When you want to make a product, you need to choose how to make it. Two ways are 3D printing and injection molding. 3D printing is good when you only need a few parts. It saves money at the beginning. But if you need many parts, it can take a long time and cost more. Injection-molding is different. You need to make a mold first, which costs more initially. But once you have the mold, you can make many parts quickly. This saves money if you need to make hundreds or thousands of items. So one is better for small jobs, and the other for big ones. 

Injection Molding

It is a quick way to make many plastic parts look the same. It uses a strong mold made from metal like steel or aluminum. Hot plastic is pushed into the mold, cools down, and gets hard. When it’s ready, the mold opens, and the part pops out.

Injection molding process steps:

Close the mold tightly.

Push in the melted plastic.

Let the part cool inside.

Open the mold again.

Take out the finished part.

Injection molding method is fast. You can make hundreds or even thousands of parts in one day. This method is best when you need many parts, not just one or two.

What Is a Mold and Its Cost

A mold is a hard metal tool that shapes plastic into your part. It is made from strong metals like steel or aluminum, so it lasts a long time. Making a mold takes time and special skills.

Inside the mold, tiny plastic mold parts help move the plastic, cool it down, and remove it when it’s done. An innovative plastic mold design makes the job easier and cheaper. Designing for injection molding is a big part of making good plastic parts.

3D Printing

3D printing is a way to make one part at a time using thin layers of plastic. A machine reads a computer file and builds the shape from the bottom up, adding one layer at a time.

You don’t need a mold, so you can start right away. This is great if you want to try out new ideas. Lots of people use 3D printing to make samples or test shapes.

But it’s slow. Each part can take hours. The parts may not be extreme, but they can also feel rough or bumpy. And 3D printers can break or stop working during the print.

Can You Use Injection Molding to Make Test Parts

Yes, you can use molding for test parts, too. But it only makes sense if you need more than one or two. You can use a soft, low-cost mold called bridge tooling.

This helps you test with real plastic. You can check how strong the part is, how it fits with other parts, and how it looks. This step helps you before making thousands of pieces later.

When Does Injection Molding Cost Less Than 3D printing

It depends on how many parts you want. But here are some easy ideas to remember:

• Under 100 parts: 3D printing is better.
• Between 250 and 2,000 parts: It depends; both could work.
• Over 2,000 parts: Injection-molding is cheaper.

This is because mold cost gets split between each part. The more parts you make, the less each one costs. This is called saving with big numbers.

Is Injection Molding the Best for Big Jobs

It is the best option when you want to make a lot of parts. It works really fast—one part can take just a few seconds to make.

Even though the mold is expensive, each part after that is very cheap. That’s why this way is used for making everyday things.

Some real injection moulding examples:

• Bumpers for cars
• Cases for phones
• LEGO toys and bricks
• Brushes for teeth
• Bottles and food containers

These injection molded items are strong and smooth. They also last a long time and look nice.

Why Doesn’t 3D Printing Work for Big Numbers

3D printing is slow and not made for big jobs. Each part takes time, and you can’t make much at once. If you need 1,000 parts, it can take many days or weeks.

Each part costs more, and the price doesn’t go down even if you print more. So 3D printing is best for small jobs, not big ones.

If you want to save money, use affordable injection molding when you need many parts simultaneously.

Good Design Make Injection Molding Cost Less

An innovative design makes molding faster, easier, and cheaper. But a tricky or bad design can make it slower and cost more.

Some good tips:

• Add small angles to help the part come out.
• Keep walls the same thickness.
• Use round corners instead of sharp ones.
• Avoid holes that go deep or are hard to shape.

These ideas make the mold simple. A simple mold is cheaper and faster to use, and a smart injection mold design saves money.

Talk to a plastic injection machine supplier or mold expert early in the project. They can help you make better parts and avoid mistakes.

Things to Do to Pick the Best Method

If you need only a few parts, 3D printing is quick and easy to start. If you need many parts, choose injection-molding. It saves you money when you make a lot.

Ask yourself:

• How many parts do I want?
• How fast do I need them?
• Do I need strong, real plastic?

Start with 3D printing to try your idea. Once you know it works, switch to a plastic injection mould design. Then you can make more parts faster and cheaper. Plan ahead. Keep your part design simple. Talk to people who know how to mold parts.

Top Plastic Molding Services

Micro molding: For Tiny EV Parts

This is for minimal parts. It works well for sensors, buttons, and tiny cases. The process is clean and fast. It is suitable for small tech items. It also helps make strong parts fast.

Vertical injection molding: For Special Shapes

This molding works for tall or odd-shaped items. It saves space and is very clean. It is the exact way and great for special shapes. This is easy and fast molding

Double color molding: Makes Parts Look Cool

This lets you make a part with two colors. It looks nice and is very tough. This process is suitable for covers, grips, or cases. It makes parts look nice and last a long

Go to QL-Custom Technology Ltd. They do it all, and they are quick, smart, and careful. You can have many kinds of molding services from them. They work fast and they can make tools just for you. This site is the most reliable and trusted by many big companies

FAQs

Which is better for many parts?

Injection-molding is better for large numbers. The cost of each part goes down when you make more.

Is the mold for molding expensive?

Yes, making a mold costs a lot. But once you have it, you can make many cheap parts.

Is 3D printing slow for lots of parts?

Yes, 3D printing takes more time if you want many parts. It makes each part one at a time.

Are the parts strong?

Yes, both ways can make strong parts. But injection-molding is better when you need robust and lasting parts..

Can I change designs fast with both?

Yes. You can.

People Also Ask

Is injection molding better for many parts?

Yes. Molding is better if you need a lot of the same part.

Is molding more expensive at first?

Yes. Making the mold is pricey. But once the mold is done, the parts made after are cheap and fast.

Which makes stronger parts?

Molding makes stronger parts. These parts can be used more and last longer.

Can both make custom parts?

Yes. Both can be used to make special shapes and designs.

Does molding use many kinds of plastic?

Yes. Molding can use soft, rigid, or bendy plastics. You can pick what works best.

Is molding suitable for making the same part over and over?

Yes. Molding is best for that. It makes the same part again and again very quickly.

Does molding take more time to begin?

Yes. Making the first mold takes time, but once that’s done, the rest is fast.

Is molding cheaper if you need many parts?

Yes. If you make a lot, each part is cheaper.

Do both need a design file?

Yes. Both need a file that shows the part’s shape. This file tells the machine what to do.

Can both use different colors?

Yes. You can pick plastic in many colors. Both ways let you make parts in colors you like.