Rotational Molding worked example

Labor Per Mold at 58% direct-labor share of mold handling: a worked example

This worked example runs the labor per mold numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 58% direct-labor share of mold handling instead of the typical 80%. Labor per mold quantifies the hands-on cost of loading powder, mounting and demounting molds, releasing parts, and finishing them across a rotomolding arm's cycle.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Molds or parts cycled by the crew: 100 units (held at the documented default)
  • Loaded labor rate per mold handled: 45 $ / unit (held at the documented default)
  • Direct-labor share of mold handling: 58 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 80)
  • Fixed setup and staging labor cost: 250 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Labor Per Mold cost = quantity × rate × capture factor + fixed cost.
  • Weighted cost works out to 2,860 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Per piece value works out to 28.6 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Captured value works out to 2,610 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed adjustment works out to 250 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where direct-labor share of mold handling sits at 80% and the headline result is 3,850 $, this scenario comes in 25.71% below the baseline at 2,860 $.
  • Use it when quoting a job, planning crew size for a run, or working out why small-batch parts carry a high labor cost per piece. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Weighted cost: 2,860 $ (headline result)
  • Per piece value: 28.6 $ / piece
  • Captured value: 2,610 $
  • Fixed adjustment: 250 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Labor Per Mold calculator, set direct-labor share of mold handling to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.