Four simple methods to save injection molding costs

1. Material selection
You can reduce costs by understanding the best materials suitable for your parts. The first factor in deciding which material to use is the placement of the parts. Is it outdoors, indoors, or next to the oven? The temperature, durability, and stability requirements of the parts will help you understand the material requirements.
The second factor to consider is the price per pound.
2. Cycle period
The faster the cycle, the lower the indirect cost of each component. The cycle time refers to the time required for the molding of parts during the injection molding process. The cycle time depends on the mold structure, water circulation, and its ability to cool the plastic to a solid state.
The cooling time of the parts largely depends on the material you choose. For example, the cooling rate of high-density polyethylene is very fast, while materials such as polysulfone need to be heated in their molds and then cooled (increasing cycle time). Professional tip: If your mold needs to be heated/cooled, please make sure there is a water circuit in your mold, as this will change the cycle and appearance of the parts.
The construction of the mold can also determine the cycle time based on the material you choose. For example, aluminum has a faster heat transfer rate, resulting in a faster cycle time, but it is also prone to damage, especially when passing through complex mold geometries or plastic material types. Due to the slow heat transfer rate of steel, the processing time is longer, but it is more durable.
3. Surface treatment
Understanding the surface treatment required for parts can save a significant amount of unnecessary costs.
Overall, the higher your requirements for the gloss of the parts, the higher the price of the tools. This is because to make a part shiny, more labor is required, which greatly increases time and upfront costs.
4. Post molding operation
The more operations required after molding, the more your price will increase because it involves additional labor.
Only consider machining grooves, holes, tapping, etc. when necessary, as these will greatly increase their costs. Put these features into the part design and press them into the mold.
Carefully crafted cooling devices may increase costs, but you can design cores based on the selected materials and parts to eliminate the need for cooling devices.
The packaging level required for your parts will also save additional funds - if your parts are not fragile, there is no need for additional packaging. For example, if you don't need an egg rack, a Gallard box is enough to protect your goods. This also applies to special handling requirements during delivery.
It is also important to determine how many special inspections and tests you expect to perform on your parts. If you want to manufacture many parts, do you need to inspect each part? Or is it only checking one out of every dozen or every hundred? Do you require us to test your parts before delivery, or can you test them after receiving them? Knowing what you don't need will help you save a lot of money.
Key points
The best way to reduce part costs is to accurately understand the purpose of the parts, which will help you understand what they need and what they don't need. Whether it's surface treatment, materials, or post molding operations of parts, you can save money by determining the breakeven point in your selection.