A Guide to Plastic Molding – Manufacturing and Process.

Plastic molding generally refers to plastic injection molding. This process is used to create plastic parts by injecting molten plastic into a metallic mold. After the plastic cools, the mold is opened, and the newly formed plastic part is released. 

Common uses of plastic injection molding

Injection molding is an ideal solution for a number of manufacturing challenges. From prototyping to mass production, many of the world’s most commonly used plastic parts are created using injection molding. Things like keyboards, phone casing, and bottle caps are all created using different types of plastic molding. 

One of the biggest advantages offered by the process is its unbeatable price per unit. After the initial investment to design and create the mold, parts can be manufactured at a price and speed unrivaled by other methods. 

To read more about the plastic injection process, check out our blog here.

The cost of injection molding

An injection mold can cost anywhere from $1,000 up to $80,000 or more, but the average cost is typically $10-$20,000. The most important factor when considering the total cost of a project is always going to be the return on investment (ROI). That return increases based on the number of parts being created. In other words, the bigger your project, the quicker you recoup the upfront cost of the mold. The main factors that will determine your injection molding project cost include:

• Complexity
• Material
• Part size
• Quantities

For more information about the cost of injection molding, see our blog. 

Plastic Materials Used in Injection Molding

The most commonly used plastic materials for manufacturing are polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Because plastic materials can be selected to impart different physical properties, It’s important to understand which materials should be used, depending on the application of your product. For instance, some materials are temperature resistant while others are more durable. No matter the job, there’s a plastic that can help do it better.

Trust the Experts

At Rex Plastics, we’re dedicated to helping our customers find the perfect solution to their manufacturing challenges. Moreover, with our decades of practice in the plastics industry, we have the knowledge and experience needed to take on projects of many sizes. If you’re interested in plastic manufacturing and want to know more, visit our contact page or request a quote.