DOC KB-OEM-010REV 2026-09-21CLASS: PUBLIC
Custom OEM Protective Cases: Realistic Timeline From RFQ to Shipment
Direct answer
For an injection-molded OEM case, expect about 45 days from confirmed drawing to shipment when the factory already has a suitable mold, and about 125 days when new tooling must be cut — tooling and first-article validation dominate the second figure. Color, foam, hardware and print customization happen in parallel and rarely extend the schedule if specified early.
§01Stage-by-stage
| Stage | Existing mold | New mold | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFQ & drawing freeze | week 0 | week 0 | 3D/2D confirmed, resin, color, hardware locked |
| Tooling | — | weeks 1–10 | mold design, steel cutting, fitting |
| T1 samples | week 1 | weeks 11–13 | first shots; wall, warp and gloss checked |
| Validation | weeks 1–3 | weeks 13–15 | sealing/drop checks, foam fit, corrections (T2 if needed) |
| Mass production | weeks 3–5 | weeks 15–16 | molding, assembly, foam CNC, QC |
| Shipment (EXW/FOB) | ≈day 45 | ≈day 125 | packing, inspection, handover |
§02What shortens or lengthens the schedule
- Locked drawings. Every post-T1 geometry change re-enters tooling; a frozen 3D file at week 0 is worth weeks later.
- Standard hardware. Custom latches or valves add 30–60 days of sourcing; catalog hardware does not.
- Color compounds. Custom-matched resins need 1–2 weeks of compounding; a stocked masterbatch color does not.
- Validation depth. Buyer-witnessed drop and IP testing adds calendar time but is cheap insurance on first orders.
Planning tip: put inspection rights (third-party or remote video) and a T1 sample approval gate in the purchase contract. The T1 gate is where 90 % of OEM disappointments are preventable.