{"id":32640,"date":"2026-08-31T20:46:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T11:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/archives\/32640"},"modified":"2026-10-04T20:37:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T11:37:43","slug":"product-dev-smtcxnk5o20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/archives\/32640","title":{"rendered":"How to think about the breakdown of costs when comparing cheap and expensive mold quotes."},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- lm-skin -->\n<style id=\"mc-article\">\n\/* \u8aad\u307f\u3084\u3059\u3055\u3060\u3051\u6574\u3048\u308b\u3002\u8272\u306f\u8db3\u3055\u306a\u3044\uff08\u7dda\u306f\u898b\u51fa\u3057\u3068\u540c\u3058\u8272\uff1dcurrentColor\uff09 *\/\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content{max-width:800px;margin-inline:auto}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content p{font-size:17px;line-height:1.95;margin:0 0 1.15em}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content li{font-size:17px;line-height:1.95;margin-bottom:.35em}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h2{font-weight:800;line-height:1.55;margin:56px 0 18px;padding-left:15px;\n  border-left:7px solid currentColor}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h3{font-weight:700;line-height:1.6;margin:34px 0 10px}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content figure{margin:30px 0}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content figure img{width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:14px;box-shadow:0 12px 28px rgba(0,0,0,.12)}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content figcaption{font-size:.82rem;opacity:.7;margin-top:10px;text-align:center}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content img{max-width:100%;height:auto}\n\n\n\n@media(max-width:600px){.elementor-widget-theme-post-content p,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content li{font-size:16px}.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h2{margin-top:44px}}\n<\/style>\n<!-- \/lm-skin -->\n\n\nI have corrected only the relevant section.\n\n<h2>With only a quote for &quot;a complete set of molds,&quot; it was impossible to know how to compare them.<\/h2>\n\n<p>I received an inquiry about a mold quote from someone considering commercializing their product.<br>\nI received a quote from one company, but I don&#039;t know what&#039;s included in the price.<br>\n The message is that it&#039;s difficult to determine whether something is expensive or cheap.<\/p>\n<p>If the specifications change during the prototyping process,<br>\n I also heard concerns about the uncertainty surrounding how high the costs might become.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>The scope of the estimate varied from company to company.<\/h2>\n\n<p>Technical issues are,<br>\n The issue was that the quotation did not clearly specify which parts and processes of the mold were included.<br>\nThe phrase &quot;complete set of molds&quot; doesn&#039;t necessarily mean that design costs are included.<br>\n I don&#039;t know if the cost of test shots is charged separately or what the details are.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you get quotes from multiple factories, if the scope of work is not consistent,<br>\n You cannot compare them simply by listing the amounts.<br>\nEven if a quote seems cheap, it might simply be missing some steps from the process.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>A mold is made up of multiple parts and processes, including the core, cavity, and slide.<\/h2>\n\n<p>A mold is not a single block, but rather a cavity that creates the outer shape of the product,<br>\n Centered around the core that creates the inner shape,<br>\n A sliding mechanism for forming undercuts (shapes that cannot be removed directly in the direction the mold opens),<br>\n It is made up of nested parts that can be partially replaced.<\/p>\n<p>The process is divided into design, parts processing, heat treatment, assembly, and test firing.<br>\n Each of these methods requires time and expense.<br>\nThe criteria for what is included in an estimate vary from company to company.<br>\nSome companies charge separately for design fees, while others include trial runs in their price.<\/p>\n<p>Even when using the same phrase &quot;complete set of molds,&quot; the scope they refer to can differ.<br>\n This complexity of the configuration is the underlying reason.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>We are checking whether the breakdown is written down by individual parts and processes.<\/h2>\n\n<p>When comparing quotes,<br>\n First, we check whether the breakdown is separated by component unit and process unit.<br>\nIf design, processing, heat treatment, assembly, and test firing are listed as separate items,<br>\n This will give you a clear picture of where and how much money is being spent.<\/p>\n<p>Another point to consider is,<br>\n The key is whether or not to identify in advance the parts of the prototype specifications that are most likely to change.<\/p>\n<p>The movable parts and fitting parts (parts that fit together) are<br>\n Bugs that only become apparent after actually running the program are likely to occur.<br>\n This is an area that often requires modifications during the prototyping stage.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing this point beforehand will help you<br>\n This makes it easier to anticipate, from the estimation stage, which parts&#039; molds will need to be remade if modifications are necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>After defining the scope of the project, obtain quotes from multiple factories.<\/h2>\n\n<p>In this consultation, we obtained quotes from multiple factories.<br>\n We considered methods for comparison after standardizing the scope of the data.<br>\nBy having the design fee, processing fee, heat treatment fee, and trial run fee listed under the same category,<br>\n This is the first time that comparing prices becomes meaningful.<\/p>\n<p>Another thing we considered was to first identify the parts of the specifications that are most likely to change,<br>\n This approach involves agreeing on an estimated cost for any additional expenses that may arise if changes are made, before creating a prototype.<\/p>\n<p>Regarding movable parts and fitting parts,<br>\n If you ask in advance about the estimated cost if revisions are necessary,<br>\n This makes it easier to estimate costs during the prototyping process.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>The concept of aligning the scope of orders can also be applied to orders other than molds.<\/h2>\n\n<p>The idea of standardizing the scope of work when comparing quotes is not limited to molds.<br>\nSheet metal processing, cutting, surface treatment, etc.<br>\n This concept applies to all orders that are completed through multiple processes.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of judging whether it&#039;s high or low just by looking at the amount on the estimate,<br>\n First, check what range that amount covers.<br>\nMaintaining this order is the starting point for comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>We compare options across the entire range, from design to the selection of the manufacturing facility.<\/h2>\n\n<p>MACHICOCO is a company based in Higashi-Osaka.<br>\n We provide project management services to bring products to life in collaboration with engineers at local factories.<br>\nWe don&#039;t own any large-scale facilities in-house; we handle everything from development and manufacturing to sales.<\/p>\n<p>Regarding mold quotes,<br>\n We can start by standardizing the scope of the breakdown and then comparing multiple processing locations.<br>\nIf specification changes are anticipated during the prototyping phase, identify in advance the areas where changes are likely to occur.<br>\n We will also consider how to proceed by agreeing on an estimated additional cost in advance.<\/p>\n<p>From the stage of finalizing the design direction to selecting a processing partner for mass production,<br>\n We handle it according to the scope.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>You can start a consultation even without drawings.<\/h2>\n\n<p>Having the following information will help the consultation proceed more quickly.<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Hand-drawn pictures and photographs<\/li>\n<li>Approximate dimensions<\/li>\n<li>Intended usage<\/li>\n<li>Desired quantity<\/li>\n<li>If you have any actual examples that could be used as reference, please include those as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Drawings are not required.<br>\nI tried creating CAD data using AI, but...<br>\n We also receive inquiries from people who are unsure whether the design can be used directly for mold design.<br>\nEven at the idea stage, we can work together to consider everything from design and prototyping to manufacturing methods.<\/p>\n<p>You can consult with us even with handwritten drawings or photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n<!-- \u56f3\u89e3\u6848\uff1a\u91d1\u578b\u306e\u65ad\u9762\u56f3\uff08\u30b3\u30a2\u30fb\u30ad\u30e3\u30d3\u30c6\u30a3\u30fb\u30b9\u30e9\u30a4\u30c9\u6a5f\u69cb\u30fb\u5165\u308c\u5b50\u306e\u914d\u7f6e\u304c\u5206\u304b\u308b\u3082\u306e)\u306b\u3001\u8a2d\u8a08\u30fb\u52a0\u5de5\u30fb\u71b1\u51e6\u7406\u30fb\u7d44\u7acb\u30fb\u8a66\u3057\u6253\u3061\u306e\u5de5\u7a0b\u30d0\u30fc\u3092\u6dfb\u3048\u3066\u3001\u305d\u308c\u305e\u308c\u304c\u3069\u306e\u90e8\u54c1\u306b\u5bfe\u5fdc\u3059\u308b\u304b\u3092\u7dda\u3067\u7d50\u3076\u56f3\u3002\u898b\u7a4d\u66f8\u306e\u9805\u76ee\u3068\u90e8\u54c1\u30fb\u5de5\u7a0b\u306e\u5bfe\u5fdc\u95a2\u4fc2\u304c\u4e00\u76ee\u3067\u5206\u304b\u308b\u3088\u3046\u306b\u3059\u308b\u3002 -->\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/product-development\/\">Even at the idea stage,<br>\n We can work with you from the design, prototyping, and manufacturing methods.<br>\nYou can consult with us even with handwritten drawings or photographs.<br>\n<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u8a72\u5f53\u7b87\u6240\u306e\u307f\u4fee\u6b63\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 \u300c\u91d1\u578b\u4e00\u5f0f\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u898b\u7a4d\u3082\u308a\u3060\u3051\u3067\u306f\u3001\u6bd4\u3079\u65b9\u304c\u5206\u304b\u3089\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f \u5546\u54c1\u5316\u3092\u691c\u8a0e\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u65b9 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32714,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[171],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-column"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790157837895-E98791E59E8BE8A68BE7A98DE38282E3828AE381AEE5AE89E38184E9AB98E38184E38292E6AF94E8BC83E38199E3828BE381A8E3818D.png?fit=2560%2C1340&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32640"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33420,"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32640\/revisions\/33420"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machicoco.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}