Injection Molding Services
XC Machining provides injection molding services for US product teams that need production-grade plastic parts. We mold ABS, PC, Nylon, PP, PEEK and 50+ thermoplastic resins on presses from 50 to 800 tons. Typical tolerance is ±0.127 mm. Critical dimensions can reach ±0.05 mm, depending on resin and part design.
All uploads are secure and confidential.
- All uploads are secure and confidential
Prototype Injection Molded Parts in 15 to 20 Days
Our injection molding services for prototypes use aluminum 7075 rapid tooling. Prototype molds ship in 15 to 20 business days with T1 samples for size approval. They produce 500 to 5,000 parts for design checks, material tests and pre-production validation before you invest in hardened steel tooling.
Molded plastic parts can have walls from 0.5 mm and tolerances to ±0.05 mm. Surface finish runs from SPI A-1 (mirror) to D-3 (textured). For metal inserts or tight-tolerance features, our CNC machining services work directly with the molding process.
Plastic Part Capabilities and Press Range
XC Machining molds plastic parts for automotive, medical device, consumer electronics and industrial applications. Our presses run from 50 to 800 tons of clamping force. Parts range from 5 x 5 x 2 mm to 1000 x 1000 x 500 mm, in single-cavity, multi-cavity and family mold layouts.
Functional prototypes arrive as T1 samples from aluminum tooling. Every prototype part goes through CMM dimensional verification against your CAD model before it ships.
Why Choose XC for Injection Molding
Our injection molding services combine ISO 9001:2015 quality procedures and in-house mold design and fabrication. Every project gets a DFM review, and presses run from 50 to 800 tons. One team handles the mold and the molded part, so design changes reach the tool without a handoff.
We design and build molds in house. Aluminum 7075 serves prototypes for 5,000 to 10,000 shots. P20 pre-hardened steel runs 100,000+ shots, and H13 hardened steel runs 500,000+ shots. S136 stainless steel reaches 1,000,000+ shots and suits corrosive resins. Our injection mold tooling page covers the tool build in depth.
Moldable resins include ABS, PC, PC/ABS, Nylon 6/66, PP, PE, POM (Delrin), PMMA, PBT, PPS, PEEK, TPU, TPE and LSR (liquid silicone). Glass-filled and carbon-filled engineering compounds are also available. Our materials page lists the wider material range.
Our mold engineers check wall thickness uniformity, draft angle (minimum 0.5°), gate location, sink marks, weld lines and ejector pin placement. DFM feedback arrives within 12 hours of file upload.
Molded parts receive SPI finishes from A-1 (diamond-polished mirror, Ra 0.012 μm) to D-3 (sandblast texture, Ra 3.2 μm). VDI and Mold-Tech textures are available for grip and cosmetic needs.
Which Mold Material Fits Your Volume?
The mold material sets the shot life of a tool. Use the table as a starting point, and our engineers confirm the choice in DFM review.
Mold material | Typical shot life | Best for | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 7075 | 5,000 to 10,000 shots | Prototypes and bridge production | 15 to 20 business days |
| P20 pre-hardened steel | 100,000+ shots | Low to mid volume production | 25 to 35 business days |
| H13 hardened steel | 500,000+ shots | High volume production and filled resins | 25 to 35 business days |
| S136 stainless steel | 1,000,000+ shots | Corrosive resins and optical finishes | 25 to 35 business days |
Quantity also decides the process. Below 500 parts, vacuum casting or CNC machining can cost less than a mold. Above 1,000 parts, mold cost spreads out and the part price drops.
Injection Molding Tolerances and Part Sizes
XC Machining holds the tolerances below. Amorphous resins hold tighter tolerances than semi-crystalline resins. Wall thickness uniformity and mold temperature control also set what is achievable.
Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Precision tolerance | Typical ±0.005 in (±0.127 mm). Up to ±0.002 in (±0.05 mm) on critical dimensions |
| Shrinkage allowance | 0.4% to 2.0%, by polymer type |
| Surface finish | Ra 8 μin (0.2 μm) to Ra 63 μin (1.6 μm) |
| Minimum wall thickness | 0.5 to 1.5 mm, by plastic material |
| Draft angle | 0.5° to 2° for most part designs |
| Gate tolerance | ±0.003 in (±0.076 mm) |
| Ejector pin tolerance | ±0.001 in (±0.025 mm) |
| Maximum part size | 1000 x 1000 x 500 mm |
| Minimum part size | 5 x 5 x 2 mm |
| Prototyping volume | 1 to 500 pieces |
| Low volume | 501 to 10,000 pieces |
| High volume | Above 10,000 pieces |
Plastic Materials for Injection Molding
Our injection molding services cover ABS, Nylon, Polycarbonate, POM, PEEK and PTFE-based parts. These materials differ in strength, impact resistance, heat stability and chemical resistance. They make housings, precision components, automotive parts and industrial products. Part design, performance needs and process fit decide the material.
ABS offers impact resistance, stable size and a clean surface. It suits electronic housings, automotive interior parts, protective covers and consumer enclosures.
Nylon is strong and wear resistant, with good fatigue resistance and low friction. It suits gears, clips, bushings, brackets and mechanical parts for automotive, electrical and industrial use.
Polycarbonate gives high impact resistance and stable size. Suitable grades give optical clarity. It suits protective covers, transparent housings, electronic enclosures and lenses.
POM is a stiff engineering plastic with low friction and wear resistance. It suits precision gears, bearings, clips, fasteners and sliding parts that need accurate dimensions.
PEEK is a high performance thermoplastic with heat resistance, chemical stability and strength. It suits aerospace parts, medical equipment parts, electrical insulators and industrial parts under demanding conditions.
PTFE has exceptional chemical resistance, very low friction and thermal stability. Standard PTFE is usually compression molded and sintered, not injection molded. It suits seals, gaskets, valve seats and chemical-resistant parts.
Resins, Elastomers, Ceramics and Metals
XC Machining molds thermoplastics, engineering plastics, elastomers and specialty feedstocks. The groups below list typical materials, shrinkage and processing data.
Commodity resins include PP (0.4% to 0.7% shrinkage), PE, PS and ABS. Engineering resins include PC, Nylon 6/66, POM, PBT, PMMA and PPS. High-performance resins include PEEK, PEI (Ultem) and LCP. Processing temperatures run from 180°C to 400°C by resin.
Ceramic injection molding (CIM) uses alumina (Al₂O₃), zirconia (ZrO₂) and silicon nitride (Si₃N₄). It makes wear-resistant, high-temperature and electrically insulating parts with geometry that ceramic pressing cannot form.
Elastomers include TPE-S, TPE-O, TPE-U, TPE-V, TPU and liquid silicone rubber (LSR). They suit soft-touch grips, seals, gaskets and overmolded parts in Shore A 20 to 90. See overmolding for bonded soft-touch layers.
Metal injection molding (MIM) uses stainless steel 316L and 17-4PH, titanium, copper alloys and tool steel. It makes small, complex metal parts of 1 to 100 g at near-net shape, with 95% to 99% theoretical density.
Surface Finishes for Molded Parts
We apply these finishes to molded plastic parts and mold cavities. Mold finish follows SPI (Society of the Plastics Industry) grades from A-1 to D-3. Our surface finishing page lists related options.
removes gate marks, parting line flash and ejector pin marks for a clean surface.
SPI A-1 diamond-polished cavities give mirror parts straight from the mold, for lenses, light guides and cosmetic electronics.
Mold-Tech and VDI textures run from fine leather grain to geometric stipple (SPI C-1 to D-3). They hide sink marks, improve grip and reduce fingerprints.
applied to S136 and H13 cavities. It helps part release, shortens cycle time and cuts cavity wear.
Type III hard coat on aluminum prototype molds adds a 25 to 50 μm oxide layer. It extends mold life from 5,000 to 10,000+ shots at SPI B-1 quality.
batch deburring removes gate nubs and flash for safe handling.
an even matte texture that prepares surfaces for coating.
a directional grain on accessible metal inserts.
a durable colored coat on suitable metal inserts and brackets.
nickel, chrome, zinc or gold layers on metal parts for corrosion resistance, conductivity and wear.
Our Injection Molding Prototype Manufacturing Capabilities
Provides injection molding for prototypes and custom parts, emphasizing expert support, competitive pricing, and faster production cycles.
Get reliable vacuum casting services for high-quality prototypes and production parts at competitive prices. XC Machining offers highly detailed casting parts with consistent quality.
Uses cutting, bending, and forming techniques to produce precision metal components suited for industrial, commercial, and manufacturing applications.
Specialist Industries
Bring Your Designs to Life with XC Machining
Experience precision engineering with XC Machining. From detailed prototypes to high-volume production, we’re here to turn your concepts into reality. Contact us today to discuss your project needs!
- Expertise Shared Widely
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- All uploads are secure and confidential
Injection Molding FAQs
What are the advantages of injection molding for plastic parts?
Injection molding drops the part price above 1,000 units as the mold cost spreads out. Cycle times of 15 to 60 seconds support high volume. It holds tolerances to ±0.05 mm across runs and offers 50+ resins. One shot forms undercuts, living hinges and snap fits. Runner regrind keeps waste under 5% of material.
How accurate is XC Machining's injection molding process?
Accuracy depends on four factors: resin shrinkage (0.4% to 2.0%), mold temperature stability (±2°C), injection pressure consistency and wall thickness uniformity. Typical tolerance is ±0.127 mm, with ±0.05 mm on critical dimensions. We verify production parts with CMM inspection and go/no-go gauges against your drawing.
Can injection molding be cost-effective for low-volume production?
Yes. Aluminum rapid tooling produces 500 to 10,000 parts at 40% to 60% lower tooling cost than hardened steel molds. Aluminum molds ship in about 15 days against 25 to 35 days for steel. That suits bridge production and market tests. Below 500 parts, consider CNC machining or vacuum casting.
What is the lead time for injection molding at XC Machining?
Aluminum prototype tooling ships in 15 to 20 business days with T1 samples. Steel production tooling ships in 25 to 35 business days. After mold approval, production parts ship in 5 to 10 business days per batch, by quantity and resin availability. Rush delivery is available for time-critical projects.
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