STEP (.stp) is preferred. IGES is acceptable. Native formats (SolidWorks .sldprt, CATIA) create compatibility gaps. The STEP file drives toolpath calculation, parting line analysis, and draft angle review. Do not send STL — it has no dimensional accuracy at the feature level.

The STEP file shows shape. The 2D drawing specifies which features are critical-to-function and what tolerances apply. Without a drawing, every tight tolerance defaults to standard molding tolerances (ISO 20457 Grade 5) — which may not match your application. If you have no formal drawing yet, a PDF sketch with critical dimensions annotated is better than nothing.

Don’t write “ABS.” Write “ABS, SABIC Cycolac MG94, natural” or “PA66 GF30, BASF Ultramid A3HG6, black.” Resin grade determines mold temperature, injection pressure, wall thickness limits, and shrinkage rate — all of which affect tool design and cycle time. If you haven’t selected a grade yet, provide two or three candidates and note that material selection is pending.

Provide three numbers: projected annual volume, total program lifetime in years, and expected first-order quantity. These drive cavity count decisions. A part at 10,000/year for 3 years = 30,000 total shots → a single-cavity P20 tool is appropriate. The same part at 150,000/year for 5 years = 750,000 shots → a 4-cavity H13 hardened tool is the correct solution. Getting cavity count wrong adds 20–60 days to tooling lead time when you discover the mistake at T1.

State the minimum guaranteed shot count: 50,000 / 100,000 / 250,000 / 500,000 / 1,000,000+. This dictates tooling steel. P20 (pre-hardened, ~30 HRC) suits prototype and low-volume runs under 100,000 shots. H13 (hardened to 48–52 HRC) is appropriate for production runs above 500,000. Stainless (420SS) is required for glass-filled or corrosive resins. Tool life directly sets the amortization math your finance team needs.

Injection mold finish is specified using SPI (Society of the Plastics Industry) grades, not Ra values. Common specs: A-1 (high gloss, diamond polish) for optical parts; A-3 (semi-gloss) for consumer products; B-2 (semi-matte, 400-grit paper) for industrial components; C-1 (matte) for non-cosmetic parts; D-3 (rough texture) for grip surfaces. Each grade step up adds polishing time and cost. Specify which faces need which grade — not all surfaces need the same treatment.

If you have a preferred cavity count based on your volume model, state it. If not, write “supplier to recommend based on annual volume provided.” Giving the supplier latitude here often produces a better tool at lower cost — they can optimize runner layout and cooling for cavity count rather than being forced into a configuration that doesn’t match your machine’s clamp force.

Edge gate (visible witness mark), submarine gate (sub-surface, auto-degating), or hot runner (no runner waste, higher tooling cost). For cosmetic parts, gate location is a cosmetic decision as much as a technical one. State which faces are cosmetic and which are non-cosmetic. If you have no preference, write “supplier to recommend gate location — all faces are functional, no cosmetic constraints.”

Specify RAL or Pantone color reference. State whether natural resin + masterbatch or pre-colored compound is acceptable. Masterbatch is cheaper and flexible at low volume; pre-colored compound provides tighter color consistency for high-volume cosmetic parts. If multiple colors are required across a program, state whether you want separate tools or a single tool with color changeovers.

If the part requires a textured surface (grip, hidden parting line, aesthetic pattern), specify using Mold-Tech or VDI 3400 texture codes. Common: VDI 12 (fine matte) through VDI 45 (coarse texture). Note that textured surfaces require additional draft angle — typically 1° per 0.025mm of texture depth — which must be present in your CAD model.

If the part requires metal inserts (heat-staked or in-mold), specify insert type, material, and supplier. If overmolding (two-shot or insert-over), specify substrate material and overmold material separately. These require different tool configurations and significantly affect cycle time and cost. Do not leave these as “TBD” — they change the quote by 30–60%.

List any post-molding operations: ultrasonic welding, pad printing, hot stamping, assembly with other components, packaging specifications, or testing requirements. If these are supplier-managed, include the specification or acceptance criteria. If buyer-managed, state “secondary operations by buyer — supplier to deliver parts only.”

State upfront whether the tool is buyer-owned or supplier-owned. Buyer-owned tools require a mold transfer clause in the purchase order and storage terms if the supplier holds the tool. Also specify whether the supplier is required to carry tool maintenance costs within the shot life or whether maintenance is billed separately. This is a contractual item, not a technical one — but it must be in the RFQ to avoid disputes later.

Specify whether T1 samples require a full dimensional report (all features measured against drawing), a CMM report, or just visual and critical-dimension-only inspection. VNcontX provides Zeiss Contura CMM reports with all T1 shipments at no added cost for tolerance callouts on the drawing. If you require AS9102 FAI documentation, state this explicitly — it requires additional labor to compile the package.

Specify Incoterms: FOB HCMC (most common for US buyers), DAP (supplier delivers to your door), or EXW (buyer arranges collection). State your target T1 sample date and production start date. VNcontX standard tooling lead time is 15–25 days to T1 samples from drawing approval. Production runs ship 5–7 days after T1 approval.

DFM report issued with draft angle analysis, wall thickness check, gate proposal, and parting line recommendation. Fixed tooling cost and per-piece price quoted at this stage.

Purchase order issued with tooling deposit (typically 50% of tool cost). Tooling clock starts on receipt of deposit and approved DFM sign-off.

Mold flow analysis, mold design in 3D CAD, cooling channel layout, ejector pin placement. Design review shared with buyer before machining begins.

CNC milling of core and cavity from tooling steel. EDM for fine features and textures. Wire EDM for precision inserts. Polishing to specified SPI grade on cosmetic surfaces.

First shots produced. T1 samples shipped with Zeiss Contura CMM dimensional report against all drawing callouts. Typical T1 sample quantity: 3–10 pieces depending on FAI requirements.

Buyer approves T1 or raises dimensional/cosmetic issues. Minor corrections (steel removal) 2–3 days. Major corrections (steel addition via welding or inserts) 5–10 days. Most parts pass T1 with no corrections when DFM is thorough.

Full production run at quoted cycle time. OTD rate 98.4%. Sea freight to US West Coast: 18–22 days from HCMC. Air freight to LAX: 2–3 days. Sea freight to Sydney: 10–14 days.