Plastic injection moulding – Benefits, materials and applications

As a pioneer in the Dutch manufacturing industry, VRT has been offering leading plastic injection moulding services for nearly 28 years. We distinguish ourselves by working with high-quality injection moulding machines that allow us to produce small to medium-sized series of functional plastic components with excellent properties. 

What is injection moulding?  

Injection moulding is an efficient production process where molten plastic is injected under high pressure into a mould to form complex parts. This technique is one of the most reliable production methods for creating high-quality plastic components in series. Plastic injection moulding stands out for its ability to produce precise, consistent parts with excellent dimensional accuracy and finish. 

How does injection moulding work?  

The injection moulding process uses a mould and thermoplastic materials. The process works according to the following principle: 

1. Plastic granulate is fed into a heated cylinder where it melts 
2. The molten plastic is injected under high pressure into a closed mould 
3. The material takes the shape of the mould cavity 
4. After a brief cooling period, the plastic solidifies 
5. The mould opens and the final product is ejected 
6. This process repeats and can be performed thousands of times with the same mould 

The entire cycle takes only seconds to minutes, depending on the size and complexity of the part. This makes injection moulding ideal for efficient series production. 

Benefits of injection moulding     

Injection moulding offers an excellent balance between quality, efficiency, and production costs for medium to large series. The technique is known for its scalability and consistent quality. 

The main benefits include: 

• Wide range of materials – All technical polymers possible, including ABS, PC, PP, POM, PA and more

• Accuracy and reproducibility – Consistent high-quality parts with excellent dimensioning

• Complex geometries – Ability to produce intricate shapes that would be difficult to achieve with other techniques

Additionally, injection moulding offers fast production times, possibilities for integrating inserts during the production process, and various options for surface finishing. This combination makes the technique ideal for cost-efficient series production. 

What are the limitations of injection moulding?      

While injection moulding offers many advantages, the technique also has some limitations: 

• Higher start-up costs: Mould investments are relatively high compared to other techniques

• Minimum batch size: Economically less attractive for very small series (fewer than 50 pieces)

• Design restrictions: Need to consider draft angles, wall thickness, and mould-specific limitations

• Longer lead time: From design to first parts typically takes several weeks

Vacuum casting versus other techniques      

Injection moulding versus vacuum casting  

Injection moulding distinguishes itself from vacuum casting through higher reproducibility and efficiency for larger series. While vacuum casting excels with series up to 25-50 pieces with low start-up costs, injection moulding gains ground with quantities above 100 pieces. The initial mould investment is indeed higher, but this is recovered through lower unit costs and faster production cycles for larger volumes. Injection moulding also provides access to a wider range of technical plastics with specific properties and certifications. The dimensional accuracy and finish of injection moulded products are generally superior to those of vacuum cast parts. stukskosten en snellere productiecycli bij grotere volumes. Ook biedt spuitgieten toegang tot een breder scala aan technische kunststoffen met specifieke eigenschappen en certificeringen. De maatvastheid en afwerking van spuitgiet producten is bovendien doorgaans superieur aan die van vacuum cast onderdelen. 

Injection moulding versus 3D printing    

Compared to 3D printing technologies such as SLS or FDM, injection moulding offers clear advantages for series production. While 3D printing excels in flexibility and low start-up costs, it cannot compete with the cost efficiency, speed, and material properties that injection moulding offers at larger volumes. The surface quality of injection moulded parts is consistently high without visible layer lines, and the mechanical properties are predictable and isotropic. Moreover, injection moulding enables efficient production of thousands of identical components in a fraction of the time that 3D printing would require.

Injection moulding machines and materials       

We produce injection moulded components that meet the highest quality standards: 

Our material portfolio includes a wide spectrum of technical plastics: 

• Standard polymers: ABS, PS, PP, PE, PVC

• Engineering polymers: PC (Polycarbonate), PA (Nylon), POM, PMMA

• High-performance polymers: PPS, PEEK, PSU, PEI 

• Filled materials: Glass fibre, carbon fibre reinforced plastics 

• Specialist materials: Medically approved polymers, flame-retardant compounds

Specialist injection moulding services        

We offer various specialist injection moulding services that meet your specific needs: 

Cascade injection moulding       

For projects with multiple similar components in one production cycle, we offer cascade injection moulding. This technique is ideal for product families or parts with similar geometries and material requirements, resulting in cost-efficient production of small series. 

Medical injection moulding  

For the medical sector, we produce components with medically certified materials. We ensure proper documentation and traceability without the need for a full cleanroom environment, making this service accessible for medical applications that don't require sterile production.

Small batch plastic injection moulding     

Thanks to our efficient workflow and modern equipment, we can cost-effectively produce small to medium-sized series starting from 50 pieces. This makes us an ideal partner for startups, product validation, or niche applications where volumes are limited. 

Application areas for plastic injection moulding   

Injection moulding technology is particularly suitable for various applications: 

• Automotive components with precise dimensioning and high strength requirements

• Medical devices with biocompatible, medically approved materials

• Electronics housings with specific protection ratings and flame-retardant properties

• Consumer products with excellent aesthetics and durability

• Industrial components with specific mechanical and chemical properties

• Technical parts with tight tolerances and reproducible quality

• Household products with attractive finishing and cost-efficient production

Material properties        

The various plastics we process offer specific properties for diverse applications: 

• ABS injection moulding: Strong, rigid, and impact-resistant, ideal for housings and functional components

• Polycarbonate injection moulding: Excellent transparency, impact resistance, and temperature stability

• Polypropylene injection moulding (PP): Chemical resistant, lightweight, and suitable for hinged parts

• POM injection moulding: High rigidity, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability

• PA injection moulding (Nylon): Durable, wear-resistant, and temperature-resistant, ideal for technical applications

Why choose our plastic injection moulding service?       

Nearly 28 years of experience and expertise      

As an established player in the European manufacturing industry, we have unparalleled expertise in injection moulding technology. We understand all the possibilities and limitations, allowing us to always provide the best advice for your specific application. 

Honest and reliable advice      

We don't sell empty promises. Our advisors provide honest advice about what is and isn't possible with plastic injection moulding, including the advantages and disadvantages for your specific project. This transparent approach helps us avoid disappointments and ensures you have realistic expectations of the end result. 

Complete service from design to finishing   

In addition to injection moulding, we offer a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of product realization. We provide professional mould construction, optimize your design for manufacturability, perform additional operations such as assembly and surface treatments, and offer supply chain solutions for continuous production. This end-to-end approach allows you to go from concept to end product with just one reliable partner.

Contact us for your project        

Would you like to know more about our plastic injection moulding service or do you have a project you'd like to discuss? Contact us for a free consultation. As a Dutch service provider, we respond quickly, think flexibly, and deliver locally with short lines of communication. 

Discover why leading companies have trusted our injection moulding expertise for nearly 28 years. Choose quality, experience, and reliability with Venture Rapid Technologies.