Custom Manufacturing / Purchasing guide
Before ordering tooling, agree what the tooling deliverable includes and how the approved part geometry will be controlled. The discussion should cover design files, sample approval, tool identification and the practical arrangements for future production. A mold charge by itself does not explain the scope of development or the conditions for later use.
Catalogue reference image. Confirm the quoted configuration against the agreed drawing.
Define the development stages
Separate design review, tooling manufacture, trial parts and production approval. Identify the deliverable and acceptance point at each stage. If geometry is still evolving, decide how changes are reviewed and quoted. This gives both parties a clear way to distinguish a planned development iteration from an unapproved change.
Clarify the commercial scope
Ask what is included in the tooling quotation: the identified tool, fixtures, trial work, inspection and any associated design deliverables. Record agreed arrangements for custody, maintenance, changes and future use in the project documentation. Resolve contractual terms with the parties responsible for the agreement rather than assuming a standard policy.
Tie approval to a controlled sample
Use a sample identifier, drawing revision and recorded inspection result when the part is approved. Capture any accepted deviations explicitly. A verbal statement that the mold “looks good” is not a clear release instruction for a later production batch.
Information to include in your enquiry
| Review item | Information to provide |
|---|---|
| Stages | Review, tool build, trial and approval |
| Deliverables | Identified tooling and included development work |
| Records | Custody, maintenance and change arrangements |
| Release | Approved sample and governing drawing revision |
Frequently asked questions
Does paying a mold charge settle every tooling term?
No. The agreed documentation must define the scope and arrangements.
Should production start immediately after the first sample?
Only after the project’s agreed sample acceptance and production release have been completed.
Discuss your carbon fiber component
Send your drawing revision, intended application, quantity and acceptance requirements to Litian Yunde for a project review.