Top 10 Plastic Injection Molding Questions

Plastic injection molding is the most popular process for manufacturing plastic parts. This process involves molten material which is injected into a mold to create a product. Our in-house molders provide both the design and manufacturing of these products. 

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1. What determines the cost of plastic molding?
   The cost of injection molding is determined by a number of factors such as; the number of cavities, the mold itself, complexity of parts, etc. The actual mold itself is usually the most expensive upfront cost. Additionally, the fewer number of cavities will lower your upfront cost and vice versa. We’re dedicated to providing customers with quality service at a lower cost
2. What sized businesses do you serve?
   When researching molding manufacturing companies it’s important to keep in mind your volume requirements and make sure they match that of the company you work with. The Toolroom is equipped to handle volume from small to large businesses. No matter the size of your project, we can help
3. What certifications should I look for when choosing a molder?
   Certifications are a great way to determine which molder is right for you. They show which businesses are at the top of the industry. At the Toolroom we are dedicated to providing the best services to our customers and this includes having the proper qualifications. When choosing a manufacturer, it’s important to research their current certifications to ensure you are getting quality manufacturing.
4. Should I buy my parts in the US or overseas?
   While working with a manufacturer overseas or even moving your business overseas will help save on up-front costs, working with a local manufacturer has numerous benefits. Choosing a local manufacturer is a great way to ensure open lines of communication during the course of your project. Choosing a manufacturer in the United States and more importantly, a local manufacturer has great long term effects in terms of cost and project turn-around time.
5. How long does it take to build a mold?
   Creating a plastic injection mold can take anywhere from 5-12 weeks. The complexity of each project will determine the turn-around time.
6. Can I get a mold warranty?
   Many mold manufacturers offer limited Lifetime Warranty for their molds. This ensures that if your project should need fixing, it can be done at no charge.
7. What type of material or resin is needed?
   Picking the right materials for your project, can a stressful task as there are hundreds of different products to choose from. Below are the 5 most common resins that can be used for injection molding:
   • ABS
   • Celcon
   • Polypropylene
   • HIPS
   • LDPE
8. What types of custom-built plastic injection molds are out there?
   There are several different plastic injection moldings available in the marketplace to fit your needs. The Toolroom has several custom-built moldings to choose from:
   • Unscrewing Molds
   • Two Shot Molds
   • Prototype Molds
   • Multi-Cavity Molds
   • Insert Molds
   • Stack Molds
9. What does the molding process look like?
   Here at The Toolroom we have a creative system in place to help guide you through every step of the injection molding process.
   • Send us the 3D CAD model along with all the mold requirements for your product
   • We will provide you with a quote
   • You will receive one-two reviews of your project design
   • Once we have your approval, the manufacturing process will start
   • After the molding process is complete, we will test run your product
10. What do I do if I already have an injection mold?
    If you already have an injection mold made, you will need to find a company that is also able to produce plastic parts. Luckily, The Toolroom is equipped with experts to help you develop any plastic product you made need.

Custom Plastic Injection Molding Basics

Plastic injection molding has become a standard manufacturing process in virtually every industry. Used in scenarios demanding high-volume, mass production of various industrial components and parts, plastic injection molding from Abtec Inc. provides a customizable solution for virtually any industry or application need.

After years of experience in the industry, our team has heard virtually every question a customer could ask. Ranging from the basics, including the process of plastic injection molding and its benefits, to the specifics, such as mold production and secondary services, our team is prepared to answer any question that comes across their desk.

To help you make an informed decision on your plastic injection molding project, we’ve outlined some of the most common questions – and their answers – below.

What is plastic injection molding?

Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process that produces parts through the heat-based injection of molten plastic materials into a mold. The molten plastic then hardens, thus creating a component or part with the exact shape and specifications of the hollow mold.

This process is used to produce high volumes of parts without sacrificing manufacturing accuracy or speed – and its benefits are catching on. In fact, the global injection molding market was valued at $283.54 billion in , and demand is still on the rise.

Why use injection molding for my product?

Plastic injection molding offers unmatched versatility; plastic parts can be used across virtually any industry. The most common plastic injection molding applications are typically found in the packaging, consumables, electronics, automotive & transportation, construction, and medical device industries.

How do I know if injection molding is the right process for my product?

This depends on your product – specifically, its design, purpose and anticipated production cycle. Your budgetary considerations will also be a factor. With that in mind, components with more complex geometries and a highly repetitive manufacturing process are excellent candidates for injection molding.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of custom plastic injection molding. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

How do you mold plastic?

In short, plastic injection molding works by melting the plastic, which is then subsequently exposed to high pressure and injected directly into a mold. Once the material has cooled, it will become solid and ready for release.

How does a plastic injection mold work?

First, the mold is inserted into an injection molding machine. The machine’s clamping tools ensure that it remains closed during the molding. Next, plastic is injected into the machine in form of pellets or granules and is heated until it liquefies. While under pressure, the plastic is fed into the mold, still being held within the molding machine. Once the liquid inside the mold cools, the solid-plastic product or component is ready for use.

What kind of plastics can I use?

The most common material for plastic injection molding is thermoplastic, a polymer which becomes moldable when exposed to a specific temperature and solidifies when cooled. Check out our materials page for a full listing.

How long does it take to build a mold?

Abtec’s custom tooling can produce even the most intricate molds within a limited timeframe while maintaining cost efficiency. The production timeline really depends on your specific needs, ranging from short-term aluminum tooling to the manufacturing of millions of components.

Does Abtec offer short or long production runs?

Abtec offers both high and low volume production runs for custom products at any scale. Our industry experience and state of the art, in-house technology enables us to go beyond typical custom molding and make an entire production process both efficient and scalable.

What secondary services are offered on my injection molded product?

Abtec Inc. handles injection molding part assembly with ease. With the help of the single sourced approach, these secondary services shorten the time in which you can get your hands on a fully functional and customized product.

We can fulfill as many services as you’d like from our wide range of secondary options including assembly, milling, drilling, CNC machining, painting, tapping, hot stamping, heat staking, heat insertion, ultrasonic welding, ultrasonic inserting, trimming, sorting and special packaging.

How do I get started?

Abtec Inc. manufactures custom injection molds and supports tooling across all design, development, and production stages. Using more than 100 years of combined expertise, our team goes beyond established best industry practices to enhance the entire process using the latest technology. Abtec accepts a variety of CAD formats and will even work from drawings, sketches, models or pre-existing parts.

Are you interested in learning more about automotive injection molding? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!