Product Knowledge & Applications

You have a part design and you are ready to get prices from molders. But how do you make sure the quotes you receive are accurate and comparable? Requesting an injection molding quote is not as simple as asking “how much?” The answer depends on many factors – material, volume, tolerances, and more. A vague … Read more

Flash – also called burrs or spew – is a thin layer of excess plastic that escapes from the mold cavity at the parting line. It can appear around the edge of a part, around ejector pins, or at any place where mold halves meet. Injection molding flash is not just an aesthetic problem; it … Read more

Weld lines – also called knit lines – are visible lines or weak spots on injection molded parts. They form when two flow fronts of molten plastic meet and fail to bond completely. A weld line can ruin the look of a part, but worse, it can create a structural weak point that breaks under … Read more

Sink marks are one of the most common defects in injection molding. They appear as small depressions or dimples on the surface of a part, usually in thicker areas like ribs or bosses. These marks can ruin the appearance of a product and may also indicate internal voids that weaken the part. Understanding sink marks … Read more

If you are planning to produce plastic parts, one of the first questions is: how much will the mold cost? The answer is never simple. Injection mold cost can range from a few thousand dollars for a simple prototype tool to over $100,000 for a complex multi‑cavity production mold. Understanding what drives the price helps … Read more

Nylon is a strong engineering plastic, but sometimes you need even more strength and stiffness. That is where glass-filled nylon comes in. By adding glass fibers to nylon resin, manufacturers create a material that handles higher loads and temperatures. It is widely used in automotive, industrial, and consumer applications where standard nylon falls short. In … Read more

When you need clear plastic parts, two materials often come to mind: polycarbonate (PC) and acrylic (PMMA). Both are transparent and can be injection molded. But they have very different properties. Choosing the right one affects strength, clarity, cost, and durability. In this guide, we compare polycarbonate vs acrylic for injection molding. You will learn … Read more

ABS is one of the most popular materials for injection molding. It is strong, tough, and easy to mold. Engineers and product designers choose ABS plastic for everything from car parts to toys. But what exactly is ABS? And how do you get the best results when molding it? This guide covers the properties of … Read more

How much does injection molding cost? It is one of the first questions buyers ask. The answer is not simple. Injection molding cost depends on many factors: mold complexity, material choice, part size, and volume. This guide breaks down each cost driver. You will learn how to read an injection molding quote, what questions to … Read more

Good parts start with good mold design. The mold is the heart of the injection molding process. A well-designed mold produces consistent, high-quality parts for millions of cycles. A poorly designed mold leads to defects, delays, and extra costs. This guide covers the key principles of injection mold design. You will learn about draft angles, … Read more