Custom Plastic Injection Molding Service
Auto quote estimates for custom plastic molded prototypes and production runs. Virtually endless material and finishing options.
Expert engineering reviews and project management included with every order. ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, AS9100D, IATF 16949 certified. ITAR registered.
Injection Molding with Artemis 3D
Injection molding is the most cost-effective method for producing consistent, high-quality plastic parts at scale. It offers the highest variety of materials, colors, and finishing options compared to other manufacturing methods.
Artemis 3D's custom injection molding service provides on-demand prototype and production solutions. Through our vast supplier network, we find the right partner to mold your parts without design compromises and at the right price. Our team offers expert consultation and project management, with deep experience in every industry, including medical injection molding, liquid silicone rubber molding, domestic and international injection molding, as well as ITAR injection molding for sensitive projects.
Artemis 3D turns the complex nature of injection molding into a simple process. To get started, simply upload your 3D CAD file to the Artemis 3D Instant Quoting Engine. Most projects qualify for an auto-quoted estimate, allowing you to budget and plan your project accordingly without waiting for responses.
Injection Molding Services Capabilities
Comprehensive capabilities for custom plastic injection molding
| Capability | Details |
|---|---|
| Lead Time | As fast as 5 business days; 3 weeks is typical for most projects |
| Production Options | Domestic and international |
| Materials | Most plastics, including custom sourcing and matching; see materials list below |
| Machines & Tooling | Single, multi-cavity, and family molds; 50 to 3,700+ ton presses; automated side actions or hand-loaded cores |
| Inspection and Certification Options | ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, IATF 16949 UL, ITAR, and ISO 7 and 8 Medical Clean Rooms; FAI and PAPP available |
| Tool Ownership | Customer-owned with mold maintenance |
| Mold Cavity Tolerances | +/- 0.005" when machining the mold and an additional +/- 0.002" per inch when calculating for shrink rate |
| Part to Part Repeatability | +/- 0.004" or less |
| Critical Feature Tolerances | Tighter tolerances can be requested and may increase the cost of tooling because of additional sampling and grooming. Artemis 3D will mill to a steel-safe condition on critical features. |
| Mold Classes | Steel and aluminum tooling with production grades range from Class 105 (prototype) to Class 101 (extremely high production) molds |
How Custom Plastic Injection Molding Works
The plastic injection molding process requires an injection molding machine, raw plastic material, and a machined mold. The raw plastic material is first melted in the injection unit and is then injected into the mold—most often machined from steel or aluminum—where it cools and solidifies into the final plastic part.
At Artemis 3D, we first review your plastic injection molding online quote and parts for manufacturability, then consult with you to ensure your specifications, lead time, and price fit your project needs. We use your 3D CAD to CNC machine a high-quality injection mold.
Once the molded parts are created, Artemis 3D sends samples (T1) for approval. Once the mold is refined and approved, Artemis 3D begins production. We use this process to mold everything from the smallest medical insert up to large automotive, aerospace, and defense parts.
Injection Molding Materials
Vast array of rigid plastic and elastomer materials for any application
Rigid Plastic Materials
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
High-strength general-purpose engineering plastic, used for many commercial products.
ASA
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate
A material very similar to ABS with higher resistance to fading and better suited for outdoor use.
CA
Cellulose Acetate
Typically used in eyeglasses and film, CA is a flexible clear material that can be used in food contact.
HDPE
High-Density Polyethylene
Excellent strength-to-weight ratio and chemical resistance. Often used for fuel tanks, connector insulators, and food containers.
LCP
Liquid Crystal Polymer
LCP has mechanics even at elevated temperatures as well as low dielectric constants. Popular for electrical connectors and medical devices.
LDPE
Low-Density Polyethylene
A flexible and tough material with lower density versus HDPE. Useful for trays, snap lids, and general-purpose containers.
PA 6
Polyamide 6, Nylon 6
Offers increased mechanical strength, rigidity, good stability under heat, and/or chemical resistance.
PA 6/6
Polyamide 6/6, Nylon 6/6
Offers increased mechanical strength, rigidity, good stability under heat, and/or chemical resistance.
PARA
Polyarylamide
Often combined with infills such as glass or mineral fibers, PARA creates rigid parts with low creep. Excellent for structural components in handheld and medical electronics.
PBT
Polybutylene Terephthalate, Valox
A common electronic insulator with a polyester base. Highly used in automotive as a longer-wear alternative to nylon.
PBT-PET
Polybutylene Terephthalate-Polyethylene Terephthalate
A compounded blend of PBT and PET.
PC
Polycarbonate
A clear or colored, lightweight, glass-like plastic that is heavily used across multiple industries. Impact resistant and holds great feature detail.
PC-ABS
Polycarbonate-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
The best of both PC and ABS. Higher-strength engineering thermoplastic with slightly more flexibility than standard polycarbonate.
PC-PBT
Polycarbonate-Polybutylene Terephthalate, Xenoy
A tough and rigid material resistant to lubricants, solvents, and cleaning agents. Very common in electronic enclosures.
PC-PET
Polycarbonate-Polyethylene Terephthalate
A blend of PC and PET provides tough and chemically resistant results. Endures harsh solvents and cleaners, making it excellent for sports equipment and healthcare applications.
PCT
Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate
A thermoplastic polyester that typically outperforms PET due to lower moisture absorption and better environmental stability. Often used for connectors and switches.
PE
Polyethylene
One of the most common plastics used in the world, PE has high ductility, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. Used in packaging, tubing, films, bottles, and more.
PEEK
Polyether Ether Ketone
Offering excellent tensile strength that surpasses most plastics, PEEK is often used as a lightweight substitute for metal parts in high-temperature, high-stress applications.
PEI
Polyetherimide, Ultem
Known best for its extremely high heat and flame resistance, PEI is used for many medical applications and is more affordable than PEEK.
PE-PP
Polyethylene-Polypropylene
A resin blend of the polyolefin's polypropylene and polyethylene.
PE-PS
Polyethylene-Polystyrene
A resin blend of the polyethylene and polystyrene.
PES
Polyethersulfone
A rigid, transparent plastic that is chemically inert, biocompatible, and sterilizable. Suitable for food-contact devices and aerospace applications.
PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate, Rynite
Also abbreviated PETE, this is a clear, strong, and lightweight PE resin heavily used in food packaging, soda bottles, jars, and more. The material is food-safe and recyclable.
PLA
Polylactic Acid
A biodegradable and renewable plastic. PLA has a relatively low glass transition temperature and is common in short-use applications.
PMMA
Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylic
A clear glass-like plastic. Good wear and tear properties. Great for outdoor use.
POM
Acetal Polyoxymethylene, Delrin
Good moisture resistance, high wear-resistance, and low friction.
PP
Polypropylene
Polypropylene has excellent electrical properties and little or no moisture absorption. It can be molded into parts requiring chemical or corrosion resistance.
PPA
Polyphthalamide
A subset of nylons (polyamide) that typically exhibit a higher melting point and lower moisture absorption. Good for fuel and fluid manifolds and headlight housings.
PPS
Polyphenylene Sulfide, Ryton
A high-performance thermoplastic with extreme resistance to solvents.
PS
Polystyrene
A clear, hard, and brittle material widely used for food packaging, clamshell containers, and even disposable cutlery.
PS-PPE
Polystyrene-Polyphenyl Ethers, Noryl
Exhibiting high heat and flame resistance, PPE-PS has high stiffness and tensile strength even at elevated temperatures.
PSU
Polysulfone, Udel
A rigid, stiff, and transparent plastic which is a higher-performance alternative to polycarbonate.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (Shore D)
A rigid, general-use plastic that is common in plumbing, non-food packaging, and trimming.
PVDF
Polyvinylidene Fluoride, Kynar
A chemically inert, high-temperature material. Due to its low friction, PVDF is used in plumbing parts, bearings, chemical handling, electrical wire insulation, and tubing.
SAN
Styrene Acrylonitrile
A polystyrene that is heat resistant and transparent. Common in household goods, door handles, and kitchenware.
TPO
Thermoplastic Polyolefin
A flexible plastic with good chemical resistance but lower temperature resistance compared to PP.
TPU
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Shore D)
A tough, highly abrasion-resistant resin that bridges the gap between rubbers and plastics. Ideal for wheels and door panels.
Elastomer and Rubber Molded Materials
Elastomeric parts can be manufactured through injection molding, transfer molding, or compression molding. When getting a quote through Artemis 3D, our team can help you decide the best method based on the part geometry, estimated annual volume, and the type of material required.
EPDM
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber (Viton)
One of the highest performing rubber elastomers with high heat resistance, chemical resistance, and moisture sealing properties. Commonly found in automotive seals, gaskets, O-rings, and electrical insulators.
PEBA
Polyether Block Amide
A soft, flexible, plastic or elastomer used for medical devices such as catheters. PEBA foams are used for padding, shoe insoles, and sports equipment. Resistant to moisture and UV exposure.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (Shore A)
A soft rubber-like, general use elastomer, that is common in outdoor products, protective films, and mats. Flame retardant due to self-extinguishing properties.
TPE
Thermoplastic Elastomer
A broad class of elastomers that behave like a thermoset with high flex and elasticity but process like a thermoplastic through molding. TPE is an umbrella term for many unique elastomer classes.
TPU
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Shore A)
A tough, highly abrasion-resistant elastomer that bridges the gap between rubbers and plastics. Ideal for flexible tires, skateboard wheels, and weatherproof gaskets.
TPV
Thermoplastics Elastomer, Vulcanized Rubber (Santoprene)
An excellent elastomer with high versatility due to temperature resistance, compression, and elasticity.
LSR
Liquid Silicone Rubber
Silicones are versatile rubber materials offering food and biocompatibility, extreme heat resistance, and excellent flexibility. LSR is used for medical devices, automotive, aerospace, and consumer products.
If you do not see the material stock you are looking for, please choose "Other" under the material drop-down on your quote page and submit for an expert engineering review once you have specified features, tolerances, inspection needs, and quantities required.
Injection Mold Finishes & Post-Processing Options
Various surface finishes and post-processing options available
Standard Finish
Moldmaker's choice of finish. Typically SPI B-2, depending on geometry and drafts. Interior, non-cosmetic faces, are typically as-machined.
SPI Finishes
Range of Society of Plastics Industry (SPI) finishes from Grade 3 diamond / high polish to 320 stone low polish. Finishes include: SPI A-1, SPI A-2, SPI A-3, SPI B-1, SPI B-2, SPI B-3, SPI C-1, SPI C-2, SPI C-3, SPI D-1, SPI D-2, and SPI D-3
MoldTech Finishes
Range of finishes including matte, swirls, lines, and patterns. Our most common texture finishes include: MoldTech MT11010, MoldTech MT11020, and MoldTech MT11030. Other textured finishes can be added by request.
VDI Finishes
VDI 3400 Surface Finish (commonly known as VDI surface finish) refers to the mold texture standard set by Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI), the Society of German Engineers. This is mainly processed by EDM machining, producing fine to coarse matte finishes.
As Molded
No secondary polishing or grinding. Part will show tooling marks.
Threaded Inserts
We can install most commonly used standard inserts in UNF and metric sizes.
Pad Printing
Transfer a 2D image onto a 3D part. All images are subject to review.
Laser Engraving
Engrave part numbers, logos, and more onto your parts.
Assembly
Artemis 3D can assemble and label injection molded parts. Discuss your needs with your Artemis 3D representative.
Applications and Advantages
Rapid Prototyping
Low-cost tooling options allow for rapid injection molding, enabling us to produce parts as fast as 5 business days at affordable prices.
Production Parts
Injection molding is an ideal solution for end-use production parts, delivering superior performance over CNC machined or 3D printed equivalents. A vast selection of resins allows parts to be tailored for specific properties and solvent compatibility.
Range of Industries
Our molding services are ready to meet your qualification and quality requirements. We offer ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, UL, ITAR, and ISO 7 and 8 Medical Clean Room molding.
Custom Injection Moldings Design Guidelines
Optimize your designs for manufacturability
| Feature | Tip |
|---|---|
| Undercuts | Reduce undercuts, which will increase the complexity and cost of the tool ejection mechanisms, by adding in pass-thru coring. |
| Wall Thickness | Prevent wall sink and voids by maintaining an even wall thickness. Thinner walls reduce cycle time and reduce costs. |
| Drafts | Ensure parts are designed with a minimum draft angle of 0.5°, or up to 5°, for faces with medium textures. |
| Ribs/Gussets | Ribs should be 40-60% the thickness of outer walls and should still maintain draft. |
| Bosses | Bosses should be designed at a depth of 30% the wall thickness and with a 30% edge groove. Attach them to side walls or ribs for structural integrity. |
Injection Molding FAQs
What industries use injection molding?
Injection molding is used across a wide range of industries including aerospace, medical devices, consumer goods, energy, electronics, automotive, robotics, toys, and more.
What is the difference between molding and printing?
With the molding process, plastic or metal parts are created inside a mold. They are then removed from the mold as fully-formed parts. 3D printing, on the other hand, is an additive manufacturing process, meaning that the part is built layer-by-layer using processes like deposition or sintering.
What is the process after ordering?
After receiving the order, the statement of work is reviewed by one of our manufacturing engineers. A case manager is assigned, and an appropriate manufacturing supplier is identified. A comprehensive DFM/PEG report is created and provided for approval. Upon approval, tooling and mold production is commenced. T1 samples are produced and shipped for approval. Upon approval, the remaining parts are made.
Who owns the tool?
At Artemis 3D, our customers own their injection mold tools! After a run is complete, the tool will remain at our facilities. Tools can be shipped to you upon request; however, you will be responsible for any associated shipping and packaging costs. Our engineers will work with you regarding tool compatibility with your equipment if you're unsure.
Can you run different colors of the same material?
Yes, multiple colors can be run even on the same order! When running multiple colors on the same order, a purge charge will be added.
Additional Artemis 3D Molding Services
Insert Molding Service
Make Strong, Functional Prototypes and Production Parts With Insert Molding
Learn MoreOvermolding Service
Get high-quality custom overmolded products. Choose from a wide selection of materials and finishes.
Learn MoreMetal Injection Molding Service
Get Complex Small-Sized Metal Parts in High Volume With Artemis 3D.
Learn MoreLiquid Silicone Rubber Molding
Manufacture custom silicone prototypes and end-use production parts in 15 days or less.
Learn MoreMedical Injection Molding Service
High-quality Injection Molded Parts Including ISO 13485 Certified Medical Device Manufacturing.
Learn MoreWhy Use Artemis 3D Injection Mold Services?
Endless Options
Choose from millions of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.
Easy to Use
Get your parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.
Vetted Network
We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, AS9100D, and IATF 16949 certified. Only the top shops that apply to become suppliers make it through our qualification process.
Instant Pricing and Lead Time Estimates
Streamline your budgeting and procurement process with the Artemis 3D Instant Quoting Engine. Upload your 3D CAD files to receive an auto-quoted estimate for pricing and lead times, allowing you to plan your project without the typical delays of waiting for a manual quote.
Built-In Tool Management
Artemis 3D's platform has built-in features that make managing tooled projects a breeze, giving customers greater transparency into production.
Find all your tooling quotes and orders in one space with your Tool Library. From there, you can explore their Tool Detailspage, which covers the current status, milestones, tool specifics, and activity related to that tool. You can also easily find and contact the Artemis 3D team member assigned to your project, no matter the project's current phase.
Industries We Serve
Injection molding serves diverse industries worldwide
Ready to Start Your Injection Molding Project?
Upload your CAD files and get instant pricing on custom plastic injection molded parts. Expert engineering reviews and project management included with every order.