1 Topic by Heartlander

  • Heartlander
  • Heartlander
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  • From: Kent from Kansas City
  • Registered: 2013-06-23
  • Posts: 904

Topic: Anyone done any injection molding?

Not sure if this is the exact right forum folder for this but...

I am interested in getting production quotes to have some of my models injection molded. I have gotten some guidelines online like how to watch wall thickness, wall inclines to help parts pop out of the mild, etc. but I'd really like a basic run down of key issues from someone who has BTDT.

Are there preferred companies that are geared toward small runs, inventors, noobs, etc? Companies to avoid?

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

Heartlander's Website

2 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
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  • Registered: 2012-10-11
  • Posts: 6,048

Re: Anyone done any injection molding?

www.protomold.com was very friendly and helpful when I considered getting hoppers made. Ultimately I decided to print them myself, as the tooling costs were pretty high. They offer free design advice, though.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

3 Reply by IronMan

  • IronMan
  • IronMan
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  • From: SC
  • Registered: 2012-09-14
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Re: Anyone done any injection molding?

Here are some sites to check out...

http://www.quickparts.com/learningcente … esign.aspx
http://www.xcentricmold.com/design_guidelines.php
http://www.solidconcepts.com/resources/ … uidelines/

Some of the basics to be aware of are things like no inner voids or otherwise unfillable features.  the basic molding process is 2 halves of the mold opening in 1 axis.  These create the simplest of parts and are the lowest cost for the tooling.  Models incorporating features like holes or slots going sideways to the opening axis will call for the mold to have operating "slides" and will be more costly.

While modeling, try to visualize the part ejection process, not having any "captured" features; like a horizontal stud sticking out in a vertical void.

1 degree draft is normal for side walls; 1.5 to 2 degrees for textured surfaces, which I highly recommend to hide surface aberrations.

As far as prototype molding services, you can Google them, but in the U.S. it is rather costly.  I do most of my stuff in China when necessary...

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!