An 8-cavity tooling line has been commissioned for high-volume toy and model programmes. This note covers what the line runs, what it changes for buyers, and the effect on lead times.
What the line runs
The line is set up for multi-cavitation tools in the 150 to 350 tonne press range, running polystyrene, ABS and PP. It is configured for the part families where cavitation pays: small parts with a high annual volume, model kit sprues, gear sets and small moulded accessories.
What it changes
- Cavitation becomes a standard option. Programmes that were quoted at 2 or 4 cavities can now be evaluated at 8, which shifts the part price curve at volumes above roughly 100,000 pieces.
- Balance control across cavities. Multi-cavitation only works if every cavity fills identically, so the line includes per-cavity dimensional sampling on the first article rather than a single check.
- Shorter cycle time on thin-walled parts. The press tonnage range suits the thin sections where cycle time is dominated by cooling rather than filling.
Lead time effect
Tooling build time is unchanged, because an 8-cavity tool is a bigger tool to cut. What changes is the production run time: a 100,000-piece order that took three shifts at 2 cavities now runs in one, which shortens the production lead time by days rather than weeks. For programmes with a firm seasonal deadline, that difference is usually worth more than the per-part saving.
Where it applies
The line is best suited to parts under 60 grams with annual volumes above 100,000 pieces. Larger parts and lower-volume programmes remain on the general presses, where the set-up recovery favours fewer cavities.
Related reading
Our model kit sprue programme is the first production family on this line, and the sourcing guides explain the cavity-count decision in cost terms.
Related product categories
The materials and part types discussed above are grouped in our sourcing directory:
