Injection Molding Costing & Pricing Guide (South Africa)

Understanding injection molding costs is key to accurate budgeting and competitive pricing. Costs are determined by:

• Material selection
• Part size & geometry
• Machine type & cycle time
• Labor & overhead
• Tooling/mold costs

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Material Cost

Material cost depends on polymer type, density, and scrap rate.

Material	Cost per kg (ZAR)	Typical Scrap %
PP	45–60	3–5%
ABS	60–80	2–4%
Nylon	120–180	5–8%
HDPE	50–70	3–5%
PC	150–220	2–4%
POM	130–200	3–5%
TPE	150–250	5–10%

Tip: Choose locally available resins to reduce cost and lead time.

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Machine / Production Cost

Machine cost depends on cycle time, energy use, and efficiency. Approximate energy cost:

Machine Type	kWh/kg Plastic	Energy Cost ZAR/kg (Electricity 2.5 ZAR/kWh)
Hydraulic	0.8–1.4	2–3.5
Hybrid	0.55–0.9	1.4–2.3
All-Electric	0.35–0.6	0.9–1.5

Include labor, overhead, and maintenance in addition to energy costs.

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Tooling / Mold Cost

Tooling is often the largest single investment. Cost depends on:

• Part complexity
• Cavity number
• Material (Aluminium, Steel, 3D printed insert)

Mold Type	Typical Cost ZAR	Typical Lead Time
CNC Aluminium	10,000–25,000	2–3 weeks
3D Printed Insert	2,500–8,000	1–2 weeks
Steel Production Mold	50,000–150,000	4–6 weeks

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Labor & Overhead

• Setup: 1–2 hours per part or mold run
• Operation monitoring: 1 operator for multiple machines
• Packaging, QC, logistics included in overhead

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Example Pricing Table (Prototype / Small Batch)

Part Qty	Material	Mold Type	Machine Type	Unit Price (ZAR)
50	ABS	3D Printed	All-Electric	45–55
200	PP	CNC Aluminium	Hybrid	25–35
1,000	Nylon	CNC Aluminium	Hydraulic	18–22
5,000	PP	Steel Mold	Hydraulic	12–15

Notes:

• Prices include material, machine, labor, and overhead.
• Prototype runs are higher due to tooling amortization.

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Cost-Saving Tips

1. Use hybrid or all-electric machines for prototypes and small batches.
2. Optimize part design to reduce wall thickness or eliminate unnecessary features.
3. Combine CNC or 3D printed molds for small runs instead of full steel tooling.
4. Reduce scrap through proper material drying and correct cycle settings.
5. Consolidate orders to increase volume for lower unit costs.