Effective is a balancing act between part functionality, aesthetic requirements, and manufacturing efficiency. A well-designed mold ensures that plastic parts fill, cool, and eject predictably, minimizing defects like warping or sink marks. Core Design Principles
| Mold component | Common steel | Hardness | Application | |----------------|--------------|----------|--------------| | Cavity / Core | P20 | ~30 HRC | Low-to-mid volume (<500k shots) | | Cavity / Core | H13 / S7 | 48–52 HRC | High volume, abrasive resins (glass-filled) | | Slides / Lifters | D2 / A2 | 58–60 HRC | Wear surfaces | | Mold base | 4140 / 1050 | ~28 HRC | Plates, support pillars | injection mold design guide
Draft is a slight taper (slant) applied to vertical faces to allow the part to slide out of the mold easily. injection mold design Effective is a balancing act