MOLD DEVELOPMENT

MOLD DEVELOPMENT

Mold & Tooling Design

In footwear and bag hardware production, mold design and tooling fabrication play a crucial role in ensuring product accuracy, durability, and consistency.
Each grommet, rivet, stud, or decorative metal fitting requires a custom mold tailored to its design, material, and functional requirements.

Precision tooling begins with 3D modeling and engineering drawings using CAD/CAM/CNC technology. Engineers analyze material flow, wall thickness, and stress distribution to achieve precise forming and dimensional stability. The mold structure is optimized for efficient mass production and high repeatability.

Diverse Mold & Tooling Design

Different types of hardware require different tooling approaches:

  1. Stamping Die – Used for thin metal parts such as grommets, washers, and nameplates. Progressive or compound dies allow multiple forming operations—punching, flanging, and trimming—in one cycle. Tight clearance control ensures smooth edges and consistent quality.

  2. Die Casting Mold – Designed for zinc alloy hardware such as decorative buckles and emblems. Flow channels and venting systems ensure even metal flow without porosity. The surface finish can achieve mirror or brushed textures, ready for electroplating or PVD coating.

  3. Cold Heading Die – Used for structural rivets, studs, and bifurcated rivets. Made from high-strength tool steel (SKD11/DC53) to withstand high pressure. Proper cavity design prevents eccentricity and cracking, ensuring dense, durable parts.

  4. Progressive & Custom Fixtures – Modular or multi-stage tooling enables automation and high-speed production. Special jigs are used for complex or layered components to maintain assembly precision.

  5. Mold Flow & Simulation – CAE simulation predicts metal flow and temperature distribution, allowing engineers to refine gating and venting for higher yield and stability.

  6. Quick-Change Tooling System – Modular molds allow quick changeover between sizes or models, ideal for small-lot, diversified production typical in footwear and leather goods industries.