A Complete Guide to Plastic Mold (Updated on 2024)

Plastic mold, refers to a mold used for plastic processing.

In the plastic manufacturing industry, this type of mold is used in the plastic molding process, and it can precisely form the dimensions and shapes of plastic products.

In this guide, you will find all the information about casting plastic molds.

Whether you want to understand what a plastic mold is, the types of plastic molds, the applications of plastic molds, the prices of plastic molds, etc. - all the information you need is right here.

Keep reading to learn more about the 2024 guide to plastic mold .

1. What is a plastic mold?

Plastic mold is a three-dimensional shape, used to shape molten plastic into a specific form and size. It's a process where the melted plastic is injected into a pre-designed mold, then cooled, forming a solid plastic part.

Over a span of more than a decade in this domain, HingTung is a is an experienced mold factory, We have saw the rapid advancements in plastic mold technology. For HingTung, an excellent mold isn't about its design. It needs to align with the plastic used, the production process, and even the final use of the product.

2. Types of Plastic Mold

In the realm of plastic molding, a diverse array of mold types caters to the varied demands of different industries and applications. At HingTung, we've been at the forefront of employing and innovating upon these varying mold technologies, ensuring that our clients receive the optimal solution for their specific needs.

Injection Mold

the most common type of plastic mold, injection molds are used for mass production of components. Melted plastic is injected under https://www.hingtungprecision.com/injection-molding/ into the mold cavity, solidifying into the desired shape upon cooling. HingTung's expertise in custom injection mold services, coupled with our state-of-the-art machinery, guarantees precision and efficiency.

Blow Mold

Employed for creating hollow plastic parts like bottles or containers, blow molds work by blowing air into a heated plastic tube, forcing it to expand to the mold's inner shape. HingTung's continuous research and development in this area ensure the delivery of top-quality products.

Rotational Mold

Ideal for large, hollow objects, rotational molding involves placing the plastic in a mold and rotating it, ensuring an even distribution of material. While not as utilized at HingTung, our understanding of its applications ensures clients get the best recommendations for their projects.

Compression Mold

Best suited for thermosetting plastics, compression molds must the plastic material to be placed into the mold, which is then heated to form the part. HingTung's extensive experience with various plastics ensures optimal product outcomes with this mold type.

3D Printed Mold

An emerging technology, 3D printing allows for quicker prototype development and is being employed for mold creation. HingTung, being an innovator in the field, recognizes the potential of 3D printed molds for injection molding and other processes, ensuring our clients are always ahead of the curve.

Aluminum Mold

Offering advantages like excellent thermal conductivity and lighter weight, aluminum molds are often preferred for faster cycles and cost-effectiveness. HingTung's expertise with custom aluminum soft plastic lure molds and other applications stands testament to our dedication to providing diverse solutions.

Prototype Mold

Ideal for short-run production and testing purposes, prototype molds offer a cost-effective way to verify product designs. HingTung’s commitment to innovation is showcased in our prototype mold making services, ensuring clients have a tangible representation of their vision.

Cold Runner and Hot Runner Mold

Distinguished by how they guide molten plastic into the mold cavities, these molds play a crucial role in large-scale production. HingTung's deep understanding of feed systems, including mold hot runner solutions, ensures optimal efficiency and quality.

Family Mold

Consisting of multiple cavities for different parts, family molds allow for simultaneous production of different components. At HingTung, we recognize the time-saving potential of such molds and offer them as a viable solution for diverse production needs.

Mold Type	Description/Application
Injection Mold	Produce parts by injecting material into a mold
Blow Mold	Form hollow plastic parts by blowing preformed material
Rotational Mold	Produce large hollow parts
Compression Mold	Used for molding composites materials
3D Printed Mold	Molds made using 3D printing technologies
Aluminum Mold	Durable, lightweight molds for specific applications
Prototype Mold	Early-stage molds for testing
Cold Runner and Hot Runner Mold	Different methods of feeding molten plastic
Family Mold	Single mold to produce multiple parts

Table: Types of Plastic Molds

3. Applications of Plastic Mold

In the modern manufacturing landscape, plastic molds play an integral role across diverse industries. Their adaptability, coupled with the ability to produce complex and high-quality parts efficiently, makes them invaluable. At HingTung, our rich portfolio reflects our expansive work across various sectors. Let’s explore some primary application areas of plastic molds.

Electronic Products

The electronic industry continually evolves, driving the need for precise and durable components. Plastic molds cater to this need:

● Router: As the backbone of internet connectivity in homes and offices, routers require intricate internal components and a sleek external finish. HingTung specializes in producing custom molds for plastic components of routers, ensuring optimal performance and aesthetics.

● Set-top box: Modern set-top boxes not only decode satellite signals but also house smart features. The plastic enclosures, buttons, and internal components are all birthed from meticulously designed molds, showcasing our expertise in catering to the electronics industry.

Mechanical Equipment

Mechanical devices, whether large industrial machines or small tools, incorporate numerous plastic parts. These parts, often hidden from the eye, play crucial roles in the equipment's functionality. HingTung's experience in custom mold plastic injection ensures these components are robust, precise, and fit for purpose.

Plastic Products

From everyday items like bottles and containers to specialized products such as medical devices, plastic molds are at the heart of their creation. Our proficiency in various mold types, be it custom hdpe molds or custom aluminum soft plastic lure molds, enables us to serve a broad spectrum of needs in this category.

Hardware Products

Hardware products, although predominantly metallic, frequently incorporate plastic elements for enhanced functionality or aesthetics. Whether it's handles, insulation components, or decorative elements, plastic molds are pivotal. HingTung, with its comprehensive mold design services, ensures that these hardware integrations are seamless and of top-notch quality.

Product/Application	Common Mold Types Used
Electronic Products	Injection Molds, Compression Molds
Mechanical Equipment	Injection Molds, Rotational Molds
Plastic Products	Blow Molds, Injection Molds
Hardware Products	Compression Molds, Aluminum Molds

Table: Applications of Plastic Molds

4. Plastic Mold Manufacturing and Design

The creation of a plastic part is not as simple as pouring molten plastic into a mold and waiting for it to solidify. Behind every part is a meticulously crafted process that balances art, science, and engineering. HingTung, with a legacy of over a decade, stands tall as a leader in this intricate world of mold design and manufacturing.

Injection Mold Design

A successful injection molded product begins with a well-thought-out design. This involves considering factors like part geometry, material selection, and gating locations. At HingTung, our team of seasoned engineers ensures that the mold design facilitates smooth material flow, minimizes cycle time, and achieves the desired surface finish.

Plastic Injection Mold Design

While similar in many ways to generic injection mold design, plastic-specific molds must consider the unique properties of plastic. This includes the plastic's behavior during the injection process, its cooling rate, and post-molding shrinkage. Our design services, encompassing custom molds for plastic and custom mold plastic injection, take these factors into account to produce molds that yield consistently high-quality plastic parts.

Mold Manufacturing Process

Once a mold design is finalized, the manufacturing process begins. This involves CNC machining, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), and polishing. At HingTung, we pride ourselves on our precision equipment – from our five-axis CNC to our GF high-speed CNC – ensuring that every mold we produce meets exact specifications.

Injection Mould Manufacturing Process

For the manufacturing of injection molds specifically, attention to detail is paramount. The process starts with mold base preparation, followed by cavity and core machining, and finally assembly and testing. With nearly 60 injection molding machines at our disposal, HingTung guarantees molds that seamlessly fit into production lines and deliver impeccable performance.

Tooling and Molding

This is where design and manufacturing converge. Tooling involves preparing the mold for production, ensuring that it securely fits within the injection molding machine. Once set, the molding process commences, where raw plastic is melted, injected, and subsequently cooled. Our MES integrated with our operational ERP ensures a seamless and efficient production process.

Mould and Die Design

Beyond plastic, molds and dies for other materials also require specialized design. Whether it's for metals, ceramics, or other polymers, the design principles remain consistent but with considerations for the specific material's properties. HingTung's design services are expansive, catering to a myriad of materials and applications.

5. Factors Influencing Plastic Mold Price

In the realm of plastic molding, understanding the pricing landscape is crucial for businesses to make informed decisions. While many see the final product, the intricacies behind the pricing of the mold remain enigmatic to most. At HingTung, in transparency and educating our clients on the various components that play into mold pricing.

Factors Affecting Plastic Mold Price

The cost of a plastic mold is not a simple summation but a culmination of various factors:

1. Complexity of the Design: A complex mold design, which requires intricate details or multiple cavities, is more costly than a straightforward one.

2. Material of the Mold: Custom aluminum soft plastic lure molds might have a different price range compared to custom HDPE molds or custom soft plastic bait molds.

3. Size of the Mold: Larger molds require more materials and longer machining times, thus impacting the price.

4. Tolerances and Precision: High-precision molds, such as those used in medical or aerospace applications, tend to be more expensive due to the meticulousness required.

5. Mold Lifespan: Molds designed for short runs (prototype molds) can be cheaper than those built for high-volume production.

6. Customization: Any additional customization, from custom soft plastic bait molds to custom injection mold design, can influence the final cost.

Interlock Mold Price

Interlock molds, designed for precision and repeatability, have pricing influenced by their complexity, size, and the material used. Their unique interlocking mechanism can add to the machining time, which in turn might raise the price.

Molding Die Price

The molding die price is contingent upon its size, complexity, and the material it's made from. As these dies are integral to shaping the final plastic product, ensuring quality is paramount. HingTung offers competitive prices by optimizing the design and manufacturing processes.

Injection Molding Mold Cost

The cost for injection molding molds can vary considerably. Factors include the number of cavities in the mold, the complexity of the parts being produced, the material of the mold, and the lifecycle expectancy of the mold. HingTung's diverse range of services, from custom molds for plastic to injection mold design services, ensures clients receive optimal value for their investment.

Injection Mold Price

Injection molds are a subset of the broader mold category and are used specifically for the injection molding process. Their price is influenced by the design complexity, size, and expected production volume. Our precision molding and molds, combined with rapid tooling injection molding capabilities, guarantee top-tier quality at competitive rates.

Factor	Influence on Price
Mold Type (e.g., Injection)	Complexity, materials, size can affect price
Material (e.g., Aluminum)	Certain materials may be more costly
Size and Complexity	Larger, more complex molds often cost more
Quantity	Bulk orders can reduce unit price

Table:Pricing Factors and Estimation

6. 3D Printing and Mold Technology

In the modern manufacturing landscape, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has emerged as a revolutionary tool, opening doors to unprecedented design possibilities and rapid prototyping. HingTung has always been at the forefront of adopting innovative technologies, and our venture into the realm of 3D printed molds is no exception. Here, we delve into how 3D printing intersects with mold technology and the inherent benefits it brings to the table.

Benefits of 3D Printed Mold

1. Rapid Prototyping: With 3D printing, creating mold prototypes has become substantially faster, allowing for quicker iterations and design refinements.

2. Cost-Efficiency: For short production runs or prototypes, 3D printed molds can be more cost-effective compared to traditional mold manufacturing methods.

3. Complex Geometries: One of the standout features of 3D printing is its ability to craft intricate designs that might be challenging or impossible with conventional methods.

4. Material Flexibility: The breadth of materials available for 3D printing, ranging from thermoplastics to metals, provides versatility in mold creation.

5. Sustainability: 3D printing minimizes waste by using only the material needed for the print, promoting eco-friendly manufacturing.

Injection Molding with 3D Printed Mold

Traditionally, molds for injection molding have been made from metals like steel or aluminum. However, with advancements in 3D printing materials and technologies, it's now feasible to use 3D printed molds, especially for short-run productions or prototyping. These molds can be printed using high-performance plastics or resins that can withstand the pressures and temperatures of the injection molding process. At HingTung, we've effectively integrated this technology to offer rapid tooling solutions, ensuring faster time-to-market for our clients.

3D Printed Metal Injection Mold

The pinnacle of 3D printing in mold technology is the creation of metal injection molds. This process involves 3D printing metal powders layer by layer, which are then sintered to achieve full density. The benefits are multifold:

1. Durability: Metal molds are more robust and can withstand higher production runs than their plastic counterparts.

2. Thermal Conductivity: Metal, being a good conductor, ensures uniform heat distribution during the molding process, leading to consistent part quality.

3. Surface Finish: 3D printed metal molds can achieve intricate details and smooth finishes, enhancing the quality of the final product.

7. Choosing the Right Plastic Mold Service Provider

In the world of manufacturing, the quality and reliability of your plastic mold service provider can significantly influence the success of your product. The intricate art of mold-making and injection molding is a blend of technology, experience, and precision. But, how do you determine which service provider to entrust with your projects? Here’s a guide:

What to Look for in a Plastic Mold Provider:

1. Experience and Expertise: The longevity of a company in the industry often speaks volumes about its capabilities. Companies with a track record of success can better anticipate challenges and offer solutions based on past experiences.

2. Advanced Machinery and Equipment: The machines utilized in the molding process play a crucial role in determining the quality of the final product. Always inquire about the types of machinery and tools the provider employs.

3. Design and Prototyping Capabilities: Before full-scale production, you want a provider that can aid in refining and perfecting your product design. This can save both time and costs in the long run.

4. Quality Control Measures: Standards such as ISO9000 and ISO14000 highlight a company's commitment to quality. Ensure your chosen provider adheres to internationally recognized quality standards.

5. Production Capacity: Depending on your needs, you might require large-scale production. It's essential to select a provider that can handle the volume you anticipate without compromising on delivery timelines or quality.

6. Digital Integration: A company's utilization of digital systems, like ERP and MES, indicates its commitment to efficiency and real-time project tracking.

7. Client Testimonials and Portfolio: Hearing from previous clients and viewing a company's past work can provide insights into their reliability and quality of work.

8. Advantages and Distinctive Features of HingTung Plastic Mold

As the global market grows increasingly competitive, distinguishing oneself becomes paramount. HingTung, with its rich heritage and forward-thinking approach, possesses certain attributes that not only differentiate us from the competition but also provide inherent value to our clientele. Delving into some of these significant advantages:

Precision Molding and Mould

Precision in molding and mold-making is not just about accuracy; it's about achieving perfection in every intricate detail. HingTung has championed this precision art form. Our advanced machinery, including the five-axis CNC, GF high-speed CNC, and electric injection machines, combined with the expertise of our team, guarantees precision down to the micron. This ensures that every product we mold or every mold we design stands as a testament to unparalleled quality and finish.

Rapid Tooling Injection Molding

Time is an invaluable asset, especially in industries where product life cycles are short and market demands shift rapidly. Recognizing this, HingTung has adopted rapid tooling injection molding techniques, allowing us to significantly reduce the time from design to production. This not only ensures that our clients can bring their products to market faster but also guarantees that they do so without compromising on quality or incurring excessive costs.

Prototype and Plastic Mold

The journey from an idea to a tangible product is fraught with challenges, and the prototyping phase is critical in this journey. HingTung excels in offering prototype and plastic mold services, facilitating a seamless transition from concept to reality. Our one-stop solution ensures that clients can visualize, tweak, and perfect their designs before moving to full-scale production. This not only minimizes errors and wastage but also ensures that the final product aligns perfectly with the client's vision.

9. HingTung's Competitive Edge

At HingTung, we believe that our legacy since 2011, combined with our continuous pursuit of excellence, makes us stand out. We possess a comprehensive in-house team, boasting over 15 engineers adept in every aspect of the mold-making process, from project management to mold design and mold manufacturing.

Our mold factory, spanning 15,000 square meters and housing nearly 60 injection machines, underpins our large-scale production capability. The yearly production of 480 mold sets and 24 million products stands testament to our robust capacity.

Furthermore, our seamless integration of MES with company operations and future plans to integrate it with the financial system indicate our forward-thinking digital approach.

Quality, for HingTung, is not merely a checklist item but a philosophy. Our ISO9000 and ISO14000 certifications underscore our unwavering commitment to quality assurance.

By choosing HingTung, you're not just selecting a service provider; you're opting for a partner committed to turning your vision into reality, ensuring precision, quality, and efficiency at every step.