval. Request the supplier to send physical samples produced from the mould for your inspection. Furthermore, ask for a Video Trail Run showing the mould operating on an injection machine. For high-value orders, hiring a third-party inspection service (like SGS or Intertek) to visit the factory in China is highly recommended.

Use a staged payment structure: typically 30%-40% deposit, 30% after T1 sample approval, and the balance after final inspection but before shipment. To ensure transaction security, conduct your business through reputable channels like Made-in-China.com, utilizing their Secured Trading services to protect your funds until delivery milestones are met.

IP theft is a significant risk. Ensure you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a Manufacturing Agreement that explicitly states you own the exclusive rights to the mould design. Choose reputable suppliers on Made-in-China.com who have a history of working with international brands and a clean record regarding IP protection.

Due to the extreme weight of steel moulds, Sea Freight (LCL or FCL) is the most economical option. Ensure the mould is treated with anti-rust oil and packed in a fumigated wooden box reinforced with metal straps. For urgent modifications, small inserts can be sent via Air Express, but the main mould base should always travel by sea to minimize logistics overhead.