Injection Mold Making: Plastic Molds Designed, Built and Kept for You
We design your mold with your part, machine it in-house, run the first shots and keep it ready for every reorder. Aluminum bridge molds give first samples in 2 to 3 weeks, steel production molds in 4 to 8 weeks, and the mold is yours from day one.
Compare all molding methods- Aluminum bridge mold
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Steel production mold
- 4 to 8 weeks
- Shots per hardened steel mold, up to about
- 1,000,000
- With a mold passport
- Yours
How We Make an Injection Mold
A mold is two machined halves, the cavity and the core, with channels that carry the plastic in, water that cools it and pins that push the part out. Every one of those details is planned with your part, before any metal is cut.
- 01
Mold design with your part
Parting line, gates, cooling, ejection, cavities and steel are planned in the same DFM review as your part.
- 02
Machining the cavity and core
The mold halves are CNC machined, then fitted, polished or textured to the finish you chose.
- 03
First shots
The mold runs its first shots. You see them on video, then get physical samples to measure and approve.
- 04
Adjust and approve
Any fit or size corrections are made in the steel, and the mold is approved for production.
- 05
Passport and storage
Your mold passport opens, and the mold is stored and maintained between your production runs.
Which Mold Do You Need?
The right mold depends on how many parts you need, for how long, and in which plastic. Here is what we build.
Typical mold figures
- Mold types
- Aluminum bridge molds, steel production molds
- Steels
- P20, 718H, NAK80, H13, S136 stainless
- Cavities
- 1, 2, 4 or 8, or a family mold
- Mold life
- Aluminum: tens of thousands of shots; steel: about 300,000 to 1,000,000
- Presses
- About 50 to 500 tonnes, matched to your part
- First samples
- 2 to 3 weeks aluminum, 4 to 8 weeks steel
Typical values. Your quote recommends a mold for your part and volume.
Get a new mold built when you need
- A first production mold for a new product
- A bridge mold to launch before steel
- A mold that will run for years
- More cavities to cut the price per part
- A family mold for a multi-part product
- A mold you own and can move
Consider instead
- Vacuum castingFor 10 to 25 parts from a silicone mold, before a metal mold.Vacuum casting
- Family & multi-cavity moldsFor several parts or copies in one shot.Multi-cavity molds
- Plastic injection moldingFor parts from a mold that already exists.Plastic molding
- Die casting toolingFor metal parts, cast in zinc or aluminum from a die.Metal casting
Injection Molds From Real Client Projects
Cavities, cores and mold plates for products now in production, photographed in the toolroom and at the press.
Which Mold Steel Fits Your Volume?
The mold material decides how long it lasts, how well it polishes and which plastics it can run. We recommend one from your yearly quantity and product life.
Aluminum
Bridge molds
Quick to machine and lower in cost. Gets a product to market while demand is still being proven.
- Mold life
- Tens of thousands of shots
- First samples
- 2 to 3 weeks
Ideal forLaunch runs, market tests, early volumes
P20
Pre-hardened tool steel
The everyday production steel: machines well and lasts for years at moderate volumes.
- Hardness
- ≈ 28 to 34 HRC
- Mold life
- ≈ 300,000 to 500,000 shots
Ideal forMost production molds
718H
Improved pre-hardened steel
Like P20 with more even hardness through thick blocks, for larger molds and better polish.
- Hardness
- ≈ 33 to 38 HRC
- Mold life
- ≈ 300,000 to 500,000 shots
Ideal forLarger production molds
NAK80
High-polish steel
Polishes to a mirror and holds its size, for glossy cosmetic and clear parts.
- Hardness
- ≈ 37 to 43 HRC
- Polish
- Mirror, SPI A
Ideal forGlossy covers, clear parts
H13
Hardened hot-work steel
Hard and wear resistant, for long runs and abrasive glass-filled plastics.
- Hardness
- ≈ 44 to 52 HRC
- Mold life
- Up to ≈ 1,000,000 shots
Ideal forHigh volumes, glass-filled nylon
S136
Stainless mold steel
Corrosion resistant and polishes very well, for clear, medical and food-contact parts.
- Hardness
- ≈ 48 to 52 HRC
- Mold life
- Up to ≈ 1,000,000 shots
Ideal forClear, medical and long-life molds
Typical values. Mold life depends on the plastic, the part and maintenance.
Your Mold Is Yours, and You Can Always See It
Between runs your mold is stored and maintained at our production house. Its passport keeps the record, so you always know its state.
- 1
Yours from day one
You own the mold outright from the moment it is built, not after a volume target.
- 2
Used only for you
Your mold is never resold, repurposed or run for another client.
- 3
Shot count and maintenance
The passport logs the shot count and every service, so maintenance is planned before it is due.
- 4
Right to move it
If you ever move production, the mold goes with you, with the paperwork to prove it is yours.
Cavity Finishes We Cut Into the Mold
Every part copies the surface of the cavity, so the finish is part of the mold. Pick it before the steel is cut.
- 01
SPI A: mirror polish
Diamond-polished cavity for glossy cosmetic and clear parts.
Steel: NAK80, S136
- 02
SPI B: semi-gloss
Fine stone polish for a smooth, low-shine surface.
Steel: P20, 718H, NAK80
- 03
SPI C: matte
Stone finish that hides marks on everyday parts.
Steel: All steels
- 04
SPI D: blasted
Bead or sand blasted for an even matte look.
Steel: All steels
- 05
MT and VDI textures
Grain textures for grip and a premium feel. Need extra draft.
Steel: P20, 718H, H13
- 06
Logos and markings
Logos, part numbers and recycling codes cut into the cavity.
Steel: All steels
Aluminum Bridge Mold or Steel Production Mold?
Most buyers choose between these two. Here is how they compare, so you can match the mold to your launch plan.
Mold life
- Aluminum bridge mold
- Tens of thousands of shots
- Steel production mold
- About 300,000 to 1,000,000 shots, by steel
First samples
- Aluminum bridge mold
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Steel production mold
- 4 to 8 weeks
Tooling cost
- Aluminum bridge mold
- Lower
- Steel production mold
- Higher, spread over many more parts
Cavities
- Aluminum bridge mold
- Usually 1 or 2
- Steel production mold
- 1, 2, 4 or 8, or a family mold
Surface finish
- Aluminum bridge mold
- Matte to semi-gloss, typically
- Steel production mold
- Up to mirror polish or textured
Design changes
- Aluminum bridge mold
- Quick and cheap to modify
- Steel production mold
- Possible, best planned before the steel is cut
Best for
- Aluminum bridge mold
- Launches, market tests, crowdfunding runs
- Steel production mold
- Long production, high volumes, glass-filled plastics
| Compare | Aluminum bridge mold | Steel production mold |
|---|---|---|
| Mold life | Tens of thousands of shots | About 300,000 to 1,000,000 shots, by steel |
| First samples | 2 to 3 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Tooling cost | Lower | Higher, spread over many more parts |
| Cavities | Usually 1 or 2 | 1, 2, 4 or 8, or a family mold |
| Surface finish | Matte to semi-gloss, typically | Up to mirror polish or textured |
| Design changes | Quick and cheap to modify | Possible, best planned before the steel is cut |
| Best for | Launches, market tests, crowdfunding runs | Long production, high volumes, glass-filled plastics |
Typical comparison. Your quote recommends a mold for your part, plastic and volume.
Injection Mold Questions
How long does it take to make an injection mold?
First samples arrive 2 to 3 weeks after design sign-off on an aluminum bridge mold and 4 to 8 weeks on a steel production mold, depending on the part and the number of cavities.
How much does an injection mold cost?
It depends on part size, complexity, the steel, the number of cavities and any slides or lifters. Send a 3D model and your yearly quantity, and we quote the mold and the parts as separate lines within 24 hours.
How long does a mold last?
Aluminum molds last tens of thousands of shots. P20 and 718H steel last about 300,000 to 500,000, and H13 and S136 up to about 1,000,000, with regular maintenance.
Who owns the mold, and can I move it?
You own it from day one. Your mold passport includes a written right to move it to any factory at any time, and it is never used for another client.
What is a mold passport?
A record of your mold: photos, steel, cavity count, mold size, the press it runs on, the shot count, the maintenance log, where it is stored and your ownership document.
Can the mold be changed after first samples?
Yes. Size and fit corrections after the first shots are normal and are made before you approve the mold. Bigger design changes are easier on aluminum, or when planned before the steel is cut.
Can you take over a mold made elsewhere?
Send the mold size, cavity count, steel and the press it last ran on. An engineer checks whether it suits our presses and quotes the parts.
Trusted By Product Companies Worldwide
Verified reviews from clients in USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada and more.
Planning a mold?
Get Your Injection Mold Quoted
Send a 3D model and your yearly quantity. An engineer reviews it for tooling and replies with mold and part prices within 24 hours.
