Precision Mold Engineering for Silicone Production
From concept to validated tooling -- YMS designs, builds and maintains high-precision silicone molds with ±0.01 mm cavity accuracy, serving global pet product brands and OEM partners for over 15 years.
Inside Our Facility
In-House Mold Workshop
A fully integrated tooling department equipped with precision CNC, EDM, grinding and inspection machinery -- all under one roof in Dongguan.
Precision CNC Machining Center
Multi-axis CNC equipment delivering mirror-finish cavity surfaces for optimum demolding.
Step 01 -- Analysis
Product Structure & Mold Feasibility Analysis
Before cutting steel, our engineering team conducts a complete Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) review on your product. We identify demolding risks, wall-thickness issues, undercuts and material shrinkage early -- saving weeks of iteration.
Material Flow Simulation
Predict silicone flow, weld lines and short-shot risks via Moldflow analysis.
Shrinkage Compensation
Precise shrinkage factor (1.8%-4%) applied per silicone grade and geometry.
Undercut & Draft Review
Side-core, lifter or elastic demolding solutions designed around your geometry.
Workflow
The YMS Mold Design Process
A disciplined 6-stage workflow that transforms your concept into a validated production tool.
Brief & 3D File
Receive STEP/IGS files, requirements and target quantity.
DFM Report
Feasibility review with revision proposals and quotation.
2D/3D Mold Design
UG/SolidWorks full assembly drawings for client approval.
Steel Procurement & CNC
Order certified steel; begin rough and finish machining.
Fitting & Polishing
EDM detail, polishing, texturing, assembly.
T1 Trial & Sign-off
Trial molding, sample delivery and final acceptance.
Materials
Mold Steels & Surface Processing
We select mold base and cavity steel based on product complexity, run-size, and silicone chemistry to maximize durability.
Pre-hardened Steel
Ideal for prototype and medium-run molds up to 300,000 shots.
Improved Toughness
Balanced wear and polishability for mainstream silicone molds.
Stainless, Mirror Grade
Corrosion-proof. Required for food-grade & medical silicone parts.
Hot-Work Tool Steel
Excellent thermal fatigue resistance for high-temperature LSR cycles.
Mirror Polish
Ra 0.025 μm, SPI A1
Surface Texturing
Mold-Tech, VDI standards
Heat Treatment
Vacuum quenching HRC 48+
Machining
CNC & EDM Capability
Our tooling floor is equipped with 5-axis CNC, high-speed graphite mills, mirror EDM and slow-wire EDM -- enabling single-digit micron accuracy and sharp inner corners impossible with conventional milling.
5-Axis CNC Milling
Complex curvatures and deep cavities in a single setup -- eliminates alignment errors.
Mirror EDM
Sinker EDM producing mirror finishes on hardened steel without secondary polishing.
Slow-Wire EDM
Sharp inner corners and precision inserts cut to ±0.005 mm tolerance.
Design Expertise
Parting Line & Venting Engineering
Silicone's low viscosity and high elasticity demand carefully engineered parting surfaces and venting strategies. Our mold designers optimize gate position, air escape, and flash-free parting to deliver cosmetically perfect parts.
Optimized Parting Line
Hidden on non-visible surfaces; stepped PL for undercuts; zero-flash tolerance ≤ 0.03 mm.
Micro-Venting System
Vent depths 0.005-0.02 mm; vacuum-assisted vents for deep cavities to prevent trapped air.
Gate & Runner Balancing
Cold-runner LSR systems and cashew/pin-point gates designed for minimal visible marks.
Validation
Trial Molding (T1-T3) & Issue Correction
Every mold goes through at least one trial run. We document every defect, iterate quickly, and only release the tool once samples pass full inspection.
First Trial
Initial sample run -- focused on dimension verification and major defect identification.
Correction
Steel adjustments, polishing refinements, vent/gate modifications based on T1 report.
Validation Run
Final verification sample for customer approval, 100 pcs minimum, full QC report.
Pre-Production
Golden sample sealed and signed by both parties -- mold is released to mass production.
Common Issues We Resolve During Trial
Quality Benchmarks
Mold Acceptance Standards
Every mold is signed off against documented acceptance criteria -- not subjective judgment.
| Inspection Item | Standard / Tolerance | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cavity Dimensions | ±0.01 mm | Pass |
| Surface Finish | SPI A1 / Ra 0.025 μm | Pass |
| Parting Line Flash | ≤ 0.03 mm | Pass |
| Steel Hardness | Per spec, ±2 HRC | Pass |
| Mold Function | 500 cycle dry-run, no fault | Pass |
| Sample Dimensions | 100% within drawing tolerance | Pass |
| Documentation | Full set: 2D/3D/steel certs/MFR | Pass |
Lifetime Service
Mold Maintenance & Life Management
A silicone mold is a long-term asset. YMS provides proactive maintenance schedules, condition monitoring, and refurbishment to extend tool life well past 500,000 shots.
Daily Inspection
Visual check for flash, cleanliness, cooling-line integrity, and ejector smoothness.
Routine Cleaning
Silicone residue removal, vent cleaning, lubrication of sliders and guide pins.
Scheduled Service
Disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, polishing restoration, re-measurement of critical dimensions.
Refurbishment
Insert replacement, cavity re-polish, heat treatment refresh -- restoring near-new performance.
Project Showcase
Typical Mold Case Studies
Real projects delivered for global pet brands, showcasing the breadth of our tooling capability.
Collapsible Travel Bowl
8-cavity LSR mold, S136 stainless. Includes rigid-flex bonding, auto-degating, 25s cycle.
Slow Feeder Lick Mat
Large-area single-cavity compression mold with 718H steel, textured surface via laser etching.
Travel Water Bottle Silicone Cup
Silicone-plastic overmolding, 4-cavity cold-runner LSR mold, zero flash on PP interface.
Paw Washer Cup
Deep-cavity mold with vacuum venting, internal bristle structure demolded via elastic release.
Silicone Treat Dispenser Toy
Complex internal geometry with lifters and side-cores. FDA-grade silicone, mirror polish.
Silicone Pet Collar
Multi-cavity progressive mold with integrated metal buckle insert, waterproof seal design.
Have a product idea? Let's build the mold.
Share your 3D files or sketches. Our tooling engineers will reply with a DFM feasibility assessment and quotation within 48 hours.
- NDA signed before file review
- Free DFM report & 3D mockup
- Transparent pricing -- no hidden fees