Post Termination Asset Inspection and Tooling Clearance Verification Procedures
Verification of foreign-owned tooling clearance requires hard-stamped Chinese bailment marks, notarized site audits, and structured financial set-offs.
Core Cavity Marking Standards
Meaning
This industrial standard governs the permanent marking and identification of the core and cavity inserts of injection molds used in Chinese manufacturing facilities. Under these standards, the markings must include the tool number, the material type, the mold maker’s code, and the cavity number, engraved to a specified depth and in a defined location. This system ensures that the manufacturing process is traceable and that maintenance teams can identify specific parts of the mold during repair or assembly.
It applies to all molds produced for both domestic use and export to international buyers. The standards stop applying if the core and cavity are integrated into a single insert or if the surface must remain unmarked for cosmetic reasons, in which case the markings are placed on the mold base.
Marking Procedure
The implementation of core cavity marking standards begins during the design phase of the mold, where the locations of the engravings are specified on the engineering drawings. The mold maker must choose areas that do not come into contact with the plastic part to prevent the markings from appearing on the finished product. The engraving is executed using computer numerical control milling or laser etching before the steel is hardened to ensure high clarity and durability.
The font size, depth, and character style must comply with the specified standard to ensure readability after thousands of injection cycles. Once the markings are completed, the quality control inspector verifies their accuracy against the design specifications. This verification includes checking the spelling, the tooling code, and the cavity sequence.
The markings must remain visible even after multiple cleaning and polishing procedures.
Technical Constraint
The choice of marking technology and location is constrained by the hardness of the mold steel and the geometry of the inserts. If the core cavity marking standards are applied to hardened steel, laser engraving is preferred over mechanical milling to avoid micro-cracks or tool breakage. The depth of the engraving must be carefully controlled, typically between zero point one and zero point two millimeters, to prevent stress concentration and potential cracking under high injection pressures.
Furthermore, the markings must not be placed near high-wear areas, such as gates or vents, where they could be eroded by the flowing plastic. The technician must also ensure that the marking does not interfere with the cooling channels or ejector pin locations. These technical constraints require close coordination between the mold designer and the manufacturing team.
Supply Chain Impact
Adhering to these marking standards reduces the risk of assembly errors and shortens the time required for mold maintenance in the factory. When a mold requires repair or modification, the technician can quickly identify the correct inserts without risking a mix-up. This traceability is essential for high-volume production lines where multiple similar molds are used simultaneously.
Conversely, failing to mark the inserts properly leads to confusion, incorrect assembly, and potential damage to the mold during operation. The presence of clear markings also increases the asset value of the tooling and simplifies the audit process for foreign buyers. This standardization provides a clear indication of the mold maker’s professionalism and quality control maturity.
The long-term result is a more reliable and efficient production cycle.