WORDS OF WISDOM

1. Keep an open mind on product design up to Stage 5. Mouldmakers, designers and moulders may see ways to improve production economics with little or no change in product appearance. Don't be unnecessarily rigid on dimensional tolerances.
   
   
2. Identified mouldmakers should take encouragement from the fact that they have been chosen as potential suppliers because of their particular skills and abilities. Initial budget prices should be accepted until a detail specification has been established. It is not practical for a mouldmaker to give a firm contract price at the outset; forcing him to do so may result in an estimate so high that the project is aborted or so low that all parties become dissatisfied.
   
   
3. If possible let the PENTAMODE team leader emerge rather than be imposed. The customer may feel that he should have the right to appoint a leader but this may not necessarily be in his best interest or that of the project.
   
   
4. Don't mix technical discussion and commercial negotiation. Most team members are likely to have technical backgrounds therefore negotiation over contract prices is best conducted separately by those with financial authority who will have recourse to technical advice.
   
   
5. Communicate. Team members should always be prepared to voice any doubts about specifications or procedures at any stage.
   
   
6. Listen - especially to the design assumptions. Each team member should be constantly aware that he is committing his own department or company to action. Even if the other chap doesn't take notes make sure you do.
   
   
7. Don't over-complicate mould design. It is sensible to consider appropriate, leading edge technologies and design aids (e.g. computer analysis) for challenging applications but simple moulds are best for simple products. The mould is only the channel leading from a design concept to an end product.
   
   
8. Moulding cycle times, and the final product cost are greatly influenced by part and tool design and the careful selection of the moulding material.
   
   
9. Late starting predicates the certainty of late finishing.
   
   
10. Horses for courses. The most suitable supplier for each element of the project should be selected; remember that high prices do not necessarily guarantee satisfaction.