Injection Moulding Services for Prototypes and Small Batches
Injection moulding remains the gold standard for repeatable plastic parts. The challenge for UK product teams is cost: traditional steel tooling takes 8–12 weeks and only pays back at high volumes. SkillsProto bridges that gap with prototype aluminium moulds for 50–2,000 shots and pre-hardened steel tooling for 10,000+ shots.
We help you de-risk your design before committing to mass-production tooling.
Our injection moulding process
- DFM and mould flow review — wall thickness, draft angles, gates, ejector pins and undercuts are checked against your CAD.
- Tool design — aluminium prototype mould or steel production mould, depending on volume and material.
- Tooling manufacture — typically 2–4 weeks for prototype aluminium, 4–6 weeks for steel.
- First article inspection (FAI) — dimensional report, sample parts and photos before full production.
- Production and finishing — parts are moulded, trimmed and finished (texturing, painting, pad printing on request).
Injection moulding materials
| Material | Properties | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Tough, easy to machine finish | Enclosures, consumer products |
| PC | Impact resistant, transparent | Lenses, covers, medical housings |
| PA (Nylon) | Wear resistant, strong | Gears, structural clips, bushings |
| PA+GF | Stiffer, lower thermal expansion | Automotive under-bonnet parts |
| PP | Chemical resistant, flexible | Hinges, living hinges, containers |
| POM | Low friction, high stiffness | Gears, bearings, precision parts |
| TPE / TPU | Soft-touch, flexible | Grips, seals, overmoulded parts |
Prototype vs production tooling
| Tool type | Cavities | Expected shots | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium prototype | Single or family | 50–2,000 | Design validation, market testing |
| Pre-hardened steel | Single or multi | 10,000–50,000 | Low-volume production |
| Hardened steel | Multi-cavity | 100,000+ | Mass production (quoted on request) |
Surface finishes for injection moulded parts
- SPI-A2 / SPI-A3 high-gloss polishing
- Medium gloss (SPI-B grades)
- Matte / fine texture (SPI-C and SPI-D)
- Custom VDI 3400 textures
- Painting, pad printing, laser marking, chrome plating
When to choose injection moulding over 3D printing or vacuum casting
| Scenario | Recommended process |
|---|---|
| 1–10 units, complex geometry | 3D printing |
| 10–200 units, functional plastic parts | Vacuum casting |
| 50–10,000 units, tight tolerances, repeatable | Injection moulding |
| High-volume production | Steel injection mould |
Frequently Asked Questions (Injection Moulding)
Q1: How many parts can I get from a prototype aluminium mould? A: 50 to 2,000 shots, depending on geometry and material. Glass-filled materials wear aluminium faster, so we will recommend steel if your material is abrasive.
Q2: What is the shortest lead time for prototype injection moulding? A: 10–15 working days for simple aluminium prototype tools after DFM approval. Complex or textured tools take longer.
Q3: Can you mould overmoulded or two-shot parts? A: Yes, on a project basis. Send your CAD and material pairing and we will confirm mould feasibility.
Q4: Do you provide FAI reports? A: Yes. Every first production run includes a dimensional report with photos. CMM inspection is available on request.
Q5: Can you ship directly to my UK warehouse? A: Yes. We ship DDP or DDU to UK and EU addresses, with customs documentation handled.
Request an injection moulding quote
Send your CAD, target quantity and material for a tooling + part quote.
[Request a Quote — Injection Moulding]