Contract manufacturing in injection molding is the process of outsourcing the production of plastic parts or components to a manufacturer who specializes in injection molding. 

This process starts at the design phase and ends with an assembled, ready-to-ship product.  Full-service contractors offer tool-making and can offer design support in the early stages of the process.

Contract manufacturers that specialize in injection molding have the expertise, equipment, and resources to produce high-quality plastic parts efficiently and cost-effectively, adding value-added services that allow you to focus on your core competencies. 

The process of contract manufacturing in injection molding typically involves the following steps:

1. Design and prototyping: The customer will provide the contract manufacturer with the design and specifications for the plastic part they need. A DFM (design for manufacturability) study is conducted to prove out the design.  The contract manufacturer may then create a prototype to test the design before moving forward with production. Round Mate is a proven prototype system that can be used for prototyping.
   
   
2. Mold design and fabrication: Once the design has been finalized, the contract manufacturer will create a mold that can produce the desired part. Molds can be built in multiple tool steels depending on the application and longevity of the product.  Lean manufacturing and modular tooling can help improve your speed to market.  Tight tolerance tooling will help ensure you receive parts that meet your quality specifications. 
   
   
3. Injection molding:  By using a scientific molding process, a stable injection molding process will be developed.  This will also ensure that the product is consistently run to meet the established quality criteria.  Once the tool has been validated using various validation processes such as IQ/OQ/PC or PPAP, the production process can begin. 
   
   
4. Secondary Operations:   A contract manufacturer may also provide value-added processes such as trimming, welding, painting, or assembly. 
   
   
5. Quality Control:  The finished parts are inspected for quality throughout the process.  The supplier may have QMS certifications such as ISO 9001:2015, IATF 169419, and ISO 13485 that help to maintain quality processes throughout the organization. 

Contract manufacturing in injection molding can offer many benefits, including cost savings, production scalability, and access to specialized expertise and equipment.

It allows companies to focus on their core competencies while outsourcing their plastic part production to a trusted partner.

The key benefits of contract manufacturing include:

1. Cost savings: As inflation continues to rise, we are all looking for ways to cut costs.  Contract manufacturing allows companies to take advantage of economies of scale and reduce their production costs. Contract manufacturers often have access to specialized equipment and materials, and they can spread their fixed costs over multiple clients. This can result in lower per-unit costs for the company that is outsourcing the manufacturing.  A turn-key solution can also lower the cost of logistics and shore up supply chain issues. 
   
   
2. Increased production capacity: Contract manufacturing allows companies to scale up their production quickly and easily without investing in additional equipment or facilities. This can be especially beneficial for companies that experience sudden increases in demand or need to produce a new product quickly.  Modular tooling, such as Round Mate, can offer vertical expansion to increase cavitation, meeting higher levels of demand.
   
   
3. Specialized expertise: Contract manufacturers often have specialized expertise and knowledge in a particular area of manufacturing. This can be beneficial for companies that need to produce complex or highly technical products but do not have the expertise in-house.  Design support and the DFM process are critical in the launch of new products. 
   
   
4. Reduced risk: Contract manufacturing can help companies reduce their risk by outsourcing the production of certain components or products to a third-party. This can help mitigate risks such as supply chain disruptions, quality control issues, or regulatory compliance.
   
   
5. Increased focus on core competencies: Contract manufacturing allows companies to focus on their core competencies and strategic priorities by outsourcing non-core activities such as manufacturing. This can allow companies to be more agile and responsive to market changes and customer demands.

Overall, contract manufacturing can be a cost-effective and efficient way for companies to produce high-quality products and components without the need to invest in expensive equipment, facilities, or specialized expertise.

Pleasant Precision is a contract manufacturing company specializing in plastic components.  We have the expertise to take your project from DFM through the finished product, including secondary operations and packaging.  With 40 years of tooling and molding experience, PPI can help you take advantage of the 5 benefits of using a contract manufacturer.  Our team utilizes electric injection molding machines, a Class 100,000 cleanroom, IATF 16949:2016 Quality Management System, and highly skilled team members to meet market needs. Our presses range from 55 to 450 tons.

Founded in 1978, Pleasant Precision is focused on building high-quality, tight-tolerance tooling for multiple industries. PPI has built a strong reputation for building high-precision injection molds and strives to develop trust-based partnerships with our customers. The Round Mate System offers unique prototyping and modular tooling options.  We are driven to provide exceptional quality, with QMS certifications in ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949, UL certification, and ISO 13485 compliant.     

When you add our tooling, molding, and value-added abilities, PPI can meet your contract manufacturing needs. 

Please call for a quote or contact us to review your next project.