Tooling FAQ Questions - ARRK

ARRK’s Tooling experts give their thoughts on some of the most frequently asked questions raised by customers.

Arrk-tooling-team

How much does a Tool cost?

As you would expect, it all depends on a number of factors. From budget considerations, timescales, part complexity, tool type, expected tool yields etc. It is important to remember that although the Tool itself may cost a little more, you will benefit from cheaper moulded unit prices. This is particularly the case where economies of scales kick in. Generally, the greater the volumes the cheaper the unit price. Using either one of our ARRK facilities or approved partners, you can rest assured we will endeavour to find a cost-effective tooling solution to meet your project needs.

How long does it take to get a tool made?

Typically speaking, we aim to build tools within 4 to 8 weeks, but of course every tool is unique in line with our customers’ needs. Tool builds are subject to part complexity, materials used and of course, feasibility and design for manufacture suitability.

Using a single supplier to manage your project and to assess each stage of the project’s development can help to save clients valuable time and effort, as well as having our experts on hand to identify any potential issues as a result of having a complete overview of the parts’ development. Any issues can be addressed at an early stage, helping to avoid time to market pitfalls.

Thanks to trained personnel at our manufacturing sites or appointed partners, we are able to take on suites of tooling and get them into production in similar time scales to that which you would see for a single tool produced in the UK or Europe. This is pre-requisite we require when auditing and selecting our supply chain.

Can you help me with the best route to manufacture?

Right from the start when working with ARRK, our tooling team will discuss your needs in detail to understand your project and how you intend to use the parts being manufactured from the tool.  By fully appreciating your expectations and requirements, it will allow us to propose the best manufacturing method. From the type of tool that is built, to the material used to build the tool. From method of production, through to budgetary considerations and end application use, our comprehensive analysis will endeavour to find the most appropriate manufacturing process. Our tooling advisers are your point of contact, providing regular updates and progress reports.

Do you specialise in supporting certain industries with Tooling and Injection Moulding?

ARRK is proud to have built up a significant amount of experience in Tooling and Moulding to enable us to support customers from a wide range of industry sectors. From Automotive, Consumer Products, Industrial, Medical Devices and Transportation to name just a few. This allows our team, and ultimately you, to benefit from the vast knowledge and experience gained over the years supporting our customers.  It allows us to be proactive and innovative and propose solutions and options that clients may not have considered to get their project off the ground and in production.