Tag Archive for: Injection Molding Cost

How Much Does Injection Molding Cost

Injection molding cost

Injection molding is a common name for plastic part manufacturing. This process injects molten plastic into a mold to create different shapes of plastic. The process is easy to understand but very complex technology, it must be a professional molding factory to handle all of those jobs. However, the cost associated with this method may vary based on various factors. Today, we are going to talk about all these factors affecting the plastic injection molding cost.

People often ask about How Much Does Injection Molding Cost and what factors affect them the most. You might need this information to optimize your project’s total cost. What do you have to consider reducing the total cost? Stay tuned; this article will provide every single detail that you might need for your project.

This article is a comprehensive guide on injection molding costs. Consecutively, you will go through different kinds of expenses. On top of that, you will know what factors are running all these costs. There are some tips that you can use in product planning as well. In general, this guide will be very helpful.

How Much Does Injection Molding Cost

What is Injection Molding?

Before we proceed with the cost analysis, we need first to review injection molding. In short, it is a popular type of plastic part manufacturing process. The term “injection” means that this method injects molten plastic into dies to create different shapes.

You can realize that injection molding heavily relies on high-quality dies. Plastic mold or dies is the core component of injection molding. The total injection molding cost significantly depends on this item. You’ll learn more about it later.

The process normally starts by heating the plastic until it melts. The molten plastic is then injected into the die or mold, which gives it its shape.

When the molten plastic cools and solidifies, it gets the desired shape of the plastic. This stage is very critical because most of the defects come from this stage if not handled carefully. Finally, you can remove the newly produced part from the mold. This is how plastic injection molding components are manufactured in a factory.

The whole process could take seconds or minutes. The specific duration is not fixed; it depends on the part’s size and difficulty. Car industries, consumer goods, and other factories heavily rely on this method. Parts like your car’s dashboard, TV remote, electric items, and many more are noteworthy.

Why is Injection molding so popular? One reason is that it saves a lot of money and is versatile. You can create almost anything if you have the dies for that specific part.

Different Types of Injection Molding Cost

Injection molding costs are not limited to making molds only. There is a wide array of cost differences in each stage of the process, from creating the mold to selecting materials and manual labor. Knowing these prices can help you keep your budget in check and improve production.

Part Design Cost

When you do injection molding, the first thing you do is product design. Usually, you will make a sketch or prototype for your final part in this step. The design cost typically ranges between $500 and $3000, depending on numerous design aspects. The key elements influencing this are the design’s complexity and prototype quality.

A simple design often costs less. On the other hand, a complicated design often has intricate pieces that require professional verification. That will require more time and effort, raising costs.

Moreover, the prototype also plays a role here. A prototype is the first physical representation of the final product. To get an accurate and satisfactory result, a new product first goes through various rapid prototyping processes. This step might need multiple iterations to get it right. Each revision adds up costs. This step is also important to create accurate mold creation.

Injection Molding Machine and Equipment Cost

A major part of injection molding cost generally lies in machines and equipment. A high-quality machine can ensure high precision, adding high expenses. The type of molding machine also influences the price.

For example, hydraulic machines don’t need electricity, while electric machines do. The use of electricity also adds to the injection molding cost. However, it is important to note that hydraulic hoses can handle heavy-duty tasks. These tools are used a lot for bigger plastic parts.

Furthermore, the type of injection molding equipment used may vary depending on the amount of manufacturing. For small amounts of work, desktop injection molding tools are sufficient. You could also use 3D-printed models in this case. However, for bigger plastic parts, you might need a larger machine, which might be costly, ranging from 50 grand to over 200 grand.

Note that purchasing the machine is just the beginning, and it is substantial. However, you must not forget about regular maintenance. Each machine needs to be maintained to ensure it runs smoothly, which also adds to the total injection molding cost.

Injection Molding Mold Cost or Tooling Cost

Creating mold is the most critical step of injection molding. Injection molding mold cost is the single largest upfront cost. This cost is often called tooling cost, go to injection mold cost page to know more about this cost.

The tooling cost or injection molding mold cost also varies based on different criteria. In general, there are two types of molds: single-cavity and multi-cavity. A single-cavity mold generally produces one item at a time. It is much cheaper, but this method is slow and increases downtime.

Multi-cavity molds, on the other hand, may produce multiple parts at once. They cost more than single-cavity molds, but they can speed things up. Making a mold with only one cavity is less expensive than making one with many cavities, but it can’t make cheaper goods in the long run. To get the best deal on mold, you should carefully consider what kind you need for your job.

You can make injection molds in many ways. Three popular methods are CNC machining, EDM machining, and 3D printing.

CNC Machining

You might already be familiar with this technology. This method uses computer programs to move along the designated area. So, there’s no chance of error in this method. Like other machining processes, you can use it to make injection molds. This method works well, quickly, and reliably. This is how you can cut the shape out of a metal block. Note that tooling material plays a crucial role in injection molding. Note that the cost of injection molding also depends on the type of tooling material.

CNC machining is an excellent method for achieving tight tolerances. However, it may be expensive. Setup and tooling can be costly, especially with complex designs. But if you make a lot of parts, it’s a good investment.

EDM Machining

EDM is one of the newest technologies that was discovered in the twentieth century. It is also a common method for producing complex injection molds. If you are looking for details or deep, sharp corners, EDM is the method you should look for. However, EDM is very slow and needs much care. It is also costlier than CNC machining.

3D Printing

3D printing is an excellent option for small and low-volume operations. It’s also an excellent option for creating rapid prototypes. It’s quick, inexpensive, and simple to use. However, it is not always the ideal option for creating long-lasting molds. 3D-printed objects are less durable than CNC or EDM-produced objects. For mass production, you may require a more robust solution.

Injected Material Cost

One of the most important considerations in injection molding is the cost of the injected materials. The material you choose has a huge impact on the cost of injection molding. Different types of plastic have different price tags. Commodity plastics, like polypropylene, are cost-effective materials. But if you need extra strength, then you might go for ABS or PC plastics, which are comparatively expensive.

Conversely, engineering plastic, like nylon, offers a balance between price and performance. High-performance polymers, such as PEEK, are superior but expensive. Thus, selecting the correct material is quite crucial in injection molding cost analysis.

Labor or Service Costs

The injection molding cost list concludes with labor or service costs. If you are dealing with an injection molding company, you can find this in their quotation. Different companies offer different types of service charges. It also depends on several factors.

High-quality products require special manufacturing and modern machinery, skilled workers, and special testing services. On the other hand, low-precision items may not require high-tech and skilled labor, resulting in a significant cost difference.

But how much does labor really cost? It depends. It usually costs between $2 and $3 per part, depending on the intricacy and size of the product.

Various tests and quality control are also added to the bill. The more complex the part, the more time these tasks take, which further increases the labor costs.

Injection molding cost

What Factors Influence the Injection Molding Cost?

You are already familiar with different types of plastic injection molding costs. In this article, you will learn about a few factors that influence the major costs. When optimizing the costs, you can mainly focus on these points.

Part size and weight

The first factors that influence the cost of plastic injection molding are part size and weight. The heavier and the bigger the part, the more materials you will need. This means higher material costs, which can add up quickly.

Also, bigger parts often require larger machines, which can increase equipment costs. Bigger plastic parts, like water tanks or air conditioner casings, need special care, which also adds up to the labor costs.

Therefore, when making decisions about plastic part design, you must consider size and weight. Try to optimize the weight based on the intended use. Some plastic materials are lightweight and strong enough to handle many jobs. Although the material cost might be a little higher, it can save up many costs in production.

Part Design

Part design is another crucial factor that heavily influences plastic injection molding costs. In this case, complexity and features are the most critical option here.

Intricate designs may look astonishing but can be costlier than simply designed parts. These plastic parts often need higher mold costs and longer production times. As usual, when designs get complicated, it becomes trickier to create the molds. Conversely, simple designs are much easier to make and less prone to defects. Less complexity means fewer mistakes and lower costs.

Another factor you must consider is the assembly process. If parts fit together well, assembly is a breeze, which can cut down on labor costs. Designing with assembly in mind makes the manufacturing process easier.

Production Volume

Production volume is another big factor in determining the cost of plastic injection molding. When you produce parts, you get better costs per part. This means that the fixed costs, like mold creation, are spread out over many units, resulting in a lower cost per part.

Conversely, lower production costs can lead to higher costs. When you don’t produce enough parts, the fixed costs are not shared, and each piece can end up costing more. In this case, labor and material costs matter a lot.

Tooling costs also come into play. High-volume runs allow you to amortize the initial mold costs over a larger number of parts. Thus, the more parts you make, the more profits you can make.

Number of Cavities

The previous section already mentioned that a mold can be of two types: single and multi-cavity molds. In a single cavity, you can create only one plastic part at a time. Multi-cavity parts, on the other hand, allow you to produce multiple pieces at once.

A single-cavity mold is simple to operate, but if you require many pieces, it might become expensive. Molds with more than one hole, on the other hand, can produce many parts simultaneously. Because of this, multi-cavity molds reduce cost per unit, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.

However, it is important to note that more cavities mean more complex designs in one mold. Therefore, you need to balance the complexity with output. If production volume is high, multi-cavity molds are better. But if your part design is intricate, a single mold cavity might be a better option.

Also, maintenance should be considered here. More cavities usually need more upkeep. You will need to clean it every day before the operation. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Pick the best mold for your job.

Mold Material

Most molds are made of high-quality tool steel, a type of carbon alloy steel that lasts a long time. Tool steel is classified into numerous varieties, including HSS, D2, and A2.

HSS is ideal for cutting at high temperatures. It is normally not inexpensive, but it has a long lifespan. D2 steel is robust and wear-resistant. It costs more because of its durability. A2 steel, on the other hand, provides an excellent mix of toughness and cost. However, it costs less than D2 steel.

The plastic substance and manufacturing volume determine the proper amount of tool steel. If you plan on a large production, high-quality tool steel is required. Overall, be careful about your needs. Weigh the cost of the injection mold against the benefits. Getting the right mold material can make production go more smoothly and help you make more money.

Injection Molding Cycle Time

The injection molding processing time is an important factor in the quality of the product. It has three key parts: injection, cooling, and ejection.

The cycle time is based on how you plan to make things. Automated machines can give you a shorter cycle time. On the other hand, manual operations are much slower than those of automated machines.

Automated machines require higher upfront costs, but they save a lot of plastic injection molding costs per part in production. Manual injection molding doesn’t require a higher investment. However, it makes the process much slower, which technically increases the injection molding cost per part.

How Much Does Injection Molding Cost? A General Idea

You are already familiar with the cost of injection molding, which varies depending on several factors. Major factors are design complexity, material choice, production volume, and mold costs. To give a general idea, the following table outlines the price of each factor.

Cost Factor 50,000 Units 100,000 Units
Mold Design $500 – $3,000 $500 – $3,000
Material Cost $0.50 x 50,000 = $25,000 $0.50 x 100,000 = $50,000
Service Charge $2,500 – $5,000 $2,500 – $5,000
Injection Mold Cost $2,500 – $5,000 $2,500 – $5,000
Total Cost $30,500 – $38,000 $55,500 – $63,000
Cost per Part $0.61 – $0.76 $0.56 – $0.63

Injectino mold cost

As you can see, the more production volume there is, the less cost there is. Also, the cost of plastic injection molding varies a lot on the design of the mold, the material used, the service class, and the cost of the injection mold. Keep in mind that this table is just an example. The real price might be different depending on the type of material used and how the product is designed.

Tips on How to Optimize the Plastic Injection Molding Cost

You are already aware of the different factors influencing plastic injection molding costs. Now, you must learn how to optimize these costs. We have prepared some tips to help you on your journey.

Tip #1: Utilize DFM Analysis

DFM, or design for manufacturing, is an important term. It plays a critical role in injection molding costs. This method finds design problems early on. Using this method, you can eliminate the unnecessary part of a plastic part. This way, you can lower the chance of having to do expensive work over.

Tip #2: Simplify Design Features

Always try to create a design that is as simple as possible. The more complex the design, the costlier it will be to make the mold. Try simplifying where you can. Fewer designs also provide shorter cycle times and lower the total injection molding cost.

Tip #3: Use Universal Molds Instead of Custom Molds

Of course, custom models cost a lot. You can save a lot of money by using standard molds in this case. Once you have standard molds, you can make some design changes.

Tip #4: Choose the Right Injection Molding Material

There are numerous types of plastic, each with its advantages and disadvantages. So, choose a material that offers a fair balance of cost and performance. Avoid using too many high-end items unless absolutely required.

Tip #5: Try Insert Molds

Metals can be added to plastic parts to reduce their weight. This guarantees that they are durable and cost-effective.

Tip #6: Minimize the Number of Cavities in Molds

Too many holes can be a mess. Not only do they cost more to grow, but they also need a lot of upkeep. So, if your output volume allows, keep it simple.

Tip #7: Design Self-Mating Parts

You can also make your plastic parts self-mating to cut costs. This feature generally reduces assembly time and costs. The parts snap or fit together without requiring extra components or fasteners.

Rapid Injection Molding at Sincere Tech

Sincere Tech is a leading manufacturer of high-quality injection molding parts and specializes in rapid injection molding. The company cares most about quality and speed. Modern technology is used in the workplace to ensure the product is accurate. This business also promises to serve on time.

Sincere Tech has many services to choose from. They help with unique molding, prototyping, and production. Their services are not limited to plastics; you can also get various die-casting services. Therefore, any type of product, including plastic and metal parts, can easily be manufactured or assembled at the Sincere Tech factory.

Summary

Let’s wrap everything up! Injection molding is easy to use to make a lot of plastic parts at once. It works quickly and doesn’t cost much. Still, many things affect the cost of injection molding.

This piece discussed the different kinds of plastic injection molding costs and the main factors that determine them. Design, molding, material, equipment, and service charge are five crucial types here. Product design, complexity, and size heavily influence these costs. Technically, the production volume and mold cavities also heavily affect these injection molding costs.

The article also introduced a few tips that could help you optimize on how much does injection molding cost. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our customer service staff. We are committed to offering excellent customer service.

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Part Thickness Design

injection molding thick wall

How to save injection molding cost by Part thickness design reduction

By do the DFM (Design For Manufacturing) report and mold flow analysis to keep part thickness down to the minimum but having the same strength, we have reduced cooling times by as much as 31 seconds!  As you can see by the table below example to show you how much you could save your injection molding cost,  it doesn’t take a big annual volume for the savings to add up.

Attribute Value
Volume of Plastic Reduced .06  Lbs.
Cost / Pound of Plastic $ 5.34
Material Savings / part $ .32
Cycle Time Reduction 15 seconds
Machine Cost / Hour $60
Production cost saved / part $.25
Annual Part Volume 10,000
Total Annual Savings $5,700

Theory

It has been shown that cooling time averages about 50% of the molding cycle for a typical plastic molded part. The additional 50% of the time consists of the filling, packing, and part ejection phases, which do not vary significantly from mold to mold. The cooling phase is the only phase that has any degree of variability.  This is because the cooling of a molded part is determined by the rate of mold heat removal.  Heat removal is impacted by many factors. Factors include the melt temperature, cooling channels design,  part thickness, and the material and mold steel’s thermal capabilities.

Part Thickness design

Out of all the factors, the part wall thickness is the easiest to impact. In short, the thinner the part, the faster the cycle time, the more molded parts per hour get made. Since the relationship of part thickness to cooling time is exponential, a small thickness reduction yields big cooling time reductions and big savings.

As stated on the Injection Pressure page, part thickness reductions increase the injection pressure. The fundamental limit of how thin you can make the part is the machines pressure capability assuming that the part will still meet design intent with a thinner wall.

Without the use of mold flow analysis the part thickness is usually designed so that it errors on the thick “safe” side to avoid fill problems.  However, with mold flow analysis, the thickness of the part can be iteratively reduced until the pressure reaches safe level (typically 17,000 psi). The process is usually complimented by performing a stress analysis to verify that the thinner walled part still meets the products design intent.  The FEA process usually adds ribs and gussets  to preserve the strength while using thinner walls.

If We have any plastic project that is ready to start make the plastic mold and massive production, you are welcome to send us, we will check the part design issues for you and send you a price for your reference.

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How To Save Injection Molding Cost By Multiple Cavity Mold

plastic cup mold

How To Save Injection Molding Cost By Multiple Cavity Mold

When you have a project, then you may need plastic injection molded parts. The first thing you need to do is find a plastic mold company to make mold & molded parts, but before starting this, I think you need to check injection molding cost and mold cost in advance for your investment budget. Multi-cavity injection molding will be one of the best ways to save unit production cost.

Like other things, there is no one solution that is suitable for all of the projects. Below are some suggestions on how to save injection molding cost. There are both advantages and disadvantages; by reading this, you could choose the one based on your project requirements.

What is multi cavity injection molding

Multi-cavity injection molding is typically used when high-volume production of identical parts is needed. It allows for the efficient production of multiple parts in a single cycle, which can significantly increase production rates and reduce the cost per part. Additionally, using a multi-cavity mold can also help to reduce the overall cost of the mold itself.

Multiple cavity mold means the number of cavities greater than one, which means that it has more than one part in an injection mold. It is usually professional to say cavity, One cavity or two cavities, for example, 8 cavity mold, means one molding cycle to mold 8 parts with the 99% same part feature, dimension, shape, size, etc.

Some examples of products that may be produced using multi-cavity injection molding include automotive parts, electronic components, toys, and household items. It is also commonly used in the production of medical devices, personal care products, and packaging.

multiple cavity mold

24 multiple cavity mold

When do we need Multiple Cavity Mold?

There are some factors to consider before starting to make your plastic mold.
1, the size of the plasatic product,
2. The number of the plastic products requirement
3. The size of the machine; if you only buy plastic molded parts, then you do not need to care about this point; your plastic molding supplier will handle this for you.

If the size of the product is small, such as the computer keyboard button, usually make 24 or 48 Multiple Cavity Mold, you must say why not make 30 or 40? This is because of the balance mold layout and material filling balance, especially when you use cold runner mold. So normally multi-cavity mold is 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 96 cavities are better options.

When we make multiple cavity mold and the cavities are more than 24, we normally suggest making hot runner mold, one part per hot drop. Of course, this will be a high cost for the injection mold. In that case, we suggest at least using six hot runners transferring to the cold runner, which means four cavities per hot drop. This could save the cycle time and keep the best quality of injection molding parts.

The advantages of Multiple Cavity Mold

The reason we make multi-cavity molds is simple: we need to save production unit cost for each plastic molded part. Multi-cavity molds have several advantages over single-cavity molds in injection molding:

  1. Increased production efficiency: By producing multiple identical parts in a single cycle, Multiple Cavity Mold can significantly increase production rates and reduce the overall production time.
  2. Reduced cost per part: Multiple cavity molds can produce multiple identical parts at a lower cost per part than single cavity molds.
  3. Reduced tooling costs: Since multi-cavity molds require only one tool, the overall cost of the mold is typically lower than that of multiple single-cavity molds.
  4. Better consistency: By producing multiple identical parts in a single cycle, multi-cavity molds can improve the consistency of the final product, reducing the need for rework or scrap.
  5. Reduced labor costs: Multi-cavity molds require less labor to operate than multiple single-cavity molds, as the operator only needs to monitor one machine.
  6. Reduced material consumption: By producing multiple parts in a single cycle, multi-cavity molds can also reduce the amount of raw material required to produce the final product.
  7. Improve part quality: Due to the consistency in the process and the precision of the machinery, multi-cavity molds can produce parts with tighter tolerances and a better surface finish.

The disadvantages of multi cavity mold

We all know that all of the customers prefer the multiple cavity mold since this can save lots of production cost, but there are other factors you need to think about before making a decision, because making plastic mold is not cheaper; making multi-cavity mold is more expensive than single cavity mold, sometimes double or even three times more expensive than single cavity or two-cavity mold.

For example, if you make 24 cavity mold, then you at least need 6 hot runner drops for the mold; the pure hot runner cost is around USD 5400 (YUDO brand); if you use a China local brand of hot runner, you still need USD 3000, and this cost some times is enough to make 2 cavities of cold runner mold. Since there are many cavities in one mold, the mold manufacturing cost is higher than the less cavity mold as well; this is another cost, so the total cost is two or three times more.

  1. Higher initial cost: The initial cost of a multi-cavity mold can be higher than that of a single cavity mold, especially for complex designs.
  2. Greater complexity: Multi-cavity molds are more complex than single-cavity molds and require more precise machining and design. This can lead to longer lead times for tooling and an increased risk of defects.
  3. Higher maintenance costs: Due to the complexity of the mold and the increased number of moving parts, multi-cavity molds may require more maintenance and repairs than single-cavity molds.
  4. Greater risk of defects: With multiple cavities, the risk of defects is greater, as a problem in one cavity can affect multiple parts.
  5. Increased cycle time: Multi-cavity molds have longer cycle times than single-cavity molds as the machine has to fill multiple cavities at once.
  6. Greater potential for warpage: multi-cavity molds have to be designed to account for the potential warpage that can occur during the cooling phase of the injection molding process.
  7. Increased risk of sink marks: As the material cools, it will shrink. If the mold design is not optimized for multi-cavity, sink marks may appear on the surface of the parts.
  8. Increased risk of flash: flash is the excess material that is extruded from the mold. Multi-cavity molds can be more prone to flash than single-cavity molds, as the pressure and flow rate of the material are increased to fill multiple cavities.

injection molding wall thickness

When do you need multiple cavity mold

There is some simple suggestion: when do you need to make single cavity mold (may have 2 cavities at the fist) and when should you make multi-cavity mold, like 8 cavity mold, 16 cavity mold, or more? When you are sure that you will need the plastic parts more than one million or at least 0.5 million, then going to 8 or more mold cavities will surely save cost for you.

You may need to pay more for plastic mold manufacturing, but compared to the production cost you are going to save, this injection mold cost is insignificant because you will save 10 times more than this injection mold cost.

If you are not sure how many plastic molding parts are needed at the first, or if this is depending on your business market, then we suggest using the 2 cavity mold at first, because this can save the plastic mold cost for you in advance. After you open your market and the requirement of injection molded parts increases, you can still save injection molding cost by making new multiple cavity mold.

You use the existing mold to produce the parts at the same time and make a new multi-cavity mold; this will not have a delay as well. After the multiple cavity mold is finished, you only need to run this multi-cavity mold, but if the quantity requirements are not so high, then you use the current molds to produce, so you still have good profits with less investment (compare to make multi-cavity mold at the beginning).

When do you need single cavity mold

A single-cavity mold is a type of mold used in the injection molding process. It consists of a single cavity or impression that forms the desired shape of the plastic part. This type of mold is used when the production volume is low or when the part design is complex and requires more attention to detail.

Advantages of using a single-cavity mold include:

  1. Flexibility: Single-cavity molds allow for more flexibility in terms of part design and material selection. Each cavity can be customized to meet specific requirements.
  2. Precision: With only one cavity to focus on, manufacturers can pay more attention to detail and ensure higher precision in the molding process. This is particularly important for intricate or complex part designs.
  3. Cost-effective for low volume production: Single-cavity molds are cost-effective for low volume production runs. They have lower initial tooling costs compared to multi-cavity molds and are more suitable when the production quantity is small.
  4. Material compatibility: Single-cavity molds are ideal when different materials or processes are required for each part. This allows for the production of diverse parts with varying material properties.

A single-cavity mold is typically needed when you require a small quantity of parts or when the part design is complex and requires more time and precision to manufacture. It is also used when the part size is large and cannot be accommodated in a multi-cavity mold. Additionally, a single-cavity mold may be preferred when the cost of manufacturing multiple cavities is not justifiable or when the part design requires different materials or processes for each cavity.

What do you think? By reading above, I assume you have an idea on how to save injection molding costs for your project.

If you have any project in hand that needs to make injection mold for your business, you are welcome to contact us. We will give you some good suggestions and ideas to help you spend minimum investment on plastic mold cost and open your market rapidly.

Sincere Tech is one of the top 10 mold manufacturers in China and offers custom plastic molds, injection molding manufacturing, die casting,prototypese, machining, and many moreservices.  As one of the best injection mold suppliers in China, we pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence.

Below are a few of the services we offer:

  1. Rapid Prototyping: We offer rapid prototyping services to quickly transform your concepts into live parts, allowing for iterative design improvements and accelerated product development. Please go to the rapid prototyping service page to know more.
  2. Precision CNC Machining: Our advanced tooling equipment enables us to make high-quality plastic molds and machining components with tight tolerances, ensuring consistency and precision in your injection-molded products. Please go to the precision CNC machining page to know more.
  3. Overmolding: We specialize in overmolding, which allows for the combination of multiple materials or components, resulting in enhanced functionality, aesthetics, and durability.
  4. Insert Molding: Our expertise in insert molding enables us to securely encapsulate inserts within the molded parts, facilitating efficient assembly and enhancing product performance.
  5. Two-Shot Molding: With two-shot molding, we can produce complex, multi-material components in a single operation, reducing assembly requirements and enhancing design possibilities.
  6. Value-Added Services: In addition to injection molding, we offer a range of value-added services, including product assembly, packaging, and logistics support, streamlining your supply chain and reducing costs.
  7. Product assembly Service: We offer all in one service from part design, production, until delivery, if you need products assembly service in China, we will be one the best options for you.

Not limited to below but more services we offer, welcome to contact us for your custom injection molding needs (no matter multiple cavity mold or single cavity mold).

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How Much Does Injection Molding Cost

Custom Molded Products

How Much Does Injection Molding Cost?

The most frequently asked questions in the molding industry are, “How much does plastic injection molding cost?” and “How much does an injection mold cost?” Well, the answer to those questions largely depends on several factors, especially given that plastic mold production has the highest upfront cost of all injection molding types.

If you’ve been wondering about the same thing and are struggling to find the right answer, you’ve come to the right place. This post will delve deeply into the variables that determine the cost of plastic injection molding and the cost of producing the plastic molding parts. By tackling the underlying factors, it will be simple to estimate the expected cost. If you are still unsure about the cost of your plastic injection molding project, you are welcome to send us your 3D drawing, plastic materials, and quantity of parts. We will quote you a price within 24 hours, which will include the complete injection mold cost, injection molding cost, packing cost, and delivery cost.

How Much Does Injection Molding Cost

Basic of injection molding

Injection molding is a widely used manufacturing process that involves injecting molten material into a mold cavity to create complex and precise parts. If you need injection molding parts, it’s crucial to understand the mold and injection molding cost. By gaining insights into the factors that influence injection molding cost and implementing effective cost reduction strategies, businesses can optimize their production and maximize profitability.

If you are searching for plastic molding parts for your upcoming project, the most crucial aspect to consider is the cost of the plastic mold and injection molding components. Your project’s success or failure hinges on these costs. Make sure to thoroughly review these costs before initiating a new project, as failure can result in significant financial and time losses. Let me share some ideas to help you understand the cost of plastic molds and plastic injection molding. This will save you time when developing your new products.

Another easy way to understand the costs for your new project is to send us your 3D part design or sample pictures, along with your specific requirements, such as the materials needed for each part. Estimate the number of parts per time. Do you have any specific requirements for the visible surface? We will provide you with the most competitive price for mold and unit injection molding parts, starting as low as $500 for the mold and as low as $0.005 for the injection-molded parts. You are welcome to use this as a reference for your product and market research.

Various factors influence the cost of injection molding.

There are a variety of factors that can affect the cost of plastic injection molding. These factors include the part’s features, weight and size, type of plastic resin, the number of plastic parts produced each time, and the annual production volume. Each of these factors can impact the plastic injection molding cost and will affect the injection mold cost as well.

Determine the number of cavities and the volume of your mold.

When determining the cost of plastic injection molding, it’s crucial to consider the number of parts produced and the production volume. Producing a small batch of parts may be more expensive on a per-unit basis than producing a larger volume of parts. Additionally, larger production volumes may allow for economies of scale, resulting in lower production costs per piece.

There is a close correlation between the number of cavities in your mold and their cost. A high number of cavities in the mold indicates a longer manufacturing time and the need for additional injection molding tooling cost. The lower the number of cavities in each mold, the lower the pressing time, and the lower the cost of manufacturing for each injection mold.

Part Design Complexity

The part geometry is one of the primary factors that can affect the plastic injection molding cost, because this will increase the initial mold cost. Tight tolerances or intricate geometries necessitate additional time and machining expenses, leading to elevated production costs. Additionally, parts that require special features such as undercuts, threads, or inserts will also increase the mold cost of manufacturing. The size and weight of the part can also have an impact on the plastic injection molding cost. Larger parts necessitate more plastic material, longer cycle times, and a larger tonnage of injection mold machines, all of which can increase overall production costs. Additionally, larger part sizes need larger mold sizes, which will increase mold manufacturing costs.

A more complex part design leads to a more complex mold, which in turn increases the cost of the plastic mold. Choosing a less complex part design could significantly lower your costs. However, it is important to keep in mind the factors that determine design complexity. These factors include surface finishing, fine detailing, and the use of undercuts. You can always seek expert advice to help you choose a design that won’t eat into your budget unnecessarily.

Type of plastic part material

The type of plastic material used for plastic injection molding parts can also have an impact on production costs. Different types of plastics have different costs, with some materials more expensive than others. Additionally, some special materials may cost 5–10 times more than the normal plastic material, so choosing the material is important to save the overall injection molding cost.

There are a number of variables that will influence the cost of plastic injection molding based on your resin choice. Ranging from the quantity, grade, and resin availability to whether the resin requires extreme molding temperatures, all these will affect the overall upfront cost. For example, the presence of abrasive materials in the resin, such as glass or minerals, can impact mold maintenance costs.

This may seem like a straightforward consideration, given that we’re discussing plastic injection molding, which requires only plastic parts. However, there are numerous types of plastic available, including PP, PS, PET, PVC, and HDPE, to name a few. Each type comes with different prices depending on the material and part size. Large parts will require similar large molds and additional material, which in turn will affect the time taken for machining. All of these variables will impact the overall cost for plastic injection molding.

Plastic Injection Molding Cost Guiding Tips

There are roughly four parts of cost for injection molding: plastic material cost, molding production cost, plastic mold cost, part color cost, and packing cost. Let us explain those four mean costs one by one.

Plastic Material Cost

First, the weight of the required material and its unit price determine the plastic raw material cost, which in turn affects the plastic injection molding cost. The weight of the material is determined by the part volume and material density; however, the part’s maximum wall thickness can also play a role. The weight of material that is required includes the material that fills the channels of the mold.

The thickness of the part design largely determines the size of those channels and, consequently, the quantity of raw material. The choice of material also influences the cost of the injection molding part; different types of plastic material have varying prices. For instance, the cost of PP injection molding material differs significantly from that of ABS injection molding material. Therefore, the material cost for a plastic molded product comprises two components: the weight of the material and the type of material used for the plastic molding part.

Injection molding materials

Injection Molding Processing cost

Second, the injection molding machine process cost will affect the plastic injection molding cost; it is primarily calculated from the hourly rate and the cycle time. Understanding how the part design influences molding machine selection is crucial, as the hourly rate directly correlates with the tonnage of the injection molding machine in use. The machine typically references injection molding machines for the clamping force they provide. The projected area of the part and the pressure of the material injection determine the required clamping force.

Therefore, a larger part will require a larger clamping force and, hence, a more expensive molding machine. Also, certain materials with high injection pressures may require higher tonnage machines. The size of the part must also comply with other machine specifications, such as clamp stroke, platen size, and shot capacity. The cycle time, which includes the injection time, cooling time, and resetting time, will influence the cost of plastic injection molding.

Reducing any of these times will lower the production cost. You can reduce the injection time by reducing the maximum wall thickness and part volume. Lower wall thicknesses also reduce the cooling time, as they require less time to cool completely. The cooling time is also influenced by several of the material’s thermodynamic properties. Finally, the resetting time is dependent on the machine and part size. A larger injection molding part will require larger motions from the machine to open, close, and eject the part, and a larger machine requires more time to perform these operations.

Injection Plastic Mold Cost

Third, the plastic injection mold cost has two main components: the mold base and the machining of the cavities. The size of the part’s envelope and design feature primarily determine the mold base’s cost. A larger plastic injection-molded part requires a larger, more expensive mold base. The complex part design requires complex plastic injection molds, which will affect the injection mold cost.

Nearly every aspect of the part’s geometry influences the cost of machining the cavities. Complex plastic mold cavities necessitate significant CNC machining expenses and time, which in turn raises the cost of the plastic injection mold. The primary cost driver is the size of the cavity that must be machined, measured by the projected area of the cavity (equal to the projected area of the part and projected holes) and its depth. Any other elements that will require additional machining time will add to the cost, including the feature count, parting surface, side-cores, lifters, unscrewing devices, tolerance, and surface roughness.

The number of parts also affects the cost of the plastic injection mold. A larger production quantity will require a higher-class injection mold that will not wear as quickly. The stronger mold material results in a higher mold base cost and more machining time. One final factor to consider is the number of side-action directions, which can have an indirect impact on the cost of plastic injection molding. The number of side-cores used determines the additional cost.

However, the number of directions may limit the number of cavities the mold can accommodate. For example, the injection mold for a part that requires three side-action directions can only contain two cavities. While adding more cavities may not directly increase costs, it could potentially lead to further savings.

Injectino mold cost

Injection molding Color Cost

Forth, the color of the injection molding also affects the cost of the plastic injection molding product. Generally, it doesn’t have a significant impact, but it still depends on the specific part color you require. For example, if you need white injection molding parts, the cost will be 10% higher than another color; if you require clear color (clear plastic injection molding) molding parts, the cost will be 15–25% higher than normal color molded parts.

If you require white color injection molding parts, the molding shop must thoroughly clean the barrel, preventing any other color from entering the injection unit and material. This process not only consumes time and material, but also increases the waste rate, which is why the cost of white plastic molded parts is slightly higher than other colors.

When it comes to producing transparent injection molding parts such as PC, PMMA, or PS, a molding shop must utilize a specialized injection unit and a high-quality injection molding machine. This is necessary because any minor defects in the transparent molding parts can easily be detected. So you need to make the best quality molding parts, the waste rate is higher, and you need to use the high-tech injection molding machine, and all of those are more costly than normal molding production.

Injection molding packing cost

If your injection molded parts have special packing requriement, then there will be additional cost as well, small size of molding part will be less packing cost than big size of injection molded parts, special packing materials will increase the packing cost as well, so you need think about about how to pack your injection molded products when you order the molded parts from your plastic molding supplier.

Plastic injection molding cost estimation method

1. Feature-based estimation

For plastic molding production quantities (over 10,000 units), this feature-based cost estimator allows for the use of more durable and costly injection molding tooling due to its minimal impact on the per-part cost. We estimate the material cost based on the part geometry and current material prices. For the production cost, we choose a compatible injection molding machine from a database of over 50 machines and estimate the cycle time based on the part geometry, material properties, and machine specifications.

We select a suitable mold base for the injection molding tooling cost based on standard mold dimensions and mold classes and estimate the required mold machining based on the part geometry and other user specifications. We calculate these three costs (material, production, and tooling) for 4 different cavity arrangements (1, 2, 4, and 8 cavities), and provide the most cost-effective option.

2. Estimate the cost of low volume injection molding.

This feature-based cost estimator is for the injection molding of low volumes (under 10,000 units), where rapid tooling methods (high-speed machining of Class 104 molds) are used to create the mold due to the large impact on the per-part cost. We estimate the material cost based on the part geometry and current material prices. We select a compatible injection molding machine from a database of over 50 machines for the production cost, and estimate the cycle time based on the part geometry, material properties, and machine specifications.

Using standard mold dimensions, we select a suitable mold base for the plastic tooling cost, and estimate the required mold machining based on the part geometry and other user specifications. We calculate these three costs (material, production, and tooling) for 4 different cavity arrangements (1, 2, 4, and 8 cavities), and provide the most cost-effective option.

3. Standard estimate

This standard plastic injection molding cost estimator does not require any part geometry, but more process parameter inputs are required to calculate a more accurate estimate. We estimate the material cost using the part and runner volumes, an updated material database with pricing, and customizable process parameters. You must specify the cycle time, machine rate, and labor rates for the production cost. We provide a detailed cost breakdown for the material, production, and tooling costs after adding the mold cost.

4. Plastic mold cost estimate

This feature-based cost estimator calculates the mold cost for plastic molding. We select a suitable mold base using standard mold dimensions, taking into account the part geometry and mold requirements, such as the number of cavities. We estimate the necessary mold machining for the chosen SPI mold class, and opt for rapid plastic tooling techniques for a Class 104 mold or other low volume products. Go to injection mold cost page to know more.

I trust that this information will provide you with a clear understanding of the costs associated with your project. If you’re ready to begin your plastic injection molding project, please feel free to send us your requirements for a quotation. We will provide you with a comprehensive quote for the mold and molding price, ensuring you have a comprehensive plan for your project.

plastic mold

 

 

Strategies for reducing the cost of injection molding

When creating an injection mold for a plastic part, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, we must create a Design for Manufacture (DFM) report for the part design to ensure there are no significant issues. Secondly, we need to identify potential changes that could lower the mold cost without compromising its functionality. Some designers may find it difficult or impossible to create the mold, which is why we need to create a DFM analysis report. As we all know, reducing the cost of the injection mold and molding is crucial for boosting sales and profits.

Below, we will list some strategies to reduce injection mold and molding costs:

Cost reduction is a critical aspect of injection molding that can significantly impact a company’s profitability. Implementing effective cost reduction strategies can help businesses optimize their manufacturing processes and reduce expenses without compromising quality. Here are some cost reduction strategies to consider:

  1. Material Selection: Choosing cost-effective materials is a beneficial way to reduce injection molding costs. Typically, we utilize materials such as ABS, PA6, and PC/ABS for our projects, but it’s crucial to consider their durability. PP and PE are other cost-effective materials for some suitable projects. Therefore, choosing the right material for your project is crucial; if you’re uncertain about the best option, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll be pleased to offer our recommendations.
  2. Part Design Optimization: It is important to improve the part design so that it is both manufacturable and cost-effective. Simplifying part geometries, minimizing undercuts, and reducing wall thickness can help lower production costs without compromising functionality. When making a DFM analysis report based on this, you will have some suggestions for design improvement.
  3. Injection molding Tooling Optimization: When embarking on a new project, the cost of injection molding tooling is a crucial consideration, as the initial cost of creating injection molds can be substantial. Even if you only need 100 pieces of injection-molded parts, lowering the cost of the injection mold will help you reduce your tooling investment.
    Once the mold design is finished, all of the team should have a meeting to check if there are any possible ways to simplify the mold manufacturing cost. Those include reducing the slider action, reducing the mold base and caivity size, simplifying the parting line, etc.
  4. Automating injection molding processes: Using automated or robot production can help reduce labor costs and increase production efficiency. By implementing automation technologies such as robotics and sensors, businesses can optimize production and reduce expenses associated with manual labor.

Final summsrize:

We have some simple suggestions on how to reduce the injection mold and molding cost. When you have a small volume of injection molding parts, the first idea is to think about how to reduce the injection mold cost, because the simplest injection mold cost will be at least a few hundred dollars. If you only need a few thousand plastic parts, then trying to save the mold cost will be more helpful.

If you have plastic parts that will need millions of parts in the future, then the first idea is to think about how to reduce the injection molding cost. For high-volume injection molding, unit molding cost is critical for businesses aiming to optimize their manufacturing processes and maximize profitability.

If you have a plastic project in mind and would like to know the cost of injection molding, feel free to send us your requirements for a quotation. Sincere Tech is regarded as one of the top 10 leading plastic mold companies in China. We offer a wide range of custom plastic injection molds, die casting molds, metal parts, CNC machining, surface finishing, and mold components.

Quality is of the utmost importance to us. To make sure we make high-quality molds, we will use a CMM measuring machine to measure all of the mold components, electrodes, and dimensions according to a 2D drawing. To make sure all of the dimensions are within the tolerance, we will test the function of parts and materials to make sure that the final part will meet your requirements. if not quite clear, there is another page related to injection molding cost.

Our capabilities include:

  1. Gas-assist injection molding: We have rich experience in making gas-assist injection molding; when you have this type of mold, welcome to contact us.
  2. Precision CNC machining: Our advanced CNC machines enable us to create high-quality mold components with tight tolerances; this will currently ensure tolerance and precision in the injection-molded products.
  3. Overmolding and Two-Shot Molding: We make overmolding and two-shot injection molding for some handle tools; some of the overmoling is used in the die casting molds as well. Contact us for a quote for your overmolding project.
  4. Insert Molding: Insert molding is similar to overmolding but will be a little different; insert molding normally uses metal parts as substrate, and overmolding uses plastic parts as substrate.
  5. Acrylic injection molding or polycarbonate injection molding: PMMA injection molding and polycarbonate injection molding require special molding equipment. We have over 18 years of experience in making PMMA and polycarbonate injection molding, such as thicker wall clear injection molding parts made by acrylic or polycarbonate
  6. Value-Added Services: In addition to injection molding, die casting, and machining, we offer a range of value-added services, including product silkscreen, painting, anodizing, powder coating, e-coating, assembly, testing, certificate, packaging, and logistics support, streamlining your supply chain and reducing costs.

Partner with Sincere Tech China Mold Maker for your custom injection molding, die casting, and machining needs; we will offer you the best quality and fast lead time. Contact us now to get a quotation on injection molding costs.

General Questions:

Q1. Is injection molding expensive?

The complexity and volume of production determine how much injection molding will cost. Despite its high cost, injection molding proves to be quite economical when large quantities of parts with precise dimensional accuracy are required.

Q2. How much does a plastic injection mold cost?

Injection mold costs range from $300 to $100,000, depending on the type of material, level of mold complexity, production volume, and part design.

Q3: How long to make an injection molding project?

This depends on the part size and design, but the first sample will take around 4-5 weeks. Once you approve the sample, we will start to produce the injection molding parts. The lead time will depend on your quantity of molding parts.

Q4: How can I calculate the cost of an injection mold and injection molding?

It is simple to get those costs for your project; you can send us your 3D drawing (stp or IGS format file), requirements for quality parts, and plastic materials, and then we could send you the price in 24 hours.

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