Types of Injection Molding Tooling: Which Is Right for Your Project?

4. Single-Cavity vs. Multi-Cavity Molds

• Single-Cavity Molds: Produce one part per cycle, ideal for low-volume production and high-precision parts.

• Multi-Cavity Molds: Produce multiple parts in one cycle, increasing efficiency and lowering the cost per part.

The choice between them will depend on considerations of production volume and cost.

5. Family Molds

Family molds typically carry several cavities for a variety of part designs within the same mold. This is very useful for manufacturing components of an assembly simultaneously in one production run.

Cons:

• Cost-effective way of producing related parts

• It reduces mold investments for multi-part projects.

Cons:

• Parts must be similar, at a minimum, in size and material.

It is a balancing act to achieve an even material flow sometimes.

6. Hot Runner vs. Cold Runner Molds

• Hot runner molds: Use a heated manifold to maintain the molten state of the plastic, thereby minimizing waste and maximizing productive efficiency.  

• Cold runner molds: Unheated channels are used to direct material, but any excess plastic must be manually removed and recycled.

Hot runners are suitable for high-volume production, whereas cold runners are simpler and less expensive for short runs.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Injection Molding Tooling

The selection process involves many considerations. 

1. Production Volume

• Low-volume production (1-10,000 parts) → Prototype or aluminum molds

• Medium-volume production (10,000-100,000 parts) → Soft tooling

• High-volume production (100,000+ parts) → Hard tooling

2. Material Selection

Some plastics require higher mold durability. For example, custom-machined parts using high-temperature resins may need steel molds to withstand wear and tear.

3. Part Complexity

High-precision injection molding with a hardened steel mold is recommended for intricate details or tight tolerances, should your design call for these features.

4. Budget Constraints

Consider your budget for both upfront mold costs and long-term production efficiency. While steel molds are more expensive initially, they offer lower per-unit costs over time.

5. Lead Time Requirements

• Prototype molds can be ready in weeks, making them ideal for fast development cycles.

• Production molds take longer but offer long-term cost savings.

Why Choose Norck for Injection Molding?

Injection molding solutions from Norck are always of high quality and specially designed to suit your needs. Our custom machining of parts ensures durable, precise, and cost-effective solutions for your project.

What We Offer:

• Quality tooling prototypes for production

• Progressive machining and advanced materials techniques

• Quick turnaround times for custom-machined parts

• Expert advice in choice of injection molding processes

We can help you find the optimal solution for your project, whether it is prototype molds for testing or molds for high-volume production.

Conclusion

The selection of proper injection molding tooling is paramount to enable the production of high-quality parts efficiently and economically. So it is vital to appreciate the different types of molds for decision-making in line with the project necessities from prototype, soft tooling, hard tooling, to multi-cavity molds. 

Norck specializes in delivering world-class injection molding solutions for customers across many sectors, including automotive, medical, consumer goods, and electronics. Speak to our experts for further assistance on your project and to help determine suitable tooling options. 

For further information and to request a quote for your injection molding process project, visit our site, Norck.