I want to make a plastic part: which process do I need?
The process depends mainly on three things: the shape of the part (solid, hollow or formed from sheet), its size and how many units you need. This guide helps you get oriented before talking to engineering.
Send my part to engineeringEach part shape has a process and a mold type.
For solid or defined-wall parts, small to medium in size, needed in volume with repeatable dimensions: caps, housings, technical and assembly parts.
Injection molds →For thin-walled hollow parts with a neck or opening: bottles, containers and technical hollow parts.
Blow molds →For large, closed hollow parts: tanks, containers and hollow bodies with uniform walls.
Rotational molds →For parts formed from heated plastic sheet: trays, blisters, inserts, packaging and housings.
Thermoforming molds →If your part is foam, there are other routes: protective EPS foam packaging is made with EPS molds, and seats or flexible foam parts with polyurethane molds. Rubber parts such as seals and gaskets are produced with vulcanizing molds. For a technical comparison of processes, materials and mold classes, see the plastics guide.
Three questions that point to the process.
Shape rules processes out immediately: a bottle cannot be injected and a solid housing cannot be blown.
Size defines whether it fits an injection, blow molding or rotational molding machine, and how heavy the mold is.
A mold pays off when volume justifies it. For a few units, consider 3D printing or CNC machining first.
What Fundimoldes makes.
Fundimoldes designs and builds the mold: the tool that will later produce the parts on an injection, blow molding, rotational molding or thermoforming machine, usually at the customer’s plant or their molder’s. If you haven’t decided who will produce the parts, say so when requesting a quote.
What information to prepare.
A drawing, 3D model or sample of the part (if you don’t have them, photos with approximate dimensions), the material if known, the quantity you expect to produce and, if it exists, the machine the mold will run on. If you only have a physical part, it can be digitized with 3D scanning.
Common questions.
What is the cheapest process to make a plastic part?+
It depends on volume. Some processes have more expensive molds but a low cost per part, and others the opposite. With the geometry and annual quantity we can tell you which route makes sense.
Can I make a prototype before investing in the mold?+
Yes. A 3D-printed prototype lets you check form, size and fit before building the tool.
I don’t know which material my part needs. Can you help?+
Yes. Tell us what the part is used for, what conditions it will face and, if available, send a sample; engineering will advise on material and process.
Send your part to engineering
Share photos, dimensions, a drawing or 3D model and the quantity you need. An engineer will tell you which process and mold fit, and reply within 24 business hours.
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