This manufacturing method offers low-cost tooling, simple processing, and a wide range of part size potential. Parts have one finished surface and require trimming. Open molding is labor intensive and not particularly suited for producing large quantities of parts unless market circumstances such as short product life cycles are a factor. Hand lay up or spray up is sometimes used as a preliminary step to full production or for fabricating prototypes. The lead-time for tooling of open molded parts is shorter than that of a closed mold or matched die program. Able Mfg.currently has several programs underway in which open molding is being used concurrently with a closed mold program in order to introduce the product to market while waiting for the closed mold tooling to be developed.

The deck and hull of this personal watercraft are molded via the hand lay up open mold process. The color is also molded in, eliminating the need for painting. Open molding is an ideal process for manufacturing personal watercraft bodies. The process allows Able Mfg.to customize the glass loading to add strength to the laminate where it is needed. The relatively low capital cost and short lead time to tool up in this process versus other processes such as compression molded SMC, also matches well with the rapid product development requirements and short product life cycles characterized by this industry. Manufacturers are constantly changing and enhancing their products to appeal to end users and open molding provides them with the flexibility to achieve this goal.