How to Improve the Cost-Effectiveness of Injection Moulding Products

Posted on: 07/11/2024

Category: News

Becoming more cost-effective is the goal for many manufacturers, especially considering the increase in business costs over the past few years. Production is an area where costs can be reduced, particularly when you utilise plastic injection moulding.

Read on to discover how your company can stay ahead of the curve and maximise profitability.


Adopt Smart Design Strategies

The refresh of part design can be an important way of reducing expenditure and ensuring no efficiencies are being missed. It’s no secret that complex designs require more expensive moulds, and there are a few considerations which may help ease this:

  • Maintaining uniform wall thickness can enhance material flow and speed up cooling time.
  • Undercuts can slow down the production process and increase the risk of damage during the ejection process. Adding features such as draft angles, splitting parts or introducing snap-fits can reduce these risks.
  • Optimise cavities to increase production volume while decreasing the overall cost per part.

While it isn’t necessary to completely overhaul a design, it can help to see how elements can be amended to save in the long run.


Review Cosmetic Features

While functionality remains paramount, reviewing and simplifying aesthetic details can reduce expenses. Removing non-essential elements, such as logos or intricate text, can streamline production. If branding features are essential, try simplifying them with lower font depths or fewer design elements.

Textured surfaces, colour pigments, and additives can also impact costs by requiring additional tooling or prolonging production. Simplifying or removing these elements, where feasible, can yield cost savings without compromising the product’s appeal.


Consider New Materials

The plastic resin used in manufacturing can be a big factor to consider, with the following reflections recommended:

  • Raw material cost: Is your product using a material that is widely available and therefore cheaper?
  • Processing: Does your resin have good flow properties, therefore speeding up cycle times and lowering energy costs?
  • Recyclability: Is your resin easily recyclable and therefore incorporate recycled content?
  • Post-processing: Are the post-processing needs of your material choice minimal?

By selecting resins that balance performance requirements and cost considerations, your bottom line could see positive shifts.


Discover How You Could Save Today

With these improvements in mind, it’s always worthwhile to consult with your chosen plastic injection moulding supplier to discuss ways in which you could save.

At Chess Plastics, we provide expert support to offer bespoke solutions. Using our experience, we can give you recommendations on materials, tooling, and much more to help you reduce costs. If this sounds of interest to you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

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