Factors Affecting the Cost of an Injection Mold

  1. Complexity of the Part Design
    • More complex designs require more intricate mold features(such as side actions, collapsible cores, and inserts), increasing both design and manufacturing time (EDM…).
  2. Size of the Mold
    • Larger molds require more material(larger frame and larger core) and larger machinery, which increases material cost and CNC machining cost.
  3. Number of Cavities
    • Molds with more cavities can produce more parts per cycleand lowers unit cost.  But mold cost will be higher.
  4. Material of the Mold
    • High-quality, durable materials such as mirror polished, hardened steel are more expensive than P20 or aluminum but offer longer mold life.
  5. Tolerances and Precision
    • Higher precision and tighter tolerances require more meticulous manufacturing processes, increasing costs.
  6. Surface Finish Requirements
    • Special surface finishes, such as high polish or textured surfaces, add to the cost.
  7. Parting Line Complexity
    • Complex parting lines require more detailed mold design and manufacturing, increasing costs.
  8. Cooling System Design
    • Efficient cooling systems reduce cycle times but add complexity and cost to the mold.
  9. Ejection Mechanism
    • The type and complexity of the ejection mechanism (e.g., ejector pins, plates, air ejection) affect the mold cost.
  10. Mold Base
    • The mold base size and material also contribute to the overall cost.
  11. Hot Runner System
    • Application for these scenarios.(链一下
  12. Location of Manufacture
    • Manufacturing location affects labor costs, material availability, and shipping costs.

Simplified Cost Calculation Equation

A simplified cost calculation for an injection mold can be expressed as:

Mold Cost=Base Cost+(Cavity Cost×Number of Cavities)+Complexity Cost+Material Cost+Labor Cost+Additional Features Cost

Where:

  • Base Cost: The initial cost for the mold base and basic setup.
  • Cavity Cost: The cost per cavity, which includes machining and finishing.
  • Number of Cavities: The number of cavities in the mold.
  • Complexity Cost: The additional cost based on the complexity of the part design and mold features.
  • Material Cost: The cost of the material used for the mold (e.g., steel, aluminum).
  • Labor Cost: The cost of labor required for designing, manufacturing, and assembling the mold.
  • Additional Features Cost: The cost for any extra features like side actions, special cooling systems, etc.
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