Plastic Molding & Injection Price Calculator

Calculation, Projects

Free
No Download/Install required
No registration

https://www.custompartnet.com/estimate/injection-molding-std/

Great for rapid estimations of the cost of your next plastic injected part. It has a nice database of plastic properties and prices for a first comparison. It takes regrinding, waste, defects, controls and other parameters into account.

No rocket science, this is what we used to do in a spreadsheet, but nicely done here already, with convenient tool tips.

Note:

Use its menu to access a “Featured based” version of the tool, with less technical mandatory parameters and more guidance on long term tool versus rapid cheaper steel tool so as required precision and complexity
This version uses pounds & inches units only (the Featured Based version has metric also)

Remember that 80% of the part price is decided at the design stage. Nothing will replace your technological choices, design & value analyses (read our posts on these), and then the discussions and advises with your suppliers.

Disciplines: Plastics engineering, Mechanical engineering, Product design, Procurement, Manufacturing.

Free alternative to Xometry Instant Quote, Protolabs, aPriori.

Plastic Molding & Injection Price Calculator compared with Xometry Instant Quote, Protolabs and aPriori
Plastic Molding & Injection Price Calculator	Xometry Instant Quote	Protolabs	aPriori
Pricing approach: The calculator is a parameter-based estimate that accounts for regrinding, waste and defects. It gives a first cost comparison, not a supplier quote.	Pricing approach: Xometry Instant Quoting Engine returns an automatic price and lead time from an uploaded 3D CAD file. Engineers then review the statement of work and a DFM report before tooling starts.	Pricing approach: Protolabs gives interactive online quotes with live pricing and a design analysis of the 3D model. Mold cost depends on geometry and complexity.	Pricing approach: aPriori costs a CAD model against digital factories, each with its own process group, materials and cost data. It checks which routings are feasible and by default selects the most competitive.
Inputs: The user enters process and material parameters by hand. This version works in pounds and inches only, while the feature-based version also offers metric units.	Inputs: The user uploads 3D CAD files, picks a material from a drop-down and enters quantities. Other materials can be requested through an engineering review.	Inputs: The user uploads a 3D model to the quoting tool. The accepted CAD formats are not listed on the injection molding page.	Inputs: The main input is a CAD model plus settings such as process group, digital factory, material and production information.
	Capacity and scope: Presses range from 50 to over 3,700 tons, with single-cavity, multi-cavity and family molds in steel or aluminum. T1 samples can ship in as little as 5 business days.	Capacity and scope: The largest plastic part is listed as 18.9 x 29.6 x 8 in (480 x 751 x 203 mm). Over 100 thermoplastic and thermoset materials are available, with standard prototyping lead times as fast as 7 days.	Capacity and scope: The software is aimed at estimators, designers, production planners and management at suppliers. Bulk costing runs many parts and sites at once and is licensed separately.
			Integration and deployment: Cost data can be passed to PLM, ERP and CPQ systems through a reporting database. The vendor page refers to both SaaS and on-premise terms.

Topics covered: Plastic molding, injection molding, cost estimation, plastic properties, regrinding, waste management, defect analysis, quality control, design stage, technological choices, tool guidance, precision engineering, steel tooling, rapid prototyping, material selection, value analysis, supplier collaboration, ISO 9001, ASTM D638, ISO 11469, ISO 527, and ASTM D792..