Pricing Factors
Understand what drives the cost of an injection molding project
The total cost of a plastic injection molding project depends on a number of interrelated factors. R&D Plastics uses an interactive pricing model to evaluate different tooling strategies and help you find the most cost-effective approach for your application. Here’s how we think about the two main cost areas: the mold and the part.
Mold Cost Factors
MOLD STRATEGY
Part volume, design complexity, tolerances, surface finish, gating and material all influence the right mold approach. For smaller, simpler parts, a less expensive mold insert may be a cost-effective option.
MOLD SIZE
Larger and deeper parts require bigger molds, which generally increases cost. How a large part is gated can also significantly affect mold size and price.
NUMBER OF CAVITIES
The right number of cavities is driven by expected volume, mold cost, part cost and lead time. Our pricing model helps determine the best balance for your project.
Part Cost Factors
MATERIAL SELECTION
The plastic material must meet all of the application’s physical and chemical requirements while being manufacturable in the part design.
ORDER QUANTITY
Higher volumes reduce cost in two ways: lower material pricing and setup costs spread across more parts.
LABOR CONTENT
Our goal is to minimize labor content and part cost by automating the process where it makes sense.
PACKAGING
Getting the product safely to you or the end user is factored into overall cost.
CAVITIES
More cavities in the mold generally reduces part cost — especially important for higher-volume applications.
SECONDARY OPERATIONS
Some parts require special packaging, assembly or kitting after molding, which adds to the total part cost.
PRODUCTION RATE
Part design and material selection affect how quickly the part can be molded. Since machine time is charged by the hour, faster cycle times mean lower part pricing.
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