Manufacturing / INSIGHTS
How much does an injection mould cost?
An injection mould is quoted against a particular part and production requirement. Geometry, cavity count, resin, finish and output can change the scope substantially. The most useful starting point is a clear tooling specification, followed by comparable supplier quotations—not a single price applied to every mould.
Compare tool scope before comparing price
A simple bridge tool and a complex multi-cavity system solve different production problems. Use the comparison below to decide what your quotation needs to cover. The toolmaker should confirm the price against your geometry, material, quality requirements and expected demand.
| Tool scope | What changes the quotation | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Simple single-cavity or bridge tool | Part geometry, insert construction and manual operations | Trial objective, expected batches and scope for changes |
| Production tool | Cooling, precision, durability and finish requirements | Accepted output, cycle time and maintenance |
| Complex or multi-cavity system | Cavities, slides, feed system and automation | Forecast demand, process balance and lifetime requirements |
The specification determines the quote
Two quotes for the same CAD file may describe different tools. Check cavity count, mould base, insert material, expected output, cooling concept, feed system, ejection, texture and the number of trial rounds included. A lower tool price can conceal a slower cycle or extra manual handling.
A side hole may need a slide or a later drilling operation. Either can be reasonable: the trade-off depends on total quantity, cycle time and the cost of inspecting the feature. Review that choice before releasing the tool.
Calculate the cost per accepted part
Calculation example only—not a MILOSSI price or a supplier quotation: assume a tool cost of €18,000. Allocating that amount over 3,000 accepted parts adds €6 per part; over 30,000 it adds €0.60. These figures exclude resin, conversion, rejects, assembly and maintenance. Replace the assumed tool cost with your actual quotation and use quantities you reasonably expect to sell.
Suppose a second tool costs €12,000 more but reduces the variable cost by €0.40. The simple break-even is 30,000 accepted units. That comparison is useful only if both tools deliver the same specification, quality and availability; it also ignores financing and demand risk.
Put these items in the request for quotation
Issue one revision-controlled package to every supplier. Ask for assumptions to be listed rather than silently replaced by a cheaper specification.
- 3D geometry, 2D critical dimensions and a nominated resin grade.
- Annual volume, batch size and forecast lifetime demand.
- Cosmetic surfaces, gate restrictions, texture and colour requirements.
- Trial quantities, dimensional reports and acceptance criteria.
- Tool ownership, storage, maintenance, transfer conditions and spare inserts.
- Separate prices for engineering changes, texture revisions and freight.
Approve samples, not just the tool invoice
A first-off sample establishes what the process actually produces. Check fit, finish and critical dimensions on parts made with the intended resin and documented settings. A polished prototype cannot establish moulded shrinkage or gate appearance.
Before paying the final milestone, close the agreed sample issues and record the accepted revision. If demand is uncertain, compare the full launch cost against a smaller bridge tool or a different process. The lowest unit cost is not always the best first-order decision.
Common questions
Does each part need its own mould?
Often, but a family mould may produce different compatible parts together. Balance, resin, colour, quantities and quality requirements determine whether that makes sense.
Does paying for a mould give me ownership?
Ownership and transfer rights depend on the agreed commercial terms. Confirm them explicitly, including the files, inserts and equipment needed to use the tool elsewhere.
Further reading
Technical background. The worked scenarios above are illustrative planning models, not quotations from these sources.
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