gen-briefly-explain-injection-molding-and-one-common-misconcepti-58c8

Briefly explain injection molding and one common misconception about it.

# Injection Molding **Injection molding** is a manufacturing process where molten material (usually plastic) is injected under high pressure into a mold cavity. The material cools and solidifies into the desired shape, then the mold opens to eject the finished part. It's ideal for mass-producing identical plastic parts like bottle caps, toys, phone cases, and automotive components. ## Common Misconception **"Injection molding is cheap and easy for any production volume"** Many people assume injection molding is inexpensive because plastic parts seem cheap. In reality, the upfront costs are substantial—molds can cost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on complexity. This makes injection molding economical only for *high-volume* production (typically thousands of units or more). For prototypes or small batches, processes like 3D printing are usually more cost-effective. The per-unit cost is low, but you need volume to justify the initial investment.