Tooling new designs and product development is not a straightforward manufacturing process. Sometimes designs and processes need refining or developing, and this requirement becomes apparent as the project progresses. To avoid any confusion, we have detailed our Tooling Terms and Conditions below for the purpose of clarification and transparency.

  • Dudley Associates Limited will act to supply injection mould tooling which has been manufactured to the dimensions as determined by the Clients’ CAD data, and incorporating typical material shrinkage values as indicated by the manufacturers’ data available for the specified polymer.
  • Suitability of the component design for the injection moulding process remains the responsibility of the Client (unless Dudley Associates have been commissioned to supply the component design). As such, any additional handling or equipment which may later be required in order to form, stabilise, or shape a part to achieve the Clients’ component design will be chargeable to the Client. This does not apply to those features of a component which are considered dependant on the correct moulding of a part by utilising the optimal process condition settings.
  • Dudley Associates Limited reserves the right to re-quote moulding and tooling prices if the Clients’ component data supplied for manufacture differs from that which was supplied for the quotation.
  • Should a part be out of tolerance to the component design as a result of errors made by Dudley Associates Limited, this will be corrected in a timely manner and free of charge.
  • Dudley Associates Limited will refer to the industry standard, BS7010:1988 Code of Practice for a System of Tolerances for the Dimensions of Plastics Moulding, for calculating or advising achievable component tolerances.
  • Dudley Associates Limited may be able to advise where component warpage, sinkage, marking, or sticking-in due to Clients’ part geometry could be of concern. Tool modifications arising from warpage, shrinkage, marking or sticking-in problems due to a Clients’ part geometry may be chargeable.
  • Once tooling has been trialled, and sample parts submitted and approved by the Client, Dudley Associates Limited reserves the right to re-quote for supply of further parts based on any additional product/processing information established during the development phase.
  • Tool wear will affect the life of a mould tool and is dependent on such things as the abrasive effect of the polymer being moulded, handling, and natural wear on any moving parts. Tool life can only be guaranteed for tooling moulded internally at Dudley Associates Limited due to the degree of familiarisation needed when processing aluminium tooling.
  • If insert (modular) tooling has been specifically requested by a Client we will use our own tool bolster as expected. The Client must be aware that they will require their own bolster to be manufactured should the inserts need to be moulded outside of Dudley Associates Limited. We would be happy to quote for this work.
  • Tool trial samples are limited to between 5 and 10 mouldings of an individual part (depending on size, scheduling and polymer availability) unless other agreements are made and confirmed in writing.
  • Delivery times quoted are very competitive but can often be reduced further if they are a critical factor of the project. If you require this premium service please ask.
  • Client changes to a component design after the tool design has commenced may be chargeable and could delay delivery dates originally quoted for tooling or mouldings.
  • Where over-moulded inserts are used during moulding it should be accepted that extra parts should be supplied to us over and above the quantity of finished samples ordered, to allow for wastage due to the stabilisation of processing conditions and tool trialling. In addition, internal quality procedures determine that one ‘first-off’ and one ‘last-off’ sample will be retained from each batch run.
  • Inspection and conformity of inserts or materials supplied to us and/or sourced by the Client is the sole responsibility of the Client. Additional work, handling, equipment or repairs incurred as a result of the use of such goods, which are subsequently found to be out of tolerance or unsuitable, may be chargeable.
  • Tooling, when paid for in full, becomes the property of the Client. Clients keep their tooling at Dudley Associates for subsequent supply of mouldings and maintenance. We must advise that if there is no call off for parts from a tool for a period exceeding 18 months then the Buyer will be contacted, and if unavailable, notified at their registered address and have tooling returned at their cost and risk.
  • Insurance of tooling, if required, is the responsibility of the Client.
  • Please be aware that the Manufacturers supply polymers using a price-break system typically based on 25kg, 50kg, 100kg, 250kg, 500kg, and 1 tonne drops. As such, we may at times advise a minimum order quantity or 'excess' material charge in order to provide the best unit price.