The molds, or tools, used with compression molding and injection molding have some things in common but also some important differences.

Here are some simple solutions for pushed-back or bent pins, pushed-back inserts, high amp deterioration, loose or broken latches and missing or loose ground wire connections.

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

Injection molding machine supplier APSX-PIM now offers a comprehensive desktop FIM package using Nexa3D’s technology to 3D print molds, design parts.

Injection-molded parts and compression-molded parts can both have a smooth surface finish. Designers can also specify a polished, glossy, or textured part finish instead. This desired finish is applied toward the end of the mold-making process and then during molding, is transferred from the mold to the surface of the parts.

Join this webinar where Hexagon will explore how state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology can drive your business forward. Learn how to optimize tool paths, enhance design accuracy and reduce lead times with advanced simulation. Discover the power of automation and real-time data for continuous improvement. Tailored for mold and die manufacturers, this session offers actionable insights to boost productivity and quality. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in progressive die manufacturing. Agenda:  Key challenges in progressive die manufacturing Optimizing tool paths Enhancing mold and die design accuracy Reducing lead times with simulation Automating processes for greater efficiency Leveraging real-time data for continuous improvement

Typically, CNC machining transforms a block of metal into mold plates. Compression molds can be die cast instead, but the dies still require CNC machining. Most injection molds are produced with CNC machining. They can be produced with electrical discharge machining (EDM) as well, or with a combination of CNC machining and EDM.

When used for conformal cooling in plastic injection, 3D printing opens a wide range of design freedom. This design freedom enables designers to develop highly-efficient thermal regulation networks. However, this blessing also comes at the expense of not only higher manufacturing cost but also higher design cost as the designer could spend weeks to develop optimal cooling channels. This webinar will explore strategies and tools — including SimForm, a front-end thermal simulation app — to help tool designers and tooling managers maximize the benefits of 3D printing while minimizing manufacturing and design costs. Agenda: 3D printing applied to the plastic injection industry 3D printing pros and cons Tools and methods to facilitate the integration of 3D printing

Flash molds are the simplest, least expensive, and most popular compression molds. Because flash escapes between the parting line, however, these tools are often used with less expensive materials.

Because injection molding supports more detailed designs, its design rules are both more numerous and complex. With both molding processes, however, it’s essential to avoid excessively thick walls, unnecessary undercuts, sharp corners, and sudden changes in wall thickness. This helps to minimize the risk of defects while also controlling costs.

Engineers use properly preloaded bolts, blocks, springs and side-action cores to enhance functionality and reliability in various mechanical systems.

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Smart sensors and sophisticated process and measurement data management are driving intelligent moldmaking to new heights.

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

The main difference between compression molding and injection molding involves the way that plastic or rubber enters the mold. Compression molding places a pre-measured amount of material into a mold, which is then closed and heated under pressure. With injection molding, the material is heated and injected into a closed mold cavity under high pressure instead.

In ISO 9001 quality management systems, the Management Representative (MR) plays a crucial role. While the 2015 version of ISO 9001 no longer mandates this position, having a trusted management member serve as an MR remains vital for streamlining operations and maintaining quality standards.

A water-based, eco-friendly plastic mold cleaning system helps Rankine-Hinman Manufacturing restore flow rates and avoid big-ticket failures on complex and costly molds.

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Steel and aluminum are the most commonly used materials of construction for compression molds and injection molds. Both metals come in various types or grades. For example, compression molds can be made of soft, semi-hardened, or hardened steels. Grades of aluminum can be used instead, but aluminum can’t match steel for tighter part tolerances or tooling life.

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Diamond compounds, with their varied grades, colors and base options, provide a comprehensive solution for mold builders in need of precise and superior polishing across diverse materials and applications.

In ISO 9001 quality management systems, the Management Representative (MR) plays a crucial role. While the 2015 version of ISO 9001 no longer mandates this position, having a trusted management member serve as an MR remains vital for streamlining operations and maintaining quality standards.

When comparing compression molding vs. injection molding, determine whether the molding process you want to use can support the molding material you plan to select. There are many types of molding materials, but they can be divided into plastic, rubber, and composites.

Compression molding and injection molding can process some of the same elastomers, including silicone and fluorosilicone. It’s important to note, however, that compression molding uses gum-like high-consistency rubber (HCR) while injection molding uses liquid silicone rubber (LSR) instead.

Compression molding is used with flat parts, thin-walled parts, and components with relatively smooth contours and simple geometries. It’s not a good choice for parts with sharp edges, steep angles, or intricate details. For complex parts, injection molding is a better choice instead. Examples include the intricate enclosure components that Lampix needed for an AR projector.

IMTS 2024: Open Mind Technologies showcases its hyperMILL CAD/CAM software with enhancements to its toolpath capabilities, overall functionality and more.

The Kyocera MA90 milling insert series delivers high body rigidity with lower cutting forces in an effort to provide tough and reliable machining performance.

What exactly does a hot runner do? If you’ve been in the injection molding industry for any length of time, you might think the answer is obvious, but it is not.

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Nikon announces the launch of Scatter Correction CT, a software solution that enhances image quality and measurement accuracy in industrial computed tomography (CT) scanning by correcting scatter artifacts.

There are some differences between molding processes, however. With compression molding, the core is the stationary top half of the mold and the cavity is the moveable bottom half. With injection molding, the core is usually (but not always) movable. In most injection molds, the core moves away from the cavity, which is stationary, and holds the part until it’s ejected.

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Steps to improve data-driven decision-making and key features of a cloud-based system for mold monitoring and asset management.

Explore the standout articles of September, featuring innovations, expert insights, and strategies to boost efficiency and quality for your moldmaking needs.

Released earlier, this video remains a valuable recruitment tool and is being re-promoted in celebration of Manufacturing Day 2024.

As MMT's newest team member, I've had the opportunity to visit three very different mold shops. Learn more about the differences and similarities I saw among the shops I visited, but most importantly, the aspect of community I saw within each.

Intralox's integration of the Alpha Laser ALFlak has significantly improved their tool room efficiency when it comes to difficult welds and urgent repairs.

This webinar will provide an overview of new developments in hot runners, controllers, mold components, predesigned molds, process monitoring and mold maintenance equipment. These advancements are designed with the goals of lowering scrap rates, optimizing process temperatures and managing energy consumption. The solutions also aim to support productivity and may contribute to extending the operational lifespan of tooling equipment. Agenda: Innovative undercut and thread-forming components Predesign mold bases and plate control Melt delivery and control solutions Process monitoring and maintenance

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These differences are important, but they don’t tell the full story of compression vs. injection molding. For example, compression molding has lower tooling costs but longer cycle times. That makes it a good choice for lower part volumes, but low-volume injection molding is also an option – if you have the right partner.

Swiss Steel USA’s E 40 K Superclean offers benefits for a more efficient manufacturing processes in terms of production efficiency and component service life.

Compression molding and injection molding are both used in a variety of industrial applications. Examples include aerospace, automotive, and electronics. These molding techniques are also used in consumer products and medical and dental applications. Although injection molding is better for high volumes of parts, compression molding can support personalized applications such as dentures because of its lower tooling costs.

The Walter USA Tiger·tec Gold grade WSM37G is most effective for machining blind-hole and through-hole threads in hard steel, stainless steel, cast iron and heat-resistant super alloys.

Compression molding also supports the use of thermosets, polymers that can be liquefied once but have better mechanical properties than thermoplastics. Although some injection molding machines support thermosets, most do not. That’s because thermoset injection molding requires special screws and barrels for the injector unit.

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Gerardo (Jerry) Miranda III, former global tooling manager for Oakley sunglasses, reshares his complete mold design checklist, an essential part of the product time and cost-to-market process.

Engineers use properly preloaded bolts, blocks, springs and side-action cores to enhance functionality and reliability in various mechanical systems.

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

Positive molds cost more than flash molds but require careful measurement of the material. Typically, they’re used with deep draw parts and when it’s important to control part density. Because positive molds produce less flash, they’re a good choice for more expensive materials.

Injection molding also supports the use of family molds. These tools have multiple cavities, but they produce different parts in a single cycle. For example, an injection molder can use a family mold to produce the left and right panels for a two-part enclosure.

Join MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges as she gets the latest news on this mold builder's use of VR for mold design education.

Compression molding can produce larger and heavier parts than injection molding. Still, that doesn’t mean designers can’t use injection molding for parts like automotive dashboards. Plus, both molding processes can produce smaller parts as well. Examples include the facepieces for respirators and CPAP machines.

Discover how to enhance your mold design process with the right CAD/CAM tool for parting and cavity design. This webinar will explore CAD/CAM capabilities including how hybrid solid/surface modeling can streamline workflow and improve accuracy. Learn how to confidently tackle parting, runoff, and shutoff, ensuring precision and efficiency in your designs. Agenda: Part analysis QuickSplit techniques Parting and runoff strategies Shutoff solutions

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

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Mold polishing or texturing adds complexity, however, which can undercut some of the main advantages of compression molding: simpler mold designs and lower tooling costs.

NPE2024: The University of Massachusetts Lowell extends an invitation to its Alumni and Friends Reception to university alumni and industry professionals, highlights successful programs giving hands-on manufacturing experience.

There are three main types of compression molds: flash, positive, and semi-positive. The differences between them involve the amount of material that’s used and the amount of flash that’s produced. In general, compression molding produces more flash than injection molding.

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Keep reading to learn more. Then, when it’s time to start your project, create a free Fictiv account and upload your part drawing. Whether you need compression molding or injection molding, we have what you need.

In ISO 9001 quality management systems, the Management Representative (MR) plays a crucial role. While the 2015 version of ISO 9001 no longer mandates this position, having a trusted management member serve as an MR remains vital for streamlining operations and maintaining quality standards.

MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges sits down with Murphy Forsyth, GM – Injection Molding and Director Of Marketing for Zero Tolerance LLC in Clinton Township, MI.

Join MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges as she gets the latest news on this mold builder's use of VR for mold design education.

A compression molding press is a simpler piece of equipment than an injection molding machine. Loading a compression mold is a manual process, and an operator must physically close the tool. By contrast, modern injection molding machines are highly automated. Even the hopper where resin is loaded may be programmable.

Injection molds may also need sliders, lifters, or hand loads to release parts with undercuts. Compression molds can use sliders, too, but most compression-molded parts are simple enough not to require them. Adding ejection mechanisms to a tool increases costs, which undercuts one of compression molding’s main advantages over injection molding.

Discover how CAD/CAM functionality tailored for the mold industry can significantly enhance the mold design process. In part three of the webinar series, Cimatron will focus on designing waterlines and cooling components. It will demonstrate how CAD/CAM tools can verify drill line depths for water lines and baffles, ensure that minimum steel requirements are met while placing water lines, and provide a complete list of all baffle cutoff lengths. Additionally, it will explore how to confidently design runners and gates using CAD functionality specifically developed for these aspects of mold design. Agenda: Waterlines and verification Conformal cooling Baffles and charts Runners and gates

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

Compression molding and injection molding are plastics manufacturing processes that each have advantages. No matter what you decide, you’ll make the right choice when you partner with Fictiv. Along with your request for a quote, you’ll receive design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback that can help you avoid defects and reduce troubleshooting. Fictiv works with a carefully vetted network of global partners, so why look for a molder on your own?

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

Accelerate development with instant quotes, expert DFM, and automated production updates.

Compression molding can’t match injection molding’s part tolerances, but compression-molded components still have good dimensional accuracy. Compression-molded parts can also include features, such as threads, that support product assembly. With both molding processes, designers who use tolerance stack-ups can demonstrate how parts fit together.

Compression molding vs. injection molding is a contest between two of the most popular ways to mold plastic and rubber parts. Each process has advantages and applications, but what’s the best choice for your next project? To answer that question, you’ll need to understand how each process works and where they differ.

We exist to eliminate bottlenecks in new product development by integrating the people, processes, and platform you need to source custom parts.

Create high quality custom mechanicals with precision and accuracy.

Recently, I reposted on LinkedIn the results of an informal survey we conducted, which revealed a shortage of skilled mold designers. It quickly gained a lot of traction. Given the response, I thought I'd summarize the feedback and keep the conversation going.

Access a wide breadth of capabilities through our highly vetted network.

Two-plate molds are the most common and cost-effective type of injection mold. They have a single parting line where the core and cavity plates meet. These injection molds are especially efficient when they have multiple cavities, and they work well with any type of runner system.

Compression molding and injection molding both support overmolding and insert molding, processes that eliminate post-molding part assembly.

For compression-molded parts where cycle times are a concern, multi-cavity molds can help speed parts production. Post-processing is also a factor. Because injection molding is performed at higher clamping pressures, there’s usually less flash. For both molding processes, however, either manual trimming or cryogenic deflashing can be used.

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Compression molds are less expensive because they’re simpler and require less machining. Plus, they may not require release mechanisms since compression-molded parts can be removed from the tool by hand. By contrast, injection molds require metal ejector pins.

Some composite materials are highly resistant to flow, and that makes compression molding the right choice since the material doesn’t have to flow through a series of channels. Examples include electrically-conductive silicones and fluorosilicones that contain metal, metal-coated, or bimetallic particles.

Steel supplier discusses high thermal conductivity metal powders that also address the skills gaps via user-friendly materials and promote sustainability via durability and higher cycle counts.

A connected software solution streamlines the moldmaking process by providing a unified source of design data, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors, with five key steps benefiting from this integration.

Three-plate molds have a third plate called the stripper plate that’s placed between the core and the cavity. Including this third plate adds costs and means the mold has two parting lines. Because the stripper plate separates the runner system from the molded part, it helps speed production. Three-plate injection molds are used only with cold runner systems.

Understanding and facing the moldmaking industry’s obstacles to growth requires a strategy focused on increased profitability.

The need for data to track information and the history of the mold-building process is ever-increasing, and mold component solutions can help.

During plastic injection molding, injection pressures can reach 30,000 to 40,000 pounds per square inch (psi). The clamping pressure is even higher so the mold won’t open while plastic is injected. Compression molding is performed at lower clamping pressures and some compression molds aren’t pre-heated. By contrast, injection molds require preheating to improve part quality. Cooling systems may also be part of the injection mold.

IMTS 2024: Features such as advanced collision protection and greater operational functionality make Heidenhain’s TNC7 CNC control platform critical for mold builders, who often face multi-surface machining.

It’s easy to imagine the advantages automation offers the moldmaking process, but it's challenging to change one’s mindset, develop a plan and invest.

Injection molding has significantly shorter cycle times than compression molding. That makes it a better choice for higher part volumes, but low-volume injection molding can be used for projects ranging from 100 to 10,000 pieces. Below 100 parts, designers may want to use compression molding instead – but 3D printing or even urethane casting are also options.

Compression molding and injection molding can process many of the same thermoplastic resins. In addition, both processes support the use of commodity plastics and specialty plastics and polymer blends. Examples of these thermoplastics include:

Discover how to enhance your mold design process with CAD/CAM software specifically tailored for the moldmaking industry. In part two of this webinar series, Cimatron will demonstrate how to intelligently design mold components, such as slides and lifters, using powerful CAD/CAM tools to accelerate the design process. Additionally, it will cover how to avoid errors and ensure design accuracy for ejector pins by checking clearance distances, calculating cutoff heights correctly, and thoroughly documenting all ejector components. Agenda: Slides Lifters Inserts Ejection pins and charts

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Semi-positive molds combine the advantages of flash and positive molds; however, they’re also the most expensive type of compression mold. Semi-positive molds do not require precise material measurements, but it’s still important to minimize flash to limit post-processing.

Walter USA Inc. highlights the addition of a 12 × Dc version of its Xtreme Evo Plus step drill to the DC180 Supreme solid carbide drill lineup.

Identify pain points, tackle each one strategically and maintain flexibility to keep your moldmaking business on a path to growth.

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Compression molding and injection molding both use heat and pressure to produce parts. More specifically, the molding material is heated so that it flows and fills the mold cavity. Pressure is applied to the tool to hold the mold shut. After the part cools, it’s released from the mold and may require post-processing.

Bulk molding compound (BMC) is a thermoset composite that’s used only with compression molding. It has a dough-like consistency and is a combination of polymer resins, chopper fibers, and a hardening agent. Sheet molding compound (SMC), a polyester reinforced with glass fibers, is also compression molded because of its consistency.

Steel supplier discusses high thermal conductivity metal powders that also address the skills gaps via user-friendly materials and promote sustainability via durability and higher cycle counts.

When comparing compression molding vs. injection molding, consider part size, part tolerance, part complexity, design rules, and surface finish. Otherwise, a part designed incorrectly or for the wrong process can result in molding defects like warpage and shrinkage.

A focus on electrode design and automation helps toolroom improve efficiency, reduce tooling costs and deliver higher quality products.

Stack injection molds consist of multiple parallel mold plates that are “stacked” together to create multiple faces or levels for injection molding.  They have higher up-front costs but require less clamping tonnage per cycle. These injection molds can accommodate various materials simultaneously for greater flexibility in production.