Custom Plastic Injection Molding Services

How Custom Plastic Injection Molding Works

The plastic injection molding process requires an injection molding machine, plastic raw material, and a machined mold. Plastic raw material is heated and melted in the injection unit, injected into the mold (typically machined from steel or aluminum), and cooled to form the final plastic part. At KH-TAT, we first review your injection molding quote and part manufacturability online, then communicate with you to ensure specifications, lead times, and pricing meet project requirements. We use your provided 3D CAD model to manufacture high-quality injection molds through CNC machining. After the mold is built, samples (T1) are shipped for your review. After the mold is refined and approved, full production begins.

Through this process, we can manufacture everything from the smallest medical devices to large automotive, aerospace, and defense components.

Injection Molding Services Capabilities

This table depicts the general tolerances for Xometry’s plastic injection molding service and accounts for adequate draft, radii, and coring for manufacturability. Learn more about our injection molding manufacturing standards.

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 and then injected into the mold—most often machined from steel or aluminum—where it cools and solidifies into the final plastic part, and then finally ejected from the machine.

At Xometry, we can review your injection molding project for manufacturability and consult with you to ensure your specifications, lead time, and price fit your needs. We use your 3D CAD to CNC machine a high-quality injection mold. Once tooling is created, Xometry sends samples (T1) for approval. Once samples are approved, Xometry begins production. We use this process to mold everything from the smallest medical insert up to large automotive, aerospace, and defense parts.

Rigid Plastic Materials

KH-TAT offers a wide range of rigid plastic materials to meet various injection molding application needs:

• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene):High-strength general-purpose engineering plastic, widely used in commercial product manufacturing.
• ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate):Similar properties to ABS with higher fade resistance, suitable for outdoor applications.
• CA (Cellulose Acetate):Flexible transparent material, suitable for food contact products, commonly found in eyewear and film products.
• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene):Excellent strength-to-weight ratio and chemical resistance, suitable for fuel tanks, connector insulators, food containers and outdoor equipment.
• LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer):Maintains good mechanical properties at high temperatures with low dielectric constant, suitable for micro molding, thin-wall components, electrical connectors and medical devices.
• LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene):Flexible and durable, lower density than HDPE, does not react with acids, alkalis or alcohols. Suitable for trays, snap-on lids and general-purpose containers.
• PA6 (Polyamide 6 / Nylon 6):Offers high mechanical strength, rigidity and good heat and chemical resistance.
• PA6/6 (Polyamide 6/6 / Nylon 6/6):Superior mechanical strength, rigidity and heat/chemical resistance.
• PARA (Polyarylamide):Often blended with glass or mineral fibers, high rigidity, low creep and low water absorption. Suitable for handheld devices and medical electronics structural components.
• PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate / Valox):Common electronics insulator with better wear resistance than nylon, widely used in the automotive industry.
• PBT-PET:Composite blend of PBT and PET.
• PC (Polycarbonate):Transparent or colored lightweight plastic with high impact resistance, suitable for safety equipment, lenses and electronic components.
• PC-ABS:Combines PC strength with ABS toughness, slightly more flexible than standard polycarbonate.
• PC-PBT (Xenoy):Tough rigid material resistant to lubricants, solvents and cleaners, commonly found in electronics housings.
• PC-PET:Blend of PC and PET — tough, durable and chemical resistant. Can replace PC-ABS, suitable for sports equipment and healthcare applications.
• PCT (Polycyclohexylene Dimethylene Terephthalate):Thermoplastic polyester with low moisture absorption and good environmental stability, commonly used in connectors and switches.
• PE (Polyethylene):One of the most commonly used plastics worldwide. High ductility, wear resistance and chemical resistance. Graded by molecular weight into UHMW PE, LDPE, HDPE and more. Widely used in packaging, tubing, films and bottles.
• PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone):Tensile strength far exceeds most plastics. High temperature resistance, chemical resistance, wear resistance and moisture resistance. Often used as a lightweight alternative to metal components.
• PEI (Polyetherimide / Ultem):Extremely high heat and flame resistance, widely used in the medical field. Better cost-performance than PEEK.
• PE-PP:Polypropylene and polyethylene resin mixture.
• PE-PS:Polyethylene and polystyrene resin mixture.
• PES (Polyethersulfone):Rigid transparent plastic with chemical inertness, biocompatibility and sterilizability. Suitable for food contact equipment and areas with high chemical exposure risk.
• PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate / Rynite):Transparent, strong and lightweight polyethylene resin, food-safe and recyclable. Widely used in food packaging, soda bottles and glass jars.
• PLA (Polylactic Acid):Biodegradable and renewable plastic with a low glass transition temperature. Suitable for short-use products.
• PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate / Acrylic / Acrylate):Transparent glass-like plastic with good wear resistance, suitable for outdoor use.
• POM (Polyoxymethylene / Acetal / Delrin):Good moisture resistance, high wear resistance and low friction coefficient.
• PP (Polypropylene):Excellent electrical properties, extremely low moisture absorption, can carry light loads for extended periods. Suitable for chemical-resistant parts.
• PPA (Polyphthalamide):A subset of nylon with high melting point, low moisture absorption and resistance to highly corrosive chemicals. Suitable for fuel lines, fluid lines and headlight housings.
• PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide / Ryton):High-performance thermoplastic with excellent solvent resistance.
• PS (Polystyrene):Transparent, hard and brittle material. Widely used in food packaging, clamshell containers and disposable tableware.
• PS-PPE (Noryl):High heat and flame resistance, maintains high stiffness and tensile strength at elevated temperatures.
• PSU (Polysulfone / Udel):Rigid, hard and transparent plastic, a high-performance alternative to polycarbonate.
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride):Rigid general-purpose plastic commonly found in piping, non-food packaging and decorative materials.
• PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride / Kynar):Chemically stable with high temperature resistance and low friction coefficient. Suitable for piping components, bearings, chemical handling, wire insulation and tubing.
• SAN (Styrene-Acrylonitrile Copolymer):Heat-resistant transparent polystyrene, low cost with high transparency and gloss. Widely used in household goods, door handles and kitchenware.
• TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin):Flexible plastic with good chemical resistance, lower temperature resistance than PP.
• TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane):Tough, wear-resistant resin combining rubber and plastic properties. Can be formulated as rigid or elastomeric, with high fracture toughness and toughness. Suitable for wheels and door panels.