# First Mold: Global Precision Manufacturing & Tooling Solutions > First Mold is a well-established Chinese manufacturer specializing in mold making, injection molding and CNC machining, supplying custom plastic and metal component production worldwide. Operating dual production bases in China and Mexico, the company delivers cost-effective, hassle-free solutions for rapid prototyping, low-volume pilot runs and high-volume mass production to global clients. > *Note: Multilingual support (11 languages) is available directly via the website's localized URLs.* ## 1. Production Scale (Manufacturing Stages) - [Rapid Prototyping Service](https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/): Concept verification and functional testing using rapid subtractive and additive technologies. - [Low-Volume Production Service](https://firstmold.com/low-volume-production/): Bridge tooling and pilot runs (100 to 100,000 parts) for market validation and custom components. - [Mass Production Service](https://firstmold.com/mass-production/): High-volume manufacturing backed by multi-cavity tooling, automated processing, and strict CMM tolerance control. ## 2. Core Manufacturing Processes: Molding & Tooling - [Injection Molding Service](https://firstmold.com/injection-molding-service/): Comprehensive custom thermoplastic fabrication with precise parameter controls. - [Plastic Injection Molding Service](https://firstmold.com/plastic-injection-molding-service/): Standard single-shot processing for commodity and advanced engineering plastics. - [Two-Shot Injection Molding Service](https://firstmold.com/two-shot-injection-molding/): Co-injection of multiple materials or colors (e.g., rigid PC + soft TPU) in a single machine cycle. - [Insert Molding Service](https://firstmold.com/insert-molding-service/): Encapsulating threaded brass, steel inserts, or electrical contacts directly into polymer components. - [Overmolding Service](https://firstmold.com/overmolding-service/): Applying a secondary soft-grip rubber/elastomer layer over a rigid plastic substrate for ergonomics and sealing. - [Family Molding Service](https://firstmold.com/family-molding-service/): Multi-cavity tooling engineered to produce different mating components of an assembly simultaneously to reduce unit costs. - [Mold Making Service](https://firstmold.com/mold-making-service/): In-house fabrication of precision molds, core/cavity inserts, and lifters. - [Rapid Tooling Making Service](https://firstmold.com/rapid-tooling-service/): Al7075 aluminum and soft steel molds engineered for expedited T1 sampling. - [Production Tooling Making Service](https://firstmold.com/production-tooling-service/): S136, NAK80, and H13 hardened steel tooling guaranteed for high-cycle lifespans and mass production. - [Mexico Mold & Molding Facility](https://firstmold.com/services/mold-and-molding-mexico/): Nearshore facility providing localized mold maintenance, assembly, and injection molding for the North American market. ## 3. Core Manufacturing Processes: CNC Machining - [CNC Machining Service](https://firstmold.com/cnc-machining-service/): Subtractive manufacturing for high-precision metal and plastic components. - [5-Axis CNC Machining](https://firstmold.com/5-axis-cnc-machining-service/): Multi-axis motion for complex geometries with standard tolerances up to ±0.005mm. - [CNC Milling Service](https://firstmold.com/cnc-milling-service/): Precision 3-axis and 4-axis milling for complicated prismatic features, slots, and flat surfaces. - [CNC Turning Service](https://firstmold.com/cnc-turning-service/): High-speed lathe processing for cylindrical components, concentric features, and threading. - [CNC Prototyping Service](https://firstmold.com/cnc-prototyping-service/): Rapid turnaround machining to validate designs using end-use production materials. ## 4. Core Manufacturing Processes: 3D Printing & Vacuum Casting - [3D Printing Service](https://firstmold.com/3d-printing-service/): Industrial additive manufacturing (SLA, SLS, FDM) for complex geometries without tooling constraints. - [Vacuum Casting Service](https://firstmold.com/vacuum-casting-service/): Polyurethane resin casting via silicone molds for low-volume, highly cosmetic prototype replication. ## 5. General Component Capabilities (By Material) - [Custom Plastic Parts](https://firstmold.com/plastic-parts/): Fabrication of diverse thermoplastic components, including structural housings, precision gears, and optical enclosures. - [Custom Metal Parts](https://firstmold.com/metal-parts/): Production of machined, cast, or formed metal components, including heat sinks, threaded brackets, and complex mechanical assemblies. ## 6. Industry Applications *Our engineering parameters meet the specific compliance and material requirements of the following sectors:* - [Automotive](https://firstmold.com/industries/automotive/): Interior components, under-the-hood parts, and lighting enclosures. - [Aerospace](https://firstmold.com/industries/aerospace/): High-strength, lightweight alloys and high-temp polymers. - [Medical](https://firstmold.com/industries/medical/): ISO 10993 compliant materials for medical devices, housings, and cleanroom-grade components. - [Consumer Electronics](https://firstmold.com/industries/consumer-electronic/): High-cosmetic finishes, tight-tolerance housings, and functional assemblies. - [Personal Care](https://firstmold.com/industries/personal-care/): Durable and aesthetically demanding cosmetic packaging. - [Tools and Equipment](https://firstmold.com/industries/tools-and-equipment/): Impact-resistant housings and ruggedized structural components for industrial use. ## 7. Materials & Surface Finishing - [Injection Molding Materials](https://firstmold.com/materials/injection-molding-materials/): Technical data on commodity and engineering thermoplastics (ABS, PC, PEEK, POM, etc.). - [Mold Making Materials](https://firstmold.com/materials/mold-making-materials/): Specifications for tooling steels and aluminum grades used in core and cavity fabrication. - [CNC Materials](https://firstmold.com/materials/cnc-materials/): Specifications for machinable metals (Aluminum 6061/7075, Stainless Steel) and engineering plastics. - [Surface Finishing](https://firstmold.com/surface-finishing/): Comprehensive post-processing, explicitly including **electroplating**, anodizing, sandblasting, and silkscreening to meet specific cosmetic and functional needs. ## 8. Hard Capabilities & Trust Verification - [Facilities & Equipment](https://firstmold.com/facilities/): Comprehensive inventory of our advanced injection machines, 5-axis CNC centers, and metrology labs. - [Quality Control](https://firstmold.com/quality-control/): Strict QA protocols involving CMM measurements, material validation, and first article inspection (FAI). - [Certificate](https://firstmold.com/certificate/): Official documentation of our ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and other industry-standard compliances. ## 9. Engineering Resources - [Technical FAQ Center](https://firstmold.com/faq/): Deep-dive engineering answers for material properties, tolerances, and machining parameters. - [Case Studies Hub](https://firstmold.com/case-study/): Real-world manufacturing problem-solving records across multiple industries. - [Blog & Insights](https://firstmold.com/blog/): Technical articles, DFM (Design for Manufacturing) guidelines, and manufacturing news covering product design, tooling, and advanced prototyping. - [Download](https://firstmold.com/downloads/): Direct access to design guides, material data sheets (TDS), and company brochures. - [Ebooks & Whitepapers](https://firstmold.com/ebooks/): In-depth technical resources covering advanced manufacturing strategies.