Low-cost Asian molds sourced from Chicago

Chicago International Mold Corp. (CI Mold, Addison, IL) is a new company formed to source high-quality tools built in Asia. The tools are said to be indistinguishable from U.S. builds when it comes to use of quality materials and components, design, and construction logistics, but at costs that are up to 30 percent less than molds built here.

The more complex the mold, the higher the savings potential, according to company officials. CI Mold is not an overseas agent. It designs molds in Addison to customer standards using AutoCAD and 3-D modeling. Internet-based communications, data transfers, and video conferencing during the design and construction of tools link CI Mold with its customers and with its strategic moldmaking ally in Asia to help speed concurrent engineering and deliveries.

A week after sample approvals, the turnkey mold arrives F.O.B. at the international airport nearest to the customer's facility, cleared through customs and ready for production. All financial and engineering activities are through CI Mold's offices in Addison, so customers have the convenience and the efficiency of dealing with a U.S. company.

Multiple slide, unscrewing core, and hot runner molds are designed and built for presses ranging from 50 to 400 tons. And insert and encapsulation tooling is available up to 85 tons. Also, CI Mold sources contract manufacturing services overseas in Singapore, Malaysia, and India, as well as domestically. It sources domestically built tooling, too.