http://www.quickparts.com/learningcente … esign.aspx
http://www.xcentricmold.com/design_guidelines.php
http://www.solidconcepts.com/resources/ … uidelines/

Some of the basics to be aware of are things like no inner voids or otherwise unfillable features.  the basic molding process is 2 halves of the mold opening in 1 axis.  These create the simplest of parts and are the lowest cost for the tooling.  Models incorporating features like holes or slots going sideways to the opening axis will call for the mold to have operating "slides" and will be more costly.

While modeling, try to visualize the part ejection process, not having any "captured" features; like a horizontal stud sticking out in a vertical void.

1 degree draft is normal for side walls; 1.5 to 2 degrees for textured surfaces, which I highly recommend to hide surface aberrations.

As far as prototype molding services, you can Google them, but in the U.S. it is rather costly.  I do most of my stuff in China when necessary...

I am interested in getting production quotes to have some of my models injection molded. I have gotten some guidelines online like how to watch wall thickness, wall inclines to help parts pop out of the mild, etc. but I'd really like a basic run down of key issues from someone who has BTDT.

Are there preferred companies that are geared toward small runs, inventors, noobs, etc? Companies to avoid?