Main types of injection moulds
By mould structure
Two-plate mould (single cavity mould) The simplest structure, with only a fixed mould plate and a moving mould plate. It's suitable for producing simple-shaped products like plastic cups, boxes, etc.
Three-plate mould (multi-cavity mould) Added a stripper plate between the fixed and moving mould plates, which can automatically separate the runner from the product. It's used for products with complex gating systems, such as small electronic components.
Hot runner mould Equipped with a heating system in the runner to keep the plastic in a molten state, eliminating waste of runner materials. It's widely used in high-volume production of precision products like automotive parts, medical devices.
Cold runner mould The runner is not heated, and the plastic in the runner will solidify with the product and be stripped together. It's low in cost but has material waste, suitable for small-batch production of low-value products.
By product type
Thermoplastic injection mould Designed for thermoplastic materials (such as PP, PE, ABS, PS), which can be melted and reshaped repeatedly. It's the most widely used type of injection mould.
Thermosetting injection mould Used for thermosetting materials (such as epoxy resin, phenolic resin), which will undergo irreversible chemical changes during molding. The mould needs to be equipped with a heating system.
Elastomer injection mould For elastomer materials (such as silicone rubber, TPU), the mould needs to have good sealing performance to prevent material leakage.
Precision injection mould With high requirements for dimensional accuracy and surface finish, the machining tolerance can reach ±0.001mm. It's used for products like optical lenses, precision gears.
Thin-walled injection mould Specialized for products with wall thickness less than 1mm (such as disposable lunch boxes, mobile phone cases), the mould needs to have a high-speed filling system.
Gas-assisted injection mould Injects compressed gas into the mould cavity during molding to form a hollow structure inside the product. It can reduce product weight and warpage, suitable for large products like automotive bumpers.
