| Cavity / Core Steel | P20, 718H, 2738, NAK80, H13, S136 | Selected by tool life and polish requirements |
| Cavity / Core Hardness | Pre-hardened steel HRC 30–35; Heat-treated steel HRC 48–52 | Directly affects wear resistance and mold life |
| Mold Base | LKM / HASCO / DME / MISUMI | LKM S50C or P20 are common choices |
| Runner System | Hot runner (pin-point gate) / Cold runner | Hot runner is common for chairs to reduce cold scrap and improve efficiency |
| Number of Cavities | Single cavity (large chairs) / Multi-cavity (stools) | Large chairs are usually 1-cavity; small parts can be multi-cavity |
| Resins | PP, HDPE, ABS, PC, regrind | PP is commonly used for chairs; UV-stable PP required outdoors; glass-filled resins need wear-resistant steel |
| Tool Life | 300,000 – 1,000,000 shots | P20 approx. 200,000–300,000; 2738/heat-treated steel can reach 600,000–1,000,000 |
| Cycle Time | 35 – 70 s | 1.3–2.5 kg chairs: 45–66 s on standard machines; 35–50 s on high-efficiency machines |
| Injection Machine Tonnage | 650T – 1650T | Standard chairs approx. 850T; PC chairs / gas-assist chairs require 1350T+ |
| Clamp Force Check | Projected area × cavity pressure (350–500 kg/cm²) × 1.17 safety factor | Must exceed the parting force; insufficient clamp force causes flash |
| Surface Finish | Mirror / grain / rattan EDM | Parting line should be smooth to the touch |
| Corrosion Consideration | PVC/POM/PBT and other corrosive resins require S136, 2316 | Halogen-containing or acidic plastics require stainless steel molds |
| CAD / CAE | UG, SolidWorks, Pro/E, AutoCAD, Moldflow | Fill and cooling studies completed before steel is cut |