Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build a mold?
How much do parts cost?
How long does it take to build a mold?
Do you have a catalog?

These are the most common questions we receive from people who are new to
molding.   If you would like a quote, or more information, feel free to contact us.

How much does it cost to build a mold?

This is the most common question we receive from people off the street.
They typically have a new idea or product they want to manufacture, and are
starting from the ground floor gathering information. The cost to build a mold ranges from a minimum of around $1,500 for a very small "washer" type mold, to hundreds of thousands of dollars for large molds, such as a lawn chair.  It is important to know that each mold is custom built, and completely dependant on the part design.  A molder or Tool Shop cannot quote something over the phone without seeing the part concept.
There are also many different types of molds, from aluminum prototype molds
for small quantities to pre hard steel for medium quantities to class "A"
high production tooling  to name a few common choices.  In short, expect it
to cost thousands of dollars to produce even a simple mold.
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How much do parts cost?

This is another common question for people new to molding.  The answer is
similar to the mold question.  Again, pricing is completely dependant on
part design and the type of material needed.  Commodity grade plastics such
as Polypropylene and Polyethylene cost around a dollar a pound for the raw
material.  Engineering grade materials such as PEEK can cost 40 dollars a
pound for a molder to purchase.  There are literally thousands of different
materials to choose from.  Another big factor is the cycle time,  small thin
wall parts can have 10 second cycle times, while larger thick parts can take
several minutes to produce one part.  Again, a molder needs to be able to
calculate the part weight, material required, and estimate the cycle time in
order to produce a firm quote.
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How long does it take to build a mold?

Very small molds such as a 3" x  5" quick sets can be made in as little as a
week. (Usually 2-3 weeks)  Medium size molds are typically in the 4-16 week
range depending on part detail and cavitation.
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Do you have a Catalog?

No.  Action Plastics is a custom molder.  We have no proprietary products.
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