How To Package Tooling Properly So It Doesn’t Get Damaged Or Rust Unnecessarily Quickly In Transit

We’ve already blogged about the tooling transfer process in China and, as a follow-up, here are our tips on how to package tooling correctly so that it is safe and doesn’t rust unnecessarily quickly in transit.

Mold Transport Package Options

So, you’re transferring your tooling between locations, either within China or from to China to another country? In order to keep your tooling safe and rust-free, these are the 4 options you can choose to package tooling depending on where it’s being transferred to (and some images illustrating how they will appear).

Pay particular attention to the requirements, for instance, a wooden box being exported must be fumigated.

Option A: Wooden box package for export (Must be fumigated and meet export requirements)

When we package tooling for export in a wooden box, these are the details to be followed:

Wooden box requirements
A wooden box’s plates are generally made up of 15mm smooth plates (the bottom’s plates are thicker at around 30mm) and the wood block size is (100X100mm). The function of the blocks is to fix the mold and support the box and bottom. Box size is based on mold weight and size. The box is fumigated when exported.

Mold packaging requirements

• Clean the A, B surface and spray WD-40 (Antirust oil) on it before closing the mold.
• It is then packed in a waterproof poly bag before being placed into the wooden box.
• Fix the mold in place by screwing the bottom plate of the core to the box’s bottom plate and wood blocks. (The screw position hole is base on the mold’s weight and size)
• Use at least 2 Steel Strips or a steel lock clasp to fix the wood box after covering the box cover. Strips and lock clasp used to fix it are based on the mold’s weight and size.
• Stick shipping labels on 3 sides (Front, Flank and Top side), the contents are confirmed with the customer. Some appendices should be inside box package (all documents should be inside a poly bag):
  1. Package list
  2. Mold accessories or spare parts (such as Electrodes and damageable parts) which must also be well-packed and anti-rust treated to avoid damage during transportation. (Also can be separately packed based on a customer’s or parts requirement)
  3. A sample of a qualified mold test with the enclosed mold (1 shot is usually OK).
  4. Drawings of mold assembly and other technical documents.
  5. Mold qualification and checked data.
  6. Installation instructions.

Option B: Wooden box package for transport within China (Non-fumigated)

See option A, BUT this box does NOT need to be fumigated.

Option C: Wooden frame package (for short-distance transportation within China, such as between cities)

Wooden frame requirements
A wooden frame’s plates are generally made up of 20mm plates and the wood block size is (100X100mm). The function of the blocks is to fix the mold and support the box and bottom. Frame size is based on mold weight and size.

Mold packaging requirements

• Clean the A, B surface and spray WD-40 (Antirust oil) on it before closing the mold.
• It is then packed in a waterproof poly bag before being placed into the wooden box.
• Fix the mold in place by screwing the bottom plate of the core to the box’s bottom plate and wood blocks. (The screw position hole is base on the mold’s weight and size)
• Use at least 2 Steel Strips or a steel lock clasp to fix the wood box after covering the box cover. Strips and lock clasp used to fix it are based on the mold’s weight and size.
• Stick shipping labels on 3 sides (Front, Flank and Top side), the contents are confirmed with the customer. Some appendices should be inside box package (all documents should be inside a poly bag):
  1. Package list
  2. Mold accessories or spare parts (such as Electrodes and damageable parts) which must also be well-packed and anti-rust treated to avoid damage during transportation. (Also can be separately packed based on a customer’s or parts requirement)
  3. A sample of a qualified mold test with the enclosed mold (1 shot is usually OK).
  4. Drawings of mold assembly and other technical documents.
  5. Mold qualification and checked data.
  6. Installation instructions.

Option D: No box or frame (for very short distance transfers in China, such as within the same city)

The mold is directly put on the truck or placed on pallet and then loaded.

Mold packaging requirements

• Clean the A, B surface and spray WD-40 (Antirust oil) on it before closing the mold.
• It is then packed in a waterproof poly bag before being placed on the pallet (or directly into a truck’s loading bed).
• Some documents should be inside the tooling’s packaging:
  1. Package list
  2. Mold accessories or spare parts (such as Electrodes and damageable parts) which must also be well-packed and anti-rust treated to avoid damage during transportation. (Also can be separately packed based on a customer’s or parts requirement)
  3. A sample of a qualified mold test with the enclosed mold (1 shot is usually OK).
  4. Drawings of mold assembly and other technical documents.
  5. Mold qualification and checked data.
  6. Installation instructions.

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When handling tooling transfers for our clients we always follow the above guidelines with good results. If you’re doing a transfer soon, you can use the guidelines to check if your supplier is following best practices, too.

Any questions about how to package tooling correctly? Let us know in the comments.