Sofia Martinez
Injection moulding is a process used to create plastic parts. The cost of this process varies depending on the complexity, size, and material of the mould. Simple moulds can cost between $1,000 and $5,000, while more complex moulds can cost between $25,000 and $75,000 or more. The cost of the plastic itself also varies depending on the type of plastic being used, with common plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene costing between $1.50 and $3 per kg, and engineering plastics such as ABS or polycarbonate ranging from $3 to $5 per kg. In addition to the cost of the mould and the plastic, there are also labour costs and other overhead costs associated with the injection moulding process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of simple molds | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Cost of complex molds | $25,000 to $75,000 |
| Cost of simple molds in the UK | £1,000 |
| Cost of complex molds in the UK | £50,000 |
| Cost of common plastics per kg | $1.50 to $3 |
| Cost of engineering plastics per kg | $3 to $5 |
| Cost of large, industrial plastic injection molding machines | Over $200,000 |
| Total cost of materials | $50,000 to $150,000 |
| Total labor cost | $100,000 to $300,000 |
| Total cost of injection molding process | $175,000 to $525,000 |
What You'll Learn
The cost of injection moulding per kg of material
The cost of injection moulding depends on the complexity, size and material of the mould. Simple moulds can cost from £1,000 to $5,000, while more complex moulds can cost between £25,000 and £75,000 or more. The price per part can range from £1 to £5 for small to medium production volumes. The cost of the mould itself can range from £1,000 for a simple design to £50,000 or more for a highly complex or multi-cavity mould.
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The cost of the mould
The cost of a mould depends on its complexity, size, and material. Simple moulds can cost between $1,000 and $5,000, while more complex moulds with multiple cavities or intricate designs can cost between $25,000 and $75,000 or more. The price per part can range from £1 to £5 for small to medium production volumes. The cost of the mould itself can range from £1,000 for a simple design to £50,000 or more for a highly complex or multi-cavity mould.
The cost of injection moulding per kg of material depends on the type of plastic being used. Common plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene are cheaper, costing between $1.50 and $3 per kg. Engineering plastics such as ABS or polycarbonate are more expensive, ranging from $3 to $5 per kg.
To reduce injection moulding costs, it is preferable to use small (desktop) injection moulding machines or even 3D printers for low-volume orders. Large, industrial plastic injection moulding machines are reserved for high-volume orders and can cost over $200,000, with additional costs related to skilled labour training, maintenance, monitoring, and industry regulations.
Injection-moulded part costs vary based on mould upkeep, the time to form a part, and factors related to the plastic, such as the part rate, estimated scrap amount, plastic weight, and sometimes a mould maintenance fee to cover injection mould warranties.
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The total cost of materials
The cost of injection moulding per kg of material depends on the type of plastic being used. Common plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene can cost between $1.50 and $3 per kg. Engineering plastics such as ABS or polycarbonate are more expensive, ranging from $3 to $5 per kg.
The cost of injection moulding tooling can increase exponentially for large custom-designed parts. Large, industrial plastic injection moulding machines can cost over $200,000 and have additional costs related to skilled labour training, maintenance, monitoring and industry regulations. These machines are typically reserved for high-volume orders.
To reduce injection moulding costs, it is recommended to increase production volume and distribute overhead set-up and mould costs over a larger number of parts.
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The total labour cost
The cost of the labour also depends on the type of plastic being used. Common plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene are cheaper, costing between $1.50 and $3 per kg. Engineering plastics such as ABS or polycarbonate are more expensive, ranging from $3 to $5 per kg.
Additionally, the cost of labour can be affected by the size of the injection moulding machine. Small, desktop injection moulding machines or 3D printers are more cost-effective for low-volume orders, while large, industrial plastic injection moulding machines are reserved for high-volume orders and can cost over $200,000. These larger machines also come with additional costs related to skilled labour training, maintenance, monitoring, and industry regulations.
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The cost of injection moulding machines
The cost of injection moulding per kg of material depends on the type of plastic being used. Common plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene are cheaper, costing between $1.50 and $3 per kg. Engineering plastics such as ABS or polycarbonate are more expensive, ranging from $3 to $5 per kg.
The total cost of materials for injection moulding can range from $50,000 to $150,000, while the total labour cost can be between $100,000 and $300,000. Large, industrial plastic injection moulding machines can cost over $200,000 and have additional costs related to skilled labour training, maintenance, monitoring and industry regulations.
To reduce injection moulding costs, it is recommended to increase production volume to distribute overhead set-up and mould costs over a larger number of parts.
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Frequently asked questions
A simple mould typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000.
A larger, more complex, higher-production or steel mould can cost from $7,000 upwards.
The total cost is made up of two parts: the mould cost and the part cost. The mould cost can be between $25,000 and $75,000, and the part cost can be between $0.20 and $10 per piece. Therefore, the total cost of an injection moulding project can be anywhere from $10,000 or less to $100,000.
The final cost of an injection moulding project depends on the amount of material used, which in turn depends on the design required. More complex designs with more cavities and a high mould polish result in extra costs.
