What Is Injection Molding?
Литье под давлением is the most cost-effective way to make a plastic part at scale. The injection molding process involves injecting molten plastic into a mold tool, then ejecting the solidified part. This process quickly repeats hundreds or thousands of times, amortizing the cost of the mold tool and driving down the cost of each unit to a few dollars or less. Since the injection molding process uses the same mold tool for each part, it offers consistent quality across every part. Injection molding also has the highest variety of materials, colors, cosmetics, polishes, and surface textures when compared to ЧПУ-обработка or even 3D-печатью.
XTJ’s custom plastic mold service is a service providing on-demand prototype and production molding. We take a customer-first approach which means we find the right injection molding supplier within our manufacturing supplier network to mold the parts the way you need them—without design compromises—at the right price point. We offer expert consultation on each injection mold quote and project managers on every order to move your parts from design to production. Our team has experience in every industry, especially medical injection molding and liquid silicone rubber molding. First-time buyers receive $500 off their first mold with Xometry. We offer both domestic and China injection molding options, as well as ITAR injection molding.
Injection Molding Capabilities
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
|
Срок выполнения |
Starts at 5 business days, including fast quote responses with design-for-manufacturing (DFM) feedback |
|
Production Options |
Domestic and international |
|
Материалы |
Most plastics, including custom sourcing and matching; see materials list below |
|
Machines Available |
Single, multi-cavity, and family molds; 50 to 1,100+ press tonnage; side actions including hand-loaded cores. |
|
Inspection and Certification Options |
Includes FAI and PPAP. ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, UL, ITAR, and ISO 7 and 8 Medical Clean Room molding. |
|
Tool Ownership |
Customer-owned with mold maintenance |
|
Mold Cavity Tolerances |
+/- 0.005″ when machining the mold and an additional +/- 0.002″ per inch when calculating for shrink rate |
|
Part to Part Repeatability |
+/- 0.004″ or less |
|
Critical Feature Tolerances |
Tighter tolerances can be requested and may increase the cost of tooling because of additional sampling and grooming. Xometry will mill to a steel-safe condition on critical features. |
|
Available Mold Types |
Steel and aluminum; Production grades range from Class 105, a prototype mold, to Class 101, an extremely high production mold. Xometry typically produces Class 104, 103, and 102 tools. |
This table depicts the general tolerances for XTJs injection molding services and accounts for adequate draft, radii, and coring for manufacturability.
How Custom Plastic Injection Molding Works
The plastic injection molding process requires an injection molding machine, raw plastic material, and a machined mold. The raw plastic material is first melted in the injection unit and is then injected into the mold—most often machined from steel or aluminum—where it cools and solidifies into the final plastic part.
At XTJ, we first review your plastic injection molding online quote, then consult with you to ensure your specifications, lead time, and price fit your project needs. We then use your 3D part data to CNC machine a high-quality injection mold. Once the molded parts are created, XTJ sends ten part samples (T1) for approval. Once the mold is refined and approved, XTJ begins production. XTJ molds a variety of products and parts from the smallest medical insert up to large automotive, aerospace, and defense parts.
Custom Plastic Injection Molding Materials
Rigid Plastic Materials:
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
High-strength general-purpose engineering plastic, used for many commercial products.
ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate)
A material very similar to ABS with higher resistance to fading and better suited for outdoor use.
CA (cellulose acetate)
Typically used in eyeglasses and film, CA is a flexible clear material that can be used in food contact.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
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A tough and rigid material resistant to lubricants, solvents, and cleaning agents. Very common in electronic enclosures.
PC-PET (polycarbonate-polyethylene terephthalate)
A blend of PC and PET provides tough and chemically resistant results and can be used as an alternate to PC-ABS. It endures harsh solvents and cleaners, making it excellent for sports equipment and healthcare applications.
PCT (polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate)
A thermoplastic polyester that typically outperforms PET due to lower moisture absorption and better environmental stability. PCT is often used for connectors and switches.
PE (polyethylene)
One of the most common plastics used in the world, PE has high ductility, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. PE is often described by its molecular weight, such as UHMW PE (ultra-high molecular weight), LDPE (low density), or HDPE (high density). PE is used in packaging, tubing, films, bottles, and more.
PEEK (polyether ether ketone)
Offering excellent tensile strength that surpasses most plastics, PEEK is often used as a lightweight substitute for metal parts in high-temperature, high-stress applications. PEEK resists chemicals, wear, and moisture.
PEI (polyetherimide, Ultem)
Known best for its extremely high heat and flame resistance, PEI is used for many medical applications and is more affordable than PEEK.
PE-PP (polyethylene-polypropylene)
A resin blend of the polyolefin’s polypropylene and polyethylene.
PE-PS (polyethylene-polystyrene)
A resin blend of the polyethylene and polystyrene.
PES (polyethersulfone)
A rigid, transparent plastic that is chemically inert, biocompatible, and sterilizable. PES is suitable for food-contact devices such as coffee machine components as well as aerospace and automotive where chemical exposure is high.
PET (polyethylene terephthalate, Rynite)
Also abbreviated PETE, this is a clear, strong, and lightweight PE resin heavily used in food packaging, soda bottles, jars, and more. The material is food-safe. PET is recyclable with a resin code of 1.
PLA (polylactic acid)
A biodegradable and renewable plastic. PLA has a relatively low glass transition temperature and is common in short-use applications.
PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic)
A clear glass-like plastic. Good wear and tear properties. Great for outdoor use.
POM (acetal polyoxymethylene, Delrin)
Good moisture resistance, high wear-resistance, and low friction.
PP (polypropylene)
Polypropylene has excellent electrical properties and little or no moisture absorption. It carries light loads for a long period in varying temperatures. It can be molded into parts requiring chemical or corrosion resistance.
PPA (polyphthalamide)
A subset of nylons (polyamide) that typically exhibit a higher melting point and lower moisture absorption. PPA is typically used in automotive and industrial applications because it can withstand harsh chemicals. PPA is good for fuel and fluid manifolds and headlight housings.
PPS (polyphenylene sulfide, Ryton)
A high-performance thermoplastic with extreme resistance to solvents.
PS (polystyrene): A clear, hard, and brittle material widely used for food packaging, clamshell containers, and even disposable cutlery.
PS-PPE (polystyrene-polyphenyl ethers, Noryl)
Exhibiting high heat and flame resistance, PPE-PS has high stiffness and tensile strength even at elevated temperatures.
PSU (polysulfone, Udel)
A rigid, stiff, and transparent plastic which is a higher-performance alternative to polycarbonate.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride (Shore D))
A rigid, general-use plastic that is common in plumbing, non-food packaging, and trimming.
PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride, Kynar)
A chemically inert, high-temperature material. Due to its low friction, PVDF is used in plumbing parts, bearings, chemical handling, electrical wire insulation, and tubing.
SAN (styrene acrylonitrile)
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LSR (liquid silicone rubber)
Silicones are versatile rubber materials offering food and biocompatibility, extreme heat resistance, and excellent flexibility. LSR is used for medical devices, automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. Liquid silicone rubber molding is a specialized process different from traditional injection molding.
XTJ — ведущий OEM-производитель, который занимается предоставлением комплексных решений от прототипа до производства. Мы гордимся тем, что являемся сертифицированной системой управления качеством ISO 9001, и стремимся создавать ценность в каждом клиентском взаимодействии. Мы достигаем этого через сотрудничество, инновации, улучшение процессов и исключительное мастерство.