Injection Molding Service
Molded prototypes and low-volume production parts in as fast as 1 day
Ready for a more cost- and time-efficient way to manufacture parts? Our affordable aluminum molds (starting at $1,500) and quick turnaround times (in as fast as 1 day) help you reduce design risks and limit overall production costs along every step of the product cycle. At Protolabs, our injection molding service is tailored for your manufacturing needs including low-volume production of end-use parts, bridge tooling before high-volume production, mass customization of product lines, and functional prototyping.
Prototyping or Low-volume Production for Molded Parts?
We provide two injection molding service options—one is best suited for those who need smaller part quantities often associated with prototyping and the other a good fit for those who require larger part quantities common in low-volume production. While the molds themselves are similar, part quantities, lifetime maintenance, quality documentation, and pricing vary depending on which service option is chosen. The right one depends on your project needs.
Which Molding Process Should I Use?
Plastic Injection Molding
Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process where resin in a barrel is heated to a molten state, then shot into a mold to form a final production-grade thermoplastic part.
Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) molding is a thermoset process that mixes a two-component compound together, which is then heat cured in the mold with a platinum catalyst to produce a final LSR part.
Overmolding & Insert Molding
Overmolding and insert molding are two-part injection molding processes where one material is overlaid onto a second substrate part or metal insert to create a single multi-material component.
Thermoplastic and LSR Materials
We stock more than 100 different thermoplastic resins and liquid silicone rubber materials that are suitable for various part applications and industries. Customer-supplied materials are also accepted. LEARN MORE >
Color Matching & Finishing Options
Use color matching and a wide selection of finishing options for molding that improve cosmetics, provide customization, and other benefits. LEARN MORE >
Why Injection Molding at Protolabs?
Temper Demand Volatility
React fast to market dynamics and streamline your supply chain with parts on demand.
Offset Line-down Emergencies
Recover quickly with on-demand parts if in-house production or supply chain issues arise.
Single Supplier
Maintain consistent quality and guaranteed lead times from a single supplier with in-house tooling and part production.
Eliminate Minimum Order Quantity
Lower inventory costs and warehousing expenses with no MOQ requirements.
Bridge Tooling Before Production
Leverage affordable bridge tooling for design and market validation before capital investment in tools.
Mass Customization of Product Lines
Iterate part designs quickly and accelerate product development to react to market needs.
Inside Rapid Injection Molding
Take a trip through our production floor to see rapid injection molding at work.
Sample Quote for Molding
To get a good idea of how ProtoQuote works, check out a sample quote for molding.
“It has been very enlightening to us here at HP that we are able to get parts so rapidly out of the actual materials that we’re going to use in the final production.“
Resources
How to Avoid Cosmetic Defects on Molded Parts
Designing for Moldability: Fundamental Elements
3D-Printed Molds vs. Metal Tooling
Digital Manufacturing for Dummies
