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Mold Handling and Packaging Guide

A precision injection mold can last 500,000-5,000,000 shots — but only if properly handled, stored, and packaged. Many molds are damaged during transport, not production.

Protective Coating Before Shipment

Cavity surfaces: Rust-preventive oil or VCI spray
Slides/lifters: Grease all moving surfaces
Water lines: Blow out with air, fill with rust inhibitor
Ejector plate: Grease guide pins
Hot runner: Cap electrical connectors with desiccant

Physical Protection

Area	Method
Cavity surface	Foam sheet + waterproof paper
Parting line	Cover plate bolted to mold
Water fittings	Protective caps or waterproof wrap
Electrical box	Sealed bag + desiccant
Eyebolts	Leave installed, verify thread engagement

Crate Requirements

Bolted (not nailed) for molds over 1,000 kg
Fork pockets with min 100mm clearance
Mold blocked in place — not free to shift
Lift-off top for inspection
Center of gravity marked on all sides
Labels: Handle With Care / Fragile / Keep Dry in English & Chinese

Buyer's Tip: Do not accept 'standard wooden crate' without specifying details. Many Chinese factories use under-built crates adequate for truck transport that fail during container loading or ocean transit. Request photos of the crated mold before shipping. The extra ¥500-800 for sea-worthy packaging is the best insurance you can buy.

Storage

15-25°C, <60% humidity
Cavities facing down
Mold closed (not open)
Re-apply rust preventive every 90 days for long-term storage
Label: mold ID, weight, last maintenance, material, shot count

What This Means for Your Project: Add a packaging spec to your purchase order: 'Mold must be rust-proofed, cavities protected with foam + waterproof paper, water lines blown dry and capped, crated on a bolted wooden pallet with fork pockets, center-of-gravity markings, and seaworthy for 8-week ocean transit.'

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