Plastic Injection Molding

**FrioGott** · 05-12-2009 11:17 PM

I was wondering if any of you know what a good brand is for plastic injection machines. I have seen a few on ebay, but most are $25,000+. If I am shelling out that kind of money, I want to make sure it is a reliable brand. Also, would anyone know how big of a plastic injection machine I would need for parts that are no bigger that about 10inX10inX10in? Also, if any of you know of any companies that would manufacture the molds for me for relatively cheap. The cheapest I have found on the net was starting at ~$1,500 for extremely simple parts.

**Ergo1** · 05-13-2009 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by FrioGott

I was wondering if any of you know what a good brand is for plastic injection machines. I have seen a few on ebay, but most are $25,000+. If I am shelling out that kind of money, I want to make sure it is a reliable brand. Also, would anyone know how big of a plastic injection machine I would need for parts that are no bigger that about 10inX10inX10in? Also, if any of you know of any companies that would manufacture the molds for me for relatively cheap. The cheapest I have found on the net was starting at ~$1,500 for extremely simple parts.

Chances are you will be better off outsourcing this to an established company for now who has accrued years of experience in the industry. Plastic injection molded parts of that dimension should be around $100-$200 at large quantities. Make sure you are giving the manufacturers a good lead time and let them know of any critical specifications. Ask them to break down the cost for you and discuss any possible redesign for cost breaks.

**Neustance** · 05-13-2009 02:31 AM

Hi FrioGott,
Just sent you a PM with more info.

I may be judging wrongfully your exact needs but I will have to agree with ergo. Unless you are familiar with the necessary maintenance, operation procedures, and expenses of a plastic mold unit I suggest you outsource the work to an overseas factory. Operating this type of machinery should be seen as an investment, its really not the best solution if your looking to save money by producing small product batches on your own.

Anyways, are you looking only for the mold or the actual machinery? It depends the complexity of your pieces.

Will be looking forward in your reply, Ill be glad to offer any help I can.

Francisco
Wirelession Electronics
www.wirelession.com

**save364** · 05-13-2009 10:06 AM

Van Dorn is the best US made injection molding machines. If you buy a used 300 ton press you can usually get a price of about $15K

**save364** · 05-13-2009 10:07 AM

I forgot do not buy Japanese models, they always break down and it takes forever to get replacement parts

**FrioGott** · 05-13-2009 10:25 AM

Neustance & Ergo1: I think that is what I will end up doing. I wanted to keep as much of my products and components built here in America, but it seems much easier and insanely cheaper to outsource. Though I may be paying for quality, I guess we will see. The company I was looking at for now is called Epsilon Industries (Epsilon | Plastic Injection Molding), they are based out of California, and seem to be about average on the price of other companies I have looked at. They also give you ownership of the molds after they make them.

The parts I will need to be made will be probably a smaller quantity at first, I haven't run the exact figures yet. Hopefully business will take off pretty quick. The parts are not too complex. Most of them are no more complex than an electrical box enclosure. Also what is considered a large quantity? Or is that also depended upon complexity?

Save364: I will keep this in mind if I do intend to buy my own machine.

**roger** · 05-24-2009 04:52 AM

Hi FrioGott,

The estimated tonnage of the injection machine you are looking for is about 250 to 300 according to the part size of 10inX10inX10in. But, it is depended on the wall thickness and the raw material used for the part.

The following is the common and good brands for injection machine: Engel, Battenfeld, Demag, Arburg, Cincinnati（This is a brand in america). I agree with Francisco and Ergo that it is not economic to buy a injection machine for the small batch. The maintenance will be a problem.

Nowadays, more and more companys are sourcing the molds and molded parts from China with competitive price and high qulity service. It is good solution and more economic. The molds are also the property of the buyer and are able to transfer to America.

If possible, you can send the drawing to my mail box and I will provide a quote to you very soon. Thanks,

We offer:
Mold-making
Injection mouldings
Silk Screen Printing and Pad Printing
Painting
Assembly

Roger.Y
Project Manager
roger.yue#topmold.com.cn

**incredilution** · 05-27-2009 05:04 PM

Hey FrioGott,

I don't know if you have already headed down the path of sourcing your machine/parts but I just had a few things to add:

1. Injection molding is very capital intensive (as you know from the shopping you've been doing) and does not require much labor. Because of this, U.S. based companies can be quite competitive. I work with a manufacturer who sells injection-molded shoes they make on site (in the US). Even they send some of their business to a local molding shop. The molding shop is able to mold the parts at a lower cost than the shoe manufacturer can mold them for internally. Did I mention this is even after the mold shop has marked them up with profit!?

2. With your part being 10x10x10, your mold is going to be very heavy. You will need at least a several-ton electric gantry and some help or a healthy dose of perseverance and lots of pry bars / jacks / etc.

3. Because your parts are so large, it may not be cost effective to ship them from an overseas manufacturer. This is the catch-22 we face with some of our designs. The part is cheaper in China or India, but by the time you add the 45-60 day (depending on which port you bring it in) shipping time, customs, freight forwarding, the shipping cost, the hassle of dealing with overseas sourcing, and the quality, you're sometimes better off staying on shore. I am a huge advocate of overseas sourcing when it comes to smaller machined parts or electronic assemblies, but it doesn't always make good business sense. Evaluate both options of staying in the US vs outsourcing before you commit to anything.

Here is an article in regards to overseas sourcing:
www-incredilution-com/2009/01/made-in-china-is-sourcing-overseas-right-for-your-company/

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-Rob