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Injected Plastic Molding

8 replies [Last post]
Wed, 09/23/2009 - 14:38
Sasachaz
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Hey there, I'm working on a boardgame that requires 18 unique detailed spaceship pices. I'm trying to figure out how to manufacture these in the best/cheapest way. Todd at Ninja Magic(ninjamagic.com) directed me towards injected plastic molding or hard plastic presure injected molding. I'm a total nub when it comes to manufacturing so I was wondering if anyone had any experience in this area, or any links to websites that contain information or manufacturers. Thanks so much for your help!

Included is a rough concept for one of the ships, 3cm x 2.5 cm x 1.4 cm.

Cheers, -Sasachaz

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Wed, 09/23/2009 - 19:24
#1
domd
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Try Protomold

I've checked out Protomold (http://www.protomold.com) for some items in the past and thought that they were a very good way for new product development to occur. I work with plastic injection molding design engineers who told me that Protomold's prices for prototyping are essentially dirt-cheap. Good luck.

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Wed, 09/23/2009 - 19:41
#2
Sasachaz
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Protomold

Thanks domd! I'll check them out right now.

Cheers, -Sasachaz

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Wed, 09/23/2009 - 21:46
#3
domd
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Wow

For a "rough design" that is a pretty nice drawing. How did you get that detail?

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Thu, 09/24/2009 - 00:41
#4
Sasachaz
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3d Studio Max

I've been spending the last week with the demo of 3d studio max, which is where I made that model. It's a pretty low polygon count and needs some work still. I've been looking at Shapeways (www.shapeways.com) to make some prototype ships, which will work out just fine. That model will cost me $4.25 to get "printed" at Shapeways which I think is a super deal for a prototype. But I need to figure out something cheaper then that if I'm going to do production...

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Wed, 10/07/2009 - 11:27
#5
warhammergrimace
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I had some items done with

I had some items done with shape ways, the cheapest option has a textured finish which loses some of the detail.

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Wed, 10/07/2009 - 12:35
#6
auvillebw
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Convert pics to CAD and mill your molds

If you take your pictures and build a 3D representation using Computer-aided design (CAD) software, you can then make injection molds with a numerical controlled mill (NCM).

The CAD work could be done by yourself... NCM access is a bit more limited. However, my local high school has one in their technology department. You can also find them in a lot of machine shops. Once you've got your own molds, then you'd need to find/get access to an injection molder. Again, my local hgh school has one of these too.

Find out what is available in your area. If the equipment is existing in your local schools/collages, you may be able to hire out a lot of the work to the students there for a reasonable price (I learned how to do this in high school 15+ years ago, taking an idea to CAD design to finished product in exactly this way). You may also find that some machine shops have the equipment available to the job as well. If you have to go else where, having the CAD work done on your own can help, since all the work can be done based on that information.

-Ben

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Sat, 10/10/2009 - 18:57
#7
Sasachaz
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Local Resources

Ben,
Thanks for the suggestion! I'm going to check arround and see if we have anything of this sort locally. That would be way better than sending the stuff off to china! :)

Cheers, -Sasachaz

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Sat, 12/20/2014 - 02:18
#8
foxconnmold
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Injection molded plastic

Our services:
1, plastic mold design, manufacturing;
2, injection molding production;
3, following a variety of plastic products, product assembly;
4, on behalf of clients develop a variety of new products.
Our website:NCH Precision
Our 24-hour hotline: +8605925136259
Our E-mail: saler@foxconn-precision.com

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