ISO 16916:2016

Overview

ISO 16916:2016 - Tools for moulding: Tool specification sheet for injection moulds defines a standardized specification sheet to describe injection moulds at the tender (request for offer) and ordering stages. The standard sets out the data required for material acquisition, equipment, structural mould design (including surface finishes), machine-specific data, types of operation and warranty information. It is explicitly not applicable to compression moulds or die-casting dies. ISO 16916:2016 replaces ISO 16916:2004 and includes expanded guidance on demoulding.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard structures the tool specification sheet into clear sections so supplier offers can be compared and misinterpretation minimized. Major technical topics include:

• General information: buyer/supplier contacts, drawings, part numbers, cavity counts, production vs prototype tool designation.
• Guidelines: responsibilities for design approval, sampling rules (material-specific), ownership of electrodes and CNC programs.
• Order contents and scope of delivery: required CAD data, drawings (components, plates, electrodes), NC programs, standard parts, hot runners, samples and test reports.
• Mould design: mould types (e.g., two-plate, three‑plate, stack, hot‑runner), gating options, hot-runner/nozzle types.
• Setting up/transport and clamping: lifting, centering, clamping plates and grooves, adapter plates and machine mounting arrangements.
• Cooling/heating: expected mould temperatures, number of circuits, cooled/heated components, thermal insulation, cooling nipples and electric heating options.
• Demoulding and ejection: slides, ejector systems, angle ejectors, two‑stage ejectors, drives (hydraulic, servo), thread/core removal methods.
• Process control and monitoring: pressure transducers, measuring pins, thermocouples, position monitoring (micro switches).
• Mould materials and surfaces: steel grades, heat treatment, surface finishes and coatings (e.g., TIC, chrome, nickel), marking and traceability.
• Machine data, operation type and warranty: machine compatibility, fully/semi‑automatic operation and warranty clauses.

Practical applications

ISO 16916 provides a practical, checklist-style specification that:

• Enables procurement teams to request comparable, complete tool offers.
• Helps toolmakers and mould designers document required design, materials, thermal and control features.
• Reduces production start‑up risks by clarifying sampling, testing and machine interface requirements.
• Supports quality and maintenance teams by standardizing markings, steel grades and surface/coating expectations.

Who uses this standard

• Tool and mould manufacturers
• OEMs and plastics part producers
• Procurement and tendering teams
• Tooling engineers, mould designers and quality/production engineers

Related standards

• ISO 12165 - referenced for terms and symbols related to mould components.

Keywords: ISO 16916:2016, injection moulds, tool specification sheet, mould design, tooling specification, hot runner, cooling circuits, demoulding, process control, mould surfaces.