Injection Moulding Design Guide
Injection moulding explained
Injection moulding enables the mass production of high precision plastic parts and is the mainstay technology behind plastics manufacturing.
At AAV Plastics, we have over 30 years of expertise in injection moulding and tool manufacture, delivering complete turnkey manufacturing solutions for clients across diverse industries. From initial concept and design through to tooling, moulding and finishing, we support projects at every stage. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your next injection moulding project.
At its most basic level, the injection moulding process works by heating polymer pellets, injecting the molten plastic into a closed mould, and cooling it to form a finished component, the mould then opens and ejects the part.
This repeatable cycle allows the production of millions of identical parts with outstanding dimensional stability. Injection moulding also offers design flexibility, enabling complex geometries, integrated features and strong, reliable components.
AAV Plastics stands out by combining technical expertise with a collaborative approach. We work with customers from concept to production, ensuring every part is designed for manufacture, performance, and cost-efficiency.
FAQs
Why is injection moulding used?
Injection moulding is a highly scalable process with excellent repeatability and low-unit cost.
A vast range of different materials can be used, masterbatch can be added to create almost any colour and property modifiers can be added to fit the particular needs of your use case.
What are the advantages of injection moulding?
Injection moulding can produce extremely intricate parts with tight tolerances. The process is also highly scalable allowing for large production runs.
It is comparatively cheap compared to other processes and requires less labour.
A wide range of materials can be used and property modifiers such as glass or UV stabilisers can be added to create the ideal properties for your use case.
Mouldings can also be matched to a specific RAL colour, this eliminates the need for finishing processes such as painting or powdercoating.
What types of plastics can be used in injection moulding?
A diverse range of plastics can be used in the injection moulding process from ABS to engineering polymers such as PEEK. Additives such as UV stabilisers and glass can be added to create the desired characteristics for your application.
You can find the perfect material for your product on MatWeb, a materials database.
Can injection moulding be used for small production runs?
Yes! Injection moulding can be used for small production runs. At AAV we can help you bring new products to market using our cost-effective kit tooling system, read more about it on our capabilities page.
This is perfect for market trials or technical validation!
What is the cost of injection moulding?
The cost of injection moulding varies drastically depending on the scope of the project. When creating a new moulding the most expensive capital expenditure is the tooling. The cost of tooling varies on the size and complexity of the moulding being produced but can start at as little as £1,000+ and can reach as much as £1,000,000+ for large and highly complex automotive tools. See our injection moulding design guide for more information.