The mold industry in China has experienced significant growth over the years. This progress is largely attributed to the rapid development of foreign-invested enterprises, which have contributed to both the scale and quality of mold production. Alongside this, the non-state-owned sector has also flourished, further expanding the production capacity of molds and improving product quality. In regions such as the Pearl River Delta and Yangze River Delta, where a large number of Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and foreign investments are concentrated, the rise of companies in industries like machinery, electronics, and consumer goods has led to an increased demand for in-house mold production.
The scale of mold manufacturing in this segment is estimated to be between 300 to 500 billion yuan. By 2005, the total scale of the Chinese mold industry had already surpassed 60 billion yuan. According to expert Luo Baihui, during the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period, the industry grew at a rate higher than the annual average of 15%. The annual output of molds during that time was expected to reach 100 to 200 billion yuan, with the overall size of the industry reaching approximately 100 billion yuan. With an average annual increase of 15 billion yuan, the fixed asset investment ratio was roughly 1:1, with about 60% of the investment used for new equipment purchases. On average, around 9 billion yuan was spent annually on purchasing various types of equipment.
This represents an estimate of the equipment market within the mold industry. Although it constitutes only a small portion of the broader machine tool industry, it should not be underestimated. Even if many foreign-funded enterprises rely on imported equipment, the domestic machine tool industry still holds a potential market of at least 6 billion yuan per year. If domestic equipment and services are competitive, foreign firms may also consider purchasing cost-effective local options. Therefore, if the machine tool industry can effectively capture this market, the 30 billion yuan opportunity during the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period could indeed be considered a major one.
Mold processing differs from other mechanical processes in several key ways. First, most molds require complex three-dimensional shaping, and as molds grow larger, their weight increases—some now weighing tens of tons. Second, molds are typically rectangular or square in shape, with the main machining area focused on punches and dies. Third, the precision required for modern molds has increased significantly, with some achieving tolerances as tight as ±1–2 micrometers, and even tighter tolerances are on the horizon. Finally, with shorter production cycles, mold processing must meet demands for high efficiency, speed, flexibility, and continuous operation.
Based on these characteristics, mold processing equipment must meet specific requirements: high rigidity and load capacity, a work surface compatible with mold size, excellent accuracy and precision retention, efficient material removal with high reliability, and multi-axis capabilities for complex surfaces. Additionally, advanced CNC systems are necessary to handle large data sets.
Beyond these basics, there are numerous other special requirements. For example, plastic molding machines need high-speed performance but can be lighter due to lower cutting forces. Prototype research presses do not require high speed but must offer anti-rotational stability for repairs. Simple repetitive tasks can benefit from specialized planes. Moreover, compound processing, flexible operations, and in-line inspection are also becoming essential in mold manufacturing.
Currently, while the domestic machine tool industry has the capability to meet most mold processing needs, it lacks sufficient focus on this niche market. Many products are not specifically designed for mold industry requirements, leading to issues with structural compatibility, part quality, and long-term reliability. Additionally, management inefficiencies and poor after-sales support hinder the adoption of domestic equipment by mold companies. To improve competitiveness, the industry must better understand and address these unique demands.
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