MTD has been building dies in China on and off for the past 15 years. MTD works as a Tool Integrator for a tooling manufacturer near Shanghai. As recently as July 2008 MTD completed a tooling implementation in the USA.
The Process
Depending on the time constraints of the tool being built in Shanghai, usually our partner in China will build the tools to around 75% to 90% of completion and MTD will complete the assembly along with coating processes here in Canada. MTD handles all design and interfacing with the customer. Design is done in China or in Canada; under the direction of MTD using customer supplied Tooling Standards. MTD places a Tooling Engineer in Shanghai for the duration of the build, traveling back and forth as necessary.
For tryouts in China we request that the customer send material to be used for production to MTD. MTD will handle shipping of raw material along with checking fixtures as needed to China.
| A Typical Timeline | |
| PO Received | |
| 1 Week | MTD starts design process. |
| 1 Week | MTD conducts in house review, MTD then discusses all concepts with customer. |
| Before Chips Made | Build starts. MTD places tooling engineer in China. |
| Ongoing | Weekly updates supplied by engineer to all involved parties. |
| 12 – 14 Weeks | Normal duration on multiple tools built in China, Single tools (5 – 8 Weeks) |
| MTD will try out die before shipping. | |
| 3 Weeks | Normal travel time from China to Canada. |
| 1 week | Travel from Canadian port to MTD. |
| 2 – 3 Weeks | Completion of tool at MTD. |
| 1 – 2 Days | Buy off at MTD. |
| 3 Days | Tools, material and fixtures are shipped to customer. |
| 1 – 2 Days | Buy off at customers sight. |