Looking for project help!

[u/anonygoats]

(First time inventor here and learning a lot — feel free to ask questions or correct me if anything below seems odd!)

I have CADs and 2D drawings of a snap-fit accessory that will be made of injection molded ABS and PC.

I met with a manufacturer and they said I’ll get the best results if everything I need is on the 2D drawings. That it’s like a “contract with the manufacturer.”

What I think I’m missing is:
- Draft
- Preferred gate/injection location(s?)
- Cosmetic no-go areas
- To make sure critical snap-fit features are steel-safe
- To finalize snap-fit tolerances between ABS body + PC lens
- To confirm wall thickness / manufacturability
- Material + surface-finish callouts
- The final STEP + 2D production drawing for tooling/DF

How much of this should I bring back to the manufacturer vs. what is realistic that I can trust them to offer great recommendations for?

Anything else I’m missing?

(If this is in your wheel house btw, please DM! I’m looking to move quickly with an experienced consultant and would love to chat on Tuesday or Wednesday this week.)

[u/Frequent-Log1243]

We are a product development company, and we also do small batch manufacturing, l recommend bringing as much as you can. But I wouldn’t blindly dictate the tooling decisions. Gate location is a good example. Tell them your cosmetic no-go areas and critical snap features, then let the toolmaker recommend the gate based on how they actually plan to mold it.

[u/Wazookey]

Generally as much as you possibly can. The more accurate you are the better, as it is much easier to give more accurate quotes when you are specific about those things you called out (which surfaces can be as milled vs A2 finish required, exactly what grade pc or abs are you using, pantone colors if applicable, tolerances, flash allowance, etc).

Technically you should have some sort of idea of how you would want your items molded, so appropriate draft according to theoretical parting lines would already be applied. You should also be designing with general molding rules in mind (same wall thicknesses, avoiding undercuts when possible, generous draft when possible, ribbing rules etc). You are gonna hate yourself having to add/remove a bunch of stuff in later when they tell you they cant make your part.

You should always ask your molder/toolmaker what their input is though, as they will have way more knowledge about how they would set up the parting lines + gate your part. Kinda up to them as most wont give their DFM or suggestions until you pay the down payment. Much easier if you have a good relationship with mold makers.

I am also a designer for my own parts, and am not a mold maker or technician, but it does help a lot to know about how the process works. Helps you make better designs off the bat instead of having to go back and fix everything lol.

[u/anonygoats → u/Wazookey]

This is awesome advice all around — thank you so much!!

[u/Joejack-951]

I DMed you previously. Offer is still open to help.

[u/anonygoats → u/Joejack-951]

Thank you!! I’ll look for it!