What does a mold designer do?
A mold designer creates the detailed engineering specifications and 3D models for injection mold tooling. They analyze part geometry, determine optimal gating and venting locations, design cooling channels, select ejection methods, and ensure the mold will produce parts that meet all dimensional and cosmetic requirements. At Evok, our mold designers also conduct mold flow analysis, implement design modifications for better moldability, and work closely with customers to optimize wall thickness, draft angles, and other features. They bridge the gap between product design and manufacturing, ensuring your parts can be produced efficiently at scale while meeting quality standards.
How much does a product mold cost?
Product mold costs vary significantly based on part complexity, size, cavity count, material requirements, and production volume. At Evok, we focus on cost transparency and provide detailed pricing breakdowns early in the process. Single-cavity prototype molds typically start at a few thousand dollars, while multi-cavity production molds for complex parts can range from $10,000 to $50,000+. We work closely with you to optimize design for manufacturability, which can significantly reduce tooling costs. Our goal is to build the best tooling solution for your needs while getting you into low-cost production as efficiently as possible.
How long does the mold design and development process take?
The timeline varies based on part complexity and project scope, but our streamlined five-stage New Part Development Pipeline typically takes 12-20 weeks from concept to first production parts. Concept feasibility and alpha prototyping can be completed in 2-4 weeks, beta tooling in 6-8 weeks, and production tooling with qualification in 8-12 weeks. We focus on speed to market through cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement. Rush services are available for urgent projects. We'll provide a detailed timeline during the initial consultation based on your specific requirements.
Do you offer prototype services before committing to production tooling?
Yes, rapid prototyping is a critical part of our development process. We offer various prototyping methods priced from $100-$500 per prototype depending on size and process. Prototypes allow you to validate design for both structural performance and cosmetic appearance before investing in production tooling. We help you choose the right rapid prototype process—whether cosmetic or functional—to advance your design efficiently. Seeing and testing your part during development significantly reduces risk and ensures the final production parts will meet all requirements.
What file formats do you accept for CAD design services?
We work with all major 3D CAD file formats including SOLIDWORKS (preferred), STEP, IGES, Parasolid, STL, and native files from other CAD systems. If you don't have existing 3D files, our engineering team can model your part from scratch using 2D drawings, physical samples, or conceptual sketches. We also provide detailed redlining documentation showing how design changes improve moldability and reduce costs. Our CAD design services include file review, modification for manufacturing, and finalization with proper documentation and part numbering.
What is your parts qualification and inspection process?
Our comprehensive qualification process includes detailed molding trial reports and first article inspection. During molding trials, we monitor critical process parameters including fill speed, knit line locations, zone temperatures, and cycle time. First article qualification involves working hand-in-hand with you to negotiate tolerances and validate achievable specifications. All critical dimensions carry 30 inspection points per cavity, while non-critical dimensions carry 5 inspection points. We provide complete data to understand any tool modifications needed and calculate Cp and Cpk values to ensure process capability before locking down production parameters.
What makes Evok different from other mold design companies?
Evok combines 25 years of specialized injection molding expertise with a unique customer-focused approach. We're extremely transparent about costs, itemizing and prioritizing cost structures so you can make informed decisions. Our proprietary New Part Development Pipeline, Six Sigma methodology, and cross-functional team approach ensure speed to market with continuous improvement at every stage. We deliver 'jewelry quality at optimized price' through white-glove customer service, deep industry knowledge, and genuine partnership. Our team has led successful product launches across diverse industries with proven results including 540% sales growth and 100% client retention.
Can you help with material selection for my injection molded parts?
Yes, expert guidance through material and texture science is a core part of our service offering to ensure optimal part performance and cost-effectiveness. Our material selection process is integrated throughout design, development, and manufacturing phases. We evaluate material properties based on your application requirements, environmental conditions, regulatory needs, and cost targets. Our team's deep knowledge of polymer characteristics helps you select the right material that balances performance, aesthetics, durability, and manufacturability for superior results.