What plastic materials can CIC injection mold?
CIC injection molds a broad range of thermoplastics including ABS, Polycarbonate (PC), Nylon (PA6, PA66), Polypropylene (PP), Acetal (POM), PEEK, Ultem, glass-filled engineering grades, and specialty resins for high-temperature or chemical-resistance applications.
What is insert molding and can CIC do it?
Insert molding places metal inserts — such as threaded brass inserts, pins, or terminals — into the mold before injection, encapsulating them in the plastic part for superior pull-out and torque resistance compared to post-molded insertions. CIC offers insert molding for metal-plastic composite components.
What is the minimum production volume for injection molding to be economical?
Injection molding becomes economical at volumes of 1,000 pieces or more annually, though this varies with part complexity and tooling cost. CIC can advise on break-even points compared to machined or 3D-printed alternatives for your specific application.
Can CIC design and build the injection mold tooling?
Yes. CIC coordinates in-house mold design and tool fabrication, providing turnkey tooling and part supply under a single program. This simplifies management and aligns tooling investment with part quality expectations.
What tolerances are achievable in plastic injection molding?
Standard injection-molded dimensions hold ±.005" to ±.010" depending on wall thickness, material, and geometry. Critical features such as bore diameters and mating interfaces can be held to ±.002" with optimized tooling and process control.