Rephrased question - anyone want to quote plastic parts?

I guess I sort of messed up in my earlier description. I'm talking
about producing at least 100,000 per year and maybe substantially more
than that. I'm also talking about at least 10 different injection
molded parts, some of which will be double quantities. That's why I
can't figure out why I can't get molders to respond. Seems to me they
should be jumping out of their skins to quote for us, but it just ain't
so.

Thanks,
'Sporky'

 

Usually, a company just doesn't pop out of nowhere needing that many
parts without having a past history of vendors. You must already have
prefered vendors.

Anyone else have a guess why no injection molders are interested?

Maybe you should write your request in Chinese? That's where are they
are all made now!

 

Well, that's a good point, but this company is a bit of an exception all
the way around. They DO have money, anyway. The product is potentially
defense related, which is why they prefer American sources. Chinese
mold MAKERS might be OK, but the parts need to be made in the US.

 

Spork,

Sure had me goin there,,,

So you want class "A" tooling ?? Whats the projected product life ??

Product lifecycles are so short these days that alot of manufacturers are
going to aluminum tooling for production. If you don't need millions of
parts, it can be alot more cost effective. A million good parts from an
aluminum tool isn't that hard to do, unless the material has alot of glass
in it. Mostly it's in the way a molder handles the tool. You can't go
digging a stuck part out with a screw driver for instance.

Most of the class "A" houses I know are out here. There's a couple in
particular I can guarantee will quote your parts. It is a long way off
though. Let me know if you're interested

Regards

Mark

 

Product life is easily three years, and maybe much more. There's
nothing else that can compete with the product at the same level, and
all the necessary patents are filed. I've read 'em . . . a company
would be hard pressed to work around 'em without infringing. I'm sure
there'll be improvements, but the highest quality tooling would stand a
fair chance of exhausting its useful life before major rebuild.

'Sporky'

 

Interesting points, John, and I'm sure that might explain some of it.
As it turns out, the company that owns the invention DOES have a
distribution channel . . . and if I say any more they might get slightly
pissed at me.

 

Hi,

If you are still looking for names, contact Peter Lawrence at
Sonolite Plastics, Gloucester, MA. 978-281-0664. These guys have been
there for over 30 years, do all sorts of quantities (they make short
run government stuff to millions of parts; they make douche and enema
tip nozzles by the millions!). They also have an expert toolmaker by
the name of Clayton Carncross, Simple Tool Company (978-281-0684).
Clay is an exceptional tool maker. He's the go to guy when you want
+0/-.0001 parts.

If you decide you can do this in China, let me know, I have a
guy there that does beautiful tooling as well as great parts. Let me
know and I can put you in contact.

Tell them Mike Tripoli sent you (I've known these guys for
over 20 years, they'll take care of you).

Mike Tripoli

 

Sporky,

I didn't see your second post before I responded. Sonolite are
your guys for sure. They have a ton of experience working with the
government and government contractors. They know their "stuff"
forwards and back. Call Peter today; if Peter is not available, call
Clay Carncross. You would be very hard pressed to find two better
companies for these things. I have used them to make cases for
military power semiconductors in the past. THey'v emade everything
from "microwave" radio domes to intelligent keys for high security
(and don't forget, douche tips and enema nozzles by the millions!).

MT

 

Hell - I just want to know if enema tips and government

8~)

I was sorta wondering if the millions of tips are disposable or (perish the
thought) being lost....

 

They once calculated the number of douche tips that they make vs.
women in the world. Given that they are one of three suppliers to this
"very large douche company", they are contributing to a much larger
user base. Anyway, if I remember correctly, it was something like 4
douches per week for every woman in the country. Now, I have not asked
every woman I met whether she douches or not, but this seemed quite
extraordinary. AND THEN, they were told by the manufacturer that these
things are very popular in some of the smaller countries around the
world, however, they are FLAVORED (like grape, etc.) outside the USA.

Some things you just wish you never knew...

MT

 

I manage an injection molding facility and we also build molds that are
very high quality. We are a proprietary molder and custom molder so our
prices are very competitive because we do not have as much overhead due
to the proprietary parts. We have been in business 20+ years. You can
contact Curtis Hope at he is our injection
molding sales person.

My name is Mike Grant and I am the lead process engineer and mold
designer.

Thanks,
Mike Grant
O'Ryan Industries

 

I guess I can't post email addresses, call us at 1-800-426-4311 and ask
for Curtis.

 

Thanks, Mike. I have several to contact now, but I WILL get in contact
with Sonolite also.

 

The reason that not many are jumping out of their skins to quote your
parts may be that they are unwilling to compete with Asian quotes, which
usually run app. 20% of American quotes.
G. De Angelis

 

Well, that's a GREAT way to remain competitive -- right? Just throw up
your hands and give up . . .

BUT, by the way, this is not the true scenario. In many areas many
American moldmakers and molders have increased their productivity so
much that they are now competitive with Asian sources. And I don't
believe for one minute that they wouldn't be ready to jump in if that
were the only consideration. Anyway, thanks to this post I now have
several sources actively working on quoting. It's still a mystery why
others just never responded back. I'm thinking that poor organization
on the part of some individuals means that some things just fall between
the cracks, and poor computer skills and downright stupidity may account
for the rest.

'Sporky'