The short answer: plastic injection molds cost anywhere between $100 for a 3D printed low-volume injection mold to $100,000+ for a complex multi-cavity steel mold for high-volume production, which generally represents the most significant fixed start-up cost in injection molding.

Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet called thermoplastic is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. Thermoforming uses several different types of molds and processes in order to achieve the final product.

It is the plastic injection manufacturer’s job to construct the perfect mold and help clients choose the right material. The plastic injection manufacturer is also responsible for designing and implementing a streamlined, cost-effective production process.

Leading Injection Molded Plastics Manufacturers

• GSH Industries, Inc. Cleveland, OH | 440-238-3009.
• MSI Mold. Shelby Township, MI | 248-275-1978.
• Britech Industries. Stuart, FL | 772-286-9278.
• Nicolet Plastics. Mountain, WI | 715-276-4200.
• Hi-Rel Plastics & Molding. Riverside, CA | 951-354-0258.
• Molded Devices, Inc.

Even a small injection molding machine along with its support equipment will cost near $100,000 and very large machines will cost millions of dollars.

The Ten Most Common Plastic Injection Molding Materials

• acrylic (PMMA)
• acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
• nylon polyamide (PA)
• polycarbonate (PC)
• polyethyelene (PE)
• polyoxymethylene (POM)
• polypropylene (PP)
• polystyrene (PS)

Injection molds, which are usually made from steel, contain cavities that will form the parts. Melted plastic is injected into the mold, filling the cavities. The mold is cooled, and the parts are ejected by pins. This process is similar to a jello mold which is filled then cooled to create the final product.

While a typical electric machine may consume about 2.55 kWh during an injection molding process, hydraulic machines may consume 5.12 kWh. They require higher temperatures for molding and more time for cooling, and they’re not ideal for clean rooms because of the risk of fluid leakage.

There are several reasons why many companies choose to use plastic injection molding. The most popular reasons include; the overall costs are lower, higher efficiency, and the ability to use multiple plastic types.

The Types of Plastic Molding. The most popular techniques in plastic molding are rotational molding, injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, extrusion molding, and thermoforming. We’ll cover all these techniques in this guide to help you discover the best process to make your part or product.

Plastic Injection Molding Basics. Injection molding is a process of “injecting” or flowing liquefied plastic resin into a mold. The resin will chemically cure or cool into a hard or rigid plastic object.

What Does a Plastic Injection Mold Maker Do? As a plastic injection mold maker, your job is to operate and monitor mold machines . This involves setting the machine up, running it, testing molds to ensure they meet specifications, modifying molds as needed, and inspecting finished products. Plastic injection mold makers also use shop equipment and tools to finish molded polymers, perform maintenance on molding machines, select materials to use, and schedule jobs to meet quoted hours and