How to Distinguish the Grade of Injection Mould?

Let’s take a look at the five major classifications of SPI Plastic Injection Mould Standard.

The American Plastics Industry Association (SPIAN-102-78) divides molds into five standard categories. These five types of Plastic Injection Moulds each have different requirements. This classify is only suitable for molds with Plastic Injection Molding at 400 tons or less.

Class 101

When we say Class 101 Injection Mould, it means cycle time can reach 1 million shots, it is used in products with extremely high output. Normally choose the best mold steel, so the price is extremely expensive. The requirements are as follows:

1) Detailed mold design information is required.
2) Hardness has to reach at least BHN280 (HRC 30)
3) The mold surface (including the cavity and core ) must be at least in the BHN450 (48RC) hardness range. Hard tool steel should be used for all other accessories such as sliders, lifters.
4) Must have the ejector guides
5) The side slider must be equipped with a loss plate
6) Cavity side, core side, sliders, or somewhere else may need the temperature controller
7) For the mold life, the quality of the product will be reduced due to the erosion of the cooling water pipeline and the injection molding cycle increased. It is recommended to have an embedded member or template for cooling the water to be treated for erosion prevention.
8) All molds of this type are equipped with a parting line clamping system.

Class 102

When we say Class 102 Injection Mould, The cycle time can reach 500,000 shots to 1 million shots. For high-volume production, it is made of better quality mold steel and is expensive. The requirements are as follows:

1) Detailed mold design information is required.
2) Hardness requirements must be at least BHN280 (HRC30)
3) The surface hardness of the cavity and core sides shall be in the range of BHN540 (HRC 48). All other functional accessories should be heat treated.
4) Cavity side, core side, sliders, or somewhere else may need the temperature controller
5) All molds of this type are equipped with a parting line clamping system.
6) The following project possibilities are required or not, depending on the final production quantity considerations. It is recommended that these projects also make a confirmed quotation.
7) Ejector guide
8) Slider Consumable Plate
9) Controller pipe that has been treated for erosion protection
10) Plating on mold

Class 103

When we say Class 103 Injection Mould, the cycle can reach 500,000 times. For medium production quantities, the price is reasonable. The required standards are as follows:

1) Detailed mold design information is required.
2)Hardness requirements must be at least BHN165 (HRC17)
3) The cavity and core must have a minimum hardness of BHN280 (HRC30) or more.

4) Free choice of all other accessories

Class 104

When we say Class 104 Injection Mould, the cycle can reach 100,000 times. For low-volume products, the mold material wear resistance is not high, and the price is lower than the general level. The requirements are as follows:

1) Suggest to offer mold design information
2) The mold base can be gentle steel or aluminum
3)The mold base can be aluminum, gentle steel or other identifiable material

4) All other accessories are free to choose

Class 105

When we say Class 105 Injection Mould, the cycle does not exceed 500 times. Used to produce a limited number of prototypes, the price is very cheap. The requirements are as follows:
The mold structure may be die-cast material, epoxy or other material that provides sufficient strength to produce the lowest number of first samples.