How to Design for Injection Moulding

Injection Moulded Chess Piece

Injection moulding is a very common manufacturing technology for the mass-production of plastic parts. If you look at the plastic parts around you, it is more likely than not, that they will be injection moulded.

Tooling for injection moulding can be expensive, depending upon the complexity of the mould. A mould can cost from $3,000 to $100,000 or more depending on the size and complexity of the part. However, after the initial tooling investment the parts are; low cost, highly repeatable, and with good tolerances. Because of the initial cost of tooling, it is often not a cost-effective solution for low volumes.

To achieve the full benefits of this manufacturing process; certain design guidelines should be followed. This article will explain best practice for injection moulding, however as a design engineer myself I know it is not always possible to follow all these guidelines exactly. When this scenario occurs, there is always a solution, however it often means a slightly more expensive tool and/or part cost. This is often a compromise we must strike as engineers to find the best all-round product solution.

Add a Draft to Vertical Walls

To allow the part to eject from the mould easily a draft angle must be added to all vertical walls. This reduces wear on the tool and reduces the possibility of drag marks on the surface of the part.

  • A good rule of thumb is 1 degree of draft for every 25mm of cavity depth.
  • Ideally with a minimum of 2 degrees.
  • Also, the draft may need to be increased if you want a more textured surface finish.
Add Draft Angle in Injection Moulding

Uniform Wall Thickness

uniform wall thickness ensures consistent cosmetic and strength of parts. Too thick and you may have unsightly sink marks, warp or internal voids. Too thin and the molten plastic may harden before filling the mould (i.e. voids in the part). If different thicknesses are required, then make the transition as smooth as possible. All of this ensures the material can flow as easily and consistently within the mould.

Uniform Wall Thickness for Injection Moulding

The following are recommended wall thickness for different materials:

MaterialRecommended Wall Thickness (mm)
General Rule of Thumb1.2 – 3.0
ABS1.1 – 3.5
Acetal (POM)0.6 – 3.8
Liquid Crystal Polymer0.75 – 3.0
Long-Fibre Reinforced Plastics1.9 – 25.4
Nylon (PA 6)0.75 – 3.0
Polycarbonate (PC)1.0 – 4.0
Polyester0.6 – 3.2
Polyethylene (PE)0.75 – 5.0
Polyethylene Sulfide0.5 – 4.5
Polypropylene (PP)0.6 – 3.8
Polystyrene (PS)0.9 – 4.0
Polyurethane (PUR)2.0 – 20
PC/ABS1.2 – 3.5
Silicon1.0 – 10

From my experience, if you need a wall thickness out with the above guidelines. Then it is often possible if you engage in conversation with the manufacturer. It may mean a compromise on material choice or a different method of heating/cooling the tool for instance. It all comes at a cost of course, but most things are possible.

Shell Out Thick Sections

Thick sections can be shelled to help achieve the above guidelines. Ribs can be added to increase part strength. Guidelines for rib design are as follows:

  • Ribs should have a maximum thickness of 0.5 times the wall thickness.
  • Ribs should have a maximum height of 3 times the wall thickness.
  • Ribs should have rounded edges to help avoid sink marks.
Shell Out in Injection Moulding

Avoid Undercuts

Undercuts are one of the primary elements you will need to consider as the designer of injection moulded parts. The simplest mould would be a straight-pull mould and consists of two halves. Features with undercuts would prevent the part from exiting the mould and so should be avoided.

If undercuts cannot be avoided, it is sometimes possible to design in features to the mould to allow undercuts, however this will add complexity and cost to the mould. It may also add additional parting lines to the finished part.

Another approach could be an additional sliding core to the mould. This adds complexity and cost, however, is relatively routine and often required. If you opt for this approach, you will also need to consider appropriate draft angles for the core.

Here are a few potential solutions to undercuts:

Avoid Undercuts with Injection Moulding

Round Edges

Sharp edges cause strength concentrations in the part and impede material flow within the mould. For best results round all edges.

  • Internal edges should be rounded to a minimum of 0.5 times the wall thickness.
  • External edges should be rounded to a minimum of 1.5 times the wall thickness.
Round Edges in Injection Moulding

Adding Text or Logos

Text and Logos are a common feature to include in injection moulding. It is easier to have embossed text (raised) rather than recessed, because it is easier to machine, however either option if possible. For best results:

  • Emboss text by 0.5mm.
  • A minimum font height of 5mm is best.
Adding Text and Logo for Injection Moulding

Thread Features

There are two main ways to add a thread into an injection moulded part. Each method has its merits and is suited to different applications.

Moulded Thread

A moulded thread is a thread moulded directly into the tool (an example of this is a bottle lid). Because the thread creates undercuts, then in order to remove the part from the tool, the thread will need to be unscrewed. For this reason, the tool will need to be more complex and costly.

Generally, this will be best suited to larger threads on a simpler overall part.

Bosses

Bosses are very common method of creating an attachment point in injection moulding. They are simply cylindrical extrusions that can accommodate a self-tapping screw, metal threaded insert or feature from another part.

Metal threaded inserts can be added into the boss by ultrasonic, thermal or in-mould insertion. These allow machine threads and are well suited to higher load applications or which require many cycles of assembly and disassembly.

Best design practice for bosses are as follows:

  • Outside diameter 2 times the internal diameter.
  • Add chamfer to guide screw or insert into hole.
  • The hole should extend to the wall level.
Thread Feature for Injection Moulding

Snap-fit Joints

Snap-fit joints are a common and cost-effective method of joining two parts without fasteners. They can be tricky to design to provide the correct assembly force and retention, so best to consult with the manufacturer unless you have a lot of experience with this.

Remember to apply all previous rules of wall thicknesses and undercuts, although it is possible to include an undercut for snap-fits, it does require additional tool complexity.

Try to keep the snap-fit thickness a minimum of 0.5 times the wall thickness.

SNAP Fit Joints for Injection Moulding

Living Hinges

Living hinges are thin pieces of plastic that join two segments to allow it to bend and flex (lid of a plastic ketchup bottle). If designed well, they can last for many tens of thousands of cycles before failure. However, it can be difficult to design a reliable living hinge and best to ask your manufacturer for advice if you are not experienced.

There are many sources on the web for how to design a living hinge for injection moulding, but some basic rules of thumb include:

  • Recommended wall thickness of 0.25-0.35mm
  • Flexible materials such as Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) and Nylon (PA) are good choices.
  • Before going to production, best to prototype the living hinge on a CNC machine.
  • Hinges longer than 150mm should be divided to improve lifespan.
Living Hinges in Injection Moulding

Surface Finish

Surface finishes can significantly affect the look of the finished part. They can also affect the mechanical properties of the part as friction will increase as average surface finish (Ra) increases. This friction will also lead to increased wear on the tool and so more generous draft angles maybe required.

FinishSPI* StandardFinishing MethodTypical Surface Roughness Ra (μm)
Super High GlossyA-1Grade #3, 6000 Grit Diamond Buff0.012 – 0.025
High GlossA-2Grade #6, 3000 Grit Diamond Buff0.025 – 0.05
Normal GlossyA-3Grade #15, 1200 Grit Diamond Buff0.05 – 0.10
Fine Semi-GlossyB-1600 Grit Paper0.05 – 0.10
Medium Semi-GlossyB-2400 Grit Paper0.10 – 0.15
Normal Semi-GlossyB-3320 Grit Paper0.28 – 0.32
Fine MatteC-1600 Grit Stone0.35 – 0.40
Medium MatteC-2400 Grit Stone0.45 – 0.55
Normal MattC-3320 Grit Stone0.63 – 0.70
Satin TexturedD-1Dry Blast Glass Bead #110.80 – 1.00
Dull TexturedD-2Dry Blast #240 Oxide1.00 – 2.80
Rough TexturedD-3Dry Blast #24 Oxide3.20 – 18.0
As MachinedFinished to the Machinist’s Discretion3.20 (with visible machining marks)

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