A commodity mold, also known as a production mold, is a type of mold used in the manufacturing industry to produce high volumes of identical parts. Commodity molds are typically made from steel or aluminum and are designed for long-term use in high-volume production environments. These molds are used in a variety of industries, including automotive, consumer goods, and medical devices, among others.
The primary use of commodity molds is to produce parts in high volumes at a low cost per part. Commodity molds are designed for high productivity and are capable of producing hundreds of thousands or even millions of parts over their lifetime. The molds are used to produce a wide range of parts, including small components such as caps and closures, as well as larger parts such as automotive components.
Commodity molds are also used to produce parts with complex shapes and features. The molds can be designed to incorporate features such as undercuts, threads, and other complex geometries, which would be difficult or impossible to produce using other manufacturing methods. This makes commodity molds a versatile and cost-effective option for producing a wide range of parts with varying levels of complexity.
Another advantage of commodity molds is their ability to produce parts with consistent quality and precision. The molds are designed to produce parts with tight tolerances, ensuring that each part is identical to the next. This level of precision is essential for industries such as medical devices, where even small variations in part dimensions can impact the functionality of the device.
Commodity molds also offer flexibility in terms of production volume. The molds can be used to produce small volumes of parts for prototyping and testing, as well as large volumes for mass production. This makes commodity molds a cost-effective option for companies that require flexibility in their production volume.