If you are a mould purchaser, what will you do to choose a appropriate supplier ?

Evaluate the knowledge of the supplier, Quality practices, Design strength, History of the company, Delivery schedules,Mould making practices, and COST and then choose comparing with the product requirements

The qualification of a new supplier can be a very involved process. Godfrey makes some good points that need to be addressed. If a potential supplier appears to meet your product requirements, I would strongly suggest that your first task is to visit the supplier with a team of associates that can perform a preliminary (Pre-Qualification) overview. It should be obvious if the supplier has the overall skills, processes and quality systems in place that will meet the requirements of your product(s). If your team feels confident that the supplier is capable, and that the overall business is well established, "Walk Before You Run"----perhaps starting with Purchase Order for a Non-Critical part that will excersize the system and verify the supplier capability. It is also usefull to examine products that the supplier makes for other companies which may have similarities to the product(s) that you require----as well as asking for references to people from those other companies to confirm the overall satisfaction of the suppliers performance.

Judy, I would also add that there are some very good ISO documents that can be used to obtain information from potential suppliers prior to scheduling travel plans for visiting.

Thank you to MR. Bresin and to Mr.Godfrey, Being we are the Mould Supplier's your Comment let us to know the buyer expectation.

Mark,thanks for your comments and sharing.What does the ISO documents mean? like using ISO9001:2000 verify the qualification of the suppliers?

Judy, Yes, The ISO documents contain the key elements of a total Quality Audit and Systems Verification.

For me there are a few more things:

- The experience of the mold maker in similar parts. For example: I have very good mold suppliers for static parts who I would never choose to make a gas assisted injection mold.
- Is also important the maximum size of the mold you will need.
- The recommendations of some other purchaser is important.

I agree with Ignacio , this also matches with another discussion, that shops tend to specialize in specific parts and success is thus ensured.Your design experience machine tool capabilities, past records with similar parts will help ensuring success.

To say that a supplier is specialized in specific parts is only a partial (yet important) consideration for ultimate qualification as a preferred supplier. There are many business related issues that must be verified to assure that the initiation of new purchase contracts will be fully supported. In todays global environment there are many websites that are very attractive----but hold little substance.

A mold maker who gives a mold for defect free end product on consistent basis with a number of molds, timely deliveries(very imp),price,proximity to the molding plant and possibilities of good die repair base would probably be the first one to be chosen. It would also depend on the complexity of the mold being produced.Normally a mold maker once selected by the molding plant is retained for much longer periods due to complexities of the business and competitiveness.

The easy way if you aren't expert for tool & Injection could be are check with some costumers that work with this tool maker, be care with the kind of parts, material for this parts and tools that they can made , if the Tool maker is working for you competence then take this as a reference and go head¡¡
If you are expert or have medium knowledge for tools design need review technical spec. by example: drawings for other tools, tool shop capacity cnc machines, etc, etc.

You should define your requirement of the out put of the die. There has been enough suggestions on selection.Selection of the appropriate is when you decide your requirement and match the qualification of the supplier.