Injection molding is a highly versatile manufacturing process. It is used to create components in a range of shapes and sizes for various industries and applications. A key element of the process is injection molds.
What Are Injection Molds?
Injection molds are hollow forms—typically made from stainless steel—into which molten plastic is injected to make the desired part or product. They have holes in the middle—referred to as mold cavities—in the shape of the part or product. In addition to the shape of the mold cavity, the number of mold cavities can vary depending on the number of different components or individual pieces that need to be produced during each cycle.
Single-Cavity vs. Multi-Cavity vs. Family Injection Molds
Injection molds can be classified into three main categories: single-cavity, multi-cavity, and family.
Single-Cavity Injection Molds
Single-cavity injection molds have a single hollow and can be used to produce one product at a time. They are an efficient, cost-effective option for production operations with low order volumes or parts that are oversized or complex. Single-cavity molds allow operators to devote more attention to each individual product to ensure there aren’t air bubbles, unfilled portions of the mold, or other potential flaws. These molds are also less costly than multi-cavity injection molds of the same part.
Multi-Cavity Injection Molds
Multi-cavity injection molds have multiple identical hollows. They enable manufacturers to inject molten plastic into all the hollows at once and create multiple products simultaneously. As a result, they offer shorter lead times for batches of goods, which increases production efficiency, reduces delays, and decreases costs for large-volume or expedited orders.
Family Injection Molds
Family injection molds are remarkably like multi-cavity molds. However, rather than having multiple identical hollows, each hollow has a different shape. Manufacturers can use these molds to produce prototypes or assorted products that are sold together in a single variety pack. This type of mold is convenient for producing assorted products made of the same elastomeric material. However, the hollows need to be carefully arranged and sized; if the family mold is imbalanced, the fluid won’t be injected evenly and may cause production flaws.
When to Use or Look for a Custom Injection Mold
While there are many standard injection molds available, there is not an appropriate existing mold for every project. Custom injection molds are necessary when an organization needs parts or products with:
- Exacting standards. Custom molds can be built to produce components that meet the customer’s exact requirements and restrictions. This is vital for parts and products used in highly regulated markets, such as aircraft pieces or medical devices.
- High precision requirements. Custom molds are specifically designed to suit the customer’s product and production demands, so they are more likely to make the desired components to the necessary specifications and volumes.
- Complex designs. Custom molds are not restricted to producing standard component designs. They can be tailored to accommodate any component shape or size, so they can be used to produce highly unique or complex parts and products.
Key Factors for Successful Mold Making Operations
Once you’ve decided that a custom mold is appropriate for your injection molding project, it is important to find the right custom mold making partner. Some of the factors to look for in a custom mold maker include:
- Superior design and engineering capabilities
- Quality mold making materials
- Modern manufacturing equipment
- Capacities for tight tolerances
- Commitment to lofty standards
High-Quality Custom Injection Molds From The V1 Mold Technology
Molds are an investment, which is why you want ones that are durable and dependable. For injection molds you can trust to provide superior performance in your injection molding operations, turn to The V1 Mold Technology. We offer quality tooling products and extensive molding services. To learn more about injection molding and injection molds, you can communicate with our engineers at any time. To get started on your solution, contact us today.
