info@siking.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about working with SIKING

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
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1,000 units on tooled parts. Sub-MOQ quantities are available only for DFM validation, first-article inspection, and sampling support — not for production orders. Prototype and sample molds can produce smaller quantities for qualification purposes. If you need less than 1,000 units for production, discuss your requirements with us — we may be able to suggest alternatives.
What are your typical lead times?
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DFM report: 3-5 business days
Prototype mold: 7-10 days
Production tooling: 15-25 days
Trial production: 5-7 days
Mass production: 10-25 days depending on complexity

Total from inquiry to first shipment: approximately 6-10 weeks depending on complexity, material availability, and your approval cycles.
What materials do you work with?
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Primary: Silicone rubber (HTV and LSR) from Dow, Wacker ELASTOSIL, and Shin-Etsu.

Secondary: TPU, TPE, and hard plastics (PP, PC, ABS, Nylon).

In-house compounding: We maintain in-house compounding capability covering 0-90 Shore A hardness range.
What is your quality control process?
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Four-stage quality control system:

IQC (Incoming Quality Control) — raw material inspection before production
IPQC (In-Process Quality Control) — monitoring during production
FQC (Final Quality Control) — finished product inspection
OQC (Outgoing Quality Control) — pre-shipment audit

Performance metrics: DPPM ≤1,000, first-pass yield ≥97%, acceptance rate ≥98%.

View quality process details →
What certifications do you hold?
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Currently held:
• ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System
• ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management System

Currently pursuing:
• ISO 13485 — Medical Device Quality (pathway)
• IATF 16949 — Automotive Quality (pathway)

Compliance documentation available:
• RoHS — material declarations for applicable products
• REACH — documentation through supplier network

View certification details →
Can I request samples before placing an order?
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Yes. Sample requests go through a qualification process — we review your application requirements and provide samples appropriate to your evaluation needs. This is not an unconditional giveaway; samples support genuine qualification and evaluation workflows.

Request a sample →
How do you protect my intellectual property?
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NDA signed before any technical discussion. All drawings, tooling designs, and product specifications are treated as confidential. Molds are stored on-site and remain the customer's property as specified in the tooling agreement. We do not share customer designs with other parties or use customer-developed tooling for other customers.
What file formats do you accept for drawings?
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Preferred: STEP, IGES for 3D models; DWG for 2D drawings.

Acceptable: PDF with dimensions clearly marked.

Reverse engineering: If you only have a physical sample, we can reverse-engineer dimensions for you.

3D models are preferred for DFM analysis and reduce back-and-forth during quote preparation.
Can I visit the factory?
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Yes. Factory visits are welcome and encouraged, especially for new partnerships. Contact us to schedule a visit.

Location: Shenzhen, Longhua District
Nearest airport: Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)

We can arrange hotel recommendations and local transportation for your visit.
How do you handle shipping and logistics?
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Terms: FOB Shenzhen or CIF to your port. We work with established freight forwarders for both sea and air shipments.

Documentation: Full export documentation provided including commercial invoice, packing list, and certificates of conformance.

We can work with your designated freight forwarder or recommend reliable logistics partners based on destination.
What are your payment terms?
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Tooling: 30% deposit on tooling, balance on delivery.

Production orders: Negotiable based on relationship and volume.

Standard payment method: T/T (wire transfer).

Terms are discussed during the quoting process and formalized in the purchase order.
Can you match an existing part from another supplier?
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Yes. Send us the part or detailed drawings and we can quote a matching mold and production run. We perform full dimensional analysis to ensure compatibility with your existing assembly. This is common for customers seeking alternative supply sources or dual-sourcing strategies.
What is your defect rate?
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DPPM ≤ 1,000 — fewer than 1,000 defective parts per million.
First-pass yield ≥97% — percentage passing inspection on first attempt.
Acceptance rate ≥98% — customer acceptance rate on shipped orders.

These metrics are measured and reported quarterly. DPPM is the primary defect rate metric we use — it's more precise than percentage-based claims.
Do you offer custom material compounding?
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Yes. In-house compounding covers the 0-90 Shore A hardness range. We can adjust:

• Hardness
• Color (colored compounds)
• Functional properties (conductive fillers, flame retardants, etc.)

Custom compounding is quoted based on your specifications and volume requirements.
What is the difference between prototype and production tooling?
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Prototype / Sample Molds:
• Size: 100x100mm to 200x200mm
• Purpose: Validation, DFM confirmation, first-article samples
• Cost: Lower cost, faster turnaround
• Shot life: Limited

Production Molds:
• Size: 300x300mm to 500x500mm
• Steel: P20 or 55# steel grade
• Design life: 300,000+ shots with automatic life monitoring
• Purpose: Mass production, full quantity runs

Prototype molds let you validate design before committing to production tooling investment.
Still have questions?
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Contact our team directly. We respond to technical inquiries within 1-2 business days.

Contact us →

Ready to Start a Project?

Contact our team with your specifications or questions.