Covering Mold With Plastic: Effective Solution Or Expensive Mistake?

The cost of plastic injection moulding depends on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of the project, the number of cavities in the mould, and the anticipated quantities. Prices can range from $1,000 to $100,000+, with an average cost of around $12,000. The cheapest option is a small desktop injection moulding machine, which is perfect for in-house projects and low-volume production.

Injection moulding costs

The cost of injection moulding depends on a range of factors, including the order size, part complexity, and other factors. Injection moulding can be expensive to set up, but is cheaper over the long run, so it works best for large production volumes. The cost of the resin itself, tooling, cycle time, mould cavitation, and other details will all impact the final price.

The plastic injection moulding process can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $100,000 or more. Simple moulds are typically in the $3,000 to $6,000 range, while the price for large, more complex, high-production, or multi-cavity moulds can cost $25,000 to $50,000 or more. The number of cavities in the mould is important, as the injection moulding cost per part decreases as the number of mould cavities increases. The 8-cavity mould will provide approximately 5 million parts per year, while the 32-cavity mould will provide approximately 20 million parts per year.

The cheapest option is a small desktop injection moulding machine, which is perfect for in-house projects and producing low volumes of parts. Injection moulding tooling for a mid-level order (around 1,000-2,000 small parts) can cost up to $10,000. For more complex geometries and large orders, the cost can go up to $100,000.

The determining factors in the cost of your mould are a combination of the part size, complexity, material, and anticipated quantities. For instance, a single-cavity mould that produces 1,000 washers per year would cost around $1,000-2,000. However, if you needed 100,000 Xbox controllers every month, the cost would be much higher.

Plastic parts manufacturing costs

The cost of plastic parts manufacturing depends on a number of factors, including the size of the part, its complexity, the material used, and the anticipated quantity. Injection moulding is one of the cheapest and most cost-efficient forms of manufacturing, with the price per unit decreasing as the number of units increases. The cost of injection moulding can range from $100 to $100,000+, with small and simple single-cavity plastic injection moulds costing between $1,000 and $5,000, and large or complex moulds costing $80,000 or more. On average, a typical mould that produces a relatively simple part small enough to hold in your hand costs around $12,000.

The number of cavities in the mould also affects the cost. A 32-cavity mould, for example, can produce approximately 20 million parts per year, but the cost of such a large mould may not make financial sense for some businesses. An 8-cavity mould, on the other hand, can provide approximately 5 million parts per year and may be a more cost-effective option for some manufacturers.

The hourly rate for a moulding machine can also include the cost of plastic, but some manufacturers charge for this separately. For example, an hourly rate of $130/hr may or may not include the cost of plastic. The cycle time, or the time required to complete all stages of the injection moulding process, also affects the cost. As the number of mould cavities increases, the injection moulding cost per part decreases.

Overall, the cost of plastic parts manufacturing can vary widely depending on the specific requirements and scale of the project.

Hourly moulding machine rates

There are no standard rates for moulding machines, but reported machine rates for injection moulders range from $20 per hour to $328.90 per hour. The cheapest option is a small desktop injection moulding machine, which is perfect for in-house projects. A small desktop injection moulding machine is the most cost-effective choice for producing low volumes of parts.

The cost of plastic is sometimes included in the hourly moulding machine rate, but some manufacturers charge the customer for plastic separately. The hourly rate for a moulding machine depends on the size of the machine, the manufacturing environment, the industry served, labour costs and a variety of markups. For example, an IMM survey of 47 moulders revealed that hourly rates for 25- to 100-ton presses ranged from $9.07 on the low end to a high of $35. Several moulders charge the same hourly rate regardless of press size.

The cost of the plastic injection moulding process depends on the scope and intricacy of the project. A small and simple single-cavity plastic injection mould usually costs between $1,000 and $5,000. Very large or complex moulds may cost as much as $80,000 or more. On average, a typical mould that produces a relatively simple part small enough to hold in your hand costs around $12,000.

Cost-efficiency of injection moulding

Injection moulding is one of the most cost-efficient forms of manufacturing. The cost of injection moulding can range from $100 to $100,000+, depending on the scope and intricacy of the project. A small and simple single-cavity plastic injection mould usually costs between $1,000 and $5,000. On the other hand, very large or complex moulds may cost as much as $80,000 or more. The average cost of a typical mould that produces a relatively simple part small enough to hold in your hand is around $12,000.

The cost-efficiency of injection moulding is largely determined by the number of units produced. The more units created with a mould, the cheaper the price per unit becomes. This is because the cost of the mould is spread across a larger number of units. For example, a single-cavity mould that produces 1,000 washers per year would cost around $1,000 to $2,000. In contrast, a 32-cavity mould can produce approximately 20 million parts per year, significantly reducing the cost per unit.

The cost of injection moulding is also influenced by factors such as part size, complexity, material, and anticipated quantities. For instance, a small desktop injection moulding machine is the most cost-effective choice for producing low volumes of parts. Additionally, the hourly moulding machine rate may or may not include the cost of plastic, which can impact the overall cost of the project.

Overall, injection moulding offers a cost-efficient solution for manufacturing, particularly when producing large quantities of parts. By understanding the factors that affect the cost, manufacturers can optimise their processes to achieve the best value for their projects.

Factors affecting the cost of moulding

The cost of moulding depends on a variety of factors, including the scope and intricacy of the project, the size of the part, the complexity of the design, the material used, and the anticipated quantity. For example, a small and simple single-cavity plastic injection mould typically costs between $1,000 and $5,000, while a very large or complex mould may cost upwards of $80,000. On average, a typical mould that produces a relatively simple, small part costs around $12,000.

The number of cavities in the mould also affects the cost. The more cavities a mould has, the lower the cost per part. For instance, an 8-cavity mould can produce approximately 5 million parts per year, while a 32-cavity mould can produce around 20 million parts per year. However, investing in a large mould may not always be financially feasible or necessary, as smaller moulds can often meet the required capacity.

The hourly rate of the moulding machine can also impact the overall cost. Some manufacturers include the cost of plastic in the hourly rate, while others charge for it separately. Additionally, the type of machine used for injection moulding can affect the price. Small desktop injection moulding machines are the most cost-effective option for low-volume production.

Overall, the cost of moulding can vary significantly, ranging from $100 to $100,000 or more, depending on the specific requirements and scale of the project.

Frequently asked questions