Orange Plastics
Plastic injection molding – From
Idea to Final Product
Injection molding
More than 20
years of experience in various sectors
At Orange Plastics, we work with you from the initial idea to a fully realized product. Our team combines creativity and technical expertise to provide guidance on design, manufacturability, and sustainability.
Using recycled materials, circular processes and our production facilities in the Netherlands and China, we deliver high-quality plastic products that have a minimal ecological footprint and are produced quickly and reliably, while always focusing on innovation.
The process
How does
injection molding work?
Injection molding is a manufacturing process in which molten plastic is injected under high pressure into a mold and then cooled.
1. Material preparation
Plastic granules (for example PP, ABS or PA) are dried and fed into the injection molding machine. The screw in the cylinder heats and melts the material, turning it into a homogeneous molten mass.
2. Injection & molding
The molten plastic is injected under high pressure into the closed mold. The mold cavity precisely defines the shape and details of the final product.
3. Cooling & solidification
Once the mold is filled, cooling water circulates through channels in the mold steel. This solidifies the plastic, giving the product its final dimensions and strength.
4. Ejection & finishing
The mold opens, and the cooled product is automatically ejected by ejector pins. Excess material or flash is removed, and if necessary, the product undergoes assembly or surface finishing.
5. Inspection & process optimization
During and after production, products are checked for dimensions, color, strength and appearance. Process parameters can be adjusted to ensure consistent quality and efficient series production.
How we do it
Our approach
At Orange Plastics, we guide you through every stage of the injection molding process, from the initial idea to the finished product. With our years of experience, technical expertise and focus on sustainability, we help you get the most out of every design.
Step 1: Design and optimization
You provide the product design
Not every product can be easily produced through injection molding. Several factors come into play, such as:
- The shape and wall thickness of the product
- The complexity of the design
- The type of plastic chosen and its properties
We help you assess the feasibility, manufacturability and sustainability of your design. Together, we identify potential optimizations and provide concrete improvement suggestions.
Through this close collaboration, we achieve the perfect final result.
Step 2: Mold making
Based on your 3D product design, we manufacture the injection molds. These molds are created from detailed 3D drawings and fully produced in-house, with every product detail carefully considered.
Thanks to our years of experience in injection molding and in-depth knowledge of mold flow analysis, we can:
- Identify potential issues in mold production at an early stage
- Produce efficiently and accurately
- Ensure the quality of the final product
Once all details have been thoroughly reviewed and the prototype is approved by you, we begin full-scale production.
Step 3: Injection molding production
With production facilities in the Netherlands and China, we always select the most cost-effective location for your project.
- Larger products are usually manufactured in the Netherlands
- More complex products are often produced in China
After injection molding, your products can receive a finishing touch upon request to achieve an attractive final result. Possible techniques include:
- Wet painting
- Printing
- 3D printing
Step 4: Assembly
Some products require assembly after production. We can handle this because we know and understand the individual components.
At all our production sites, we offer assembly services, including:
- Standard assembly
- Assembly in cleanrooms
- Collaboration with social workshops (in the Netherlands)
It is also possible to integrate non-plastic components into your plastic products.
Step 5: Delivery
Virgin & recycled materials
Types of plastics and possibilities
At Orange Plastics, we work with a wide range of plastics – from standard thermoplastics to high-performance engineering plastics and sustainable alternatives such as recycled plastics and bioplastics. Each material has its own unique properties and applications. Our specialists are happy to advise you on which plastic best suits your product and production process.
Sustainable materials and circular injection molding
We can injection mold the plastics mentioned above using both virgin and recycled materials. In addition, we lead the way in circular injection molding: we design and produce with reuse in mind, minimize waste, and choose biobased raw materials whenever possible. In this way, we combine quality, innovation, and sustainability in every product we create.
Other plastics
Is your desired material not listed? There’s a good chance we have experience with it. We work with many more types of plastics than those mentioned above, but we don’t list them all on our website. Feel free to contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Methodology
Our injection molding
techniques
At Orange Plastics, we use a variety of injection molding techniques to ensure the optimal method for each product and application. From prototypes to large-scale production, we have the knowledge and experience to manufacture your plastic components accurately and efficiently.
Injection molding production
Injection molding production is our standard technique for series manufacturing of plastic components. Using modern injection molding machines, we produce high volumes with consistent quality, precision, and efficiency. It is ideal for parts used in large quantities across various industries.
Prototype injection molding
With prototype injection molding, we can quickly and flexibly produce small series of plastic parts. This is perfect for design validation, testing, and market introductions before moving to large-scale production. This method allows you to produce small quantities without high costs and to quickly improve your product based on feedback.
Overmolding
Insert molding
Your product within 8 to 14 weeks
Pricing and
lead times
- Design: Complex shapes or high precision require specialized molds and techniques.
- Quantity: Larger series reduce the unit price; small series are more expensive.
- Material: Standard plastics, engineering plastics or recycled materials influence the costs.
- Post-processing: Extra steps such as assembly, overmolding or finishing increase the price.
- Mold making: 6–8 weeks, depending on complexity and material.
- Series production: 2–6 weeks after approval of the prototype or test series, depending on quantity and material choice.
Capacity and production volumes
In plastic injection molding, we can flexibly respond to various production needs:
- Minimum and maximum series: Depending on the size and complexity of the product, production can be efficient starting from 1,000 pieces, with possibilities for unlimited quantities.
- Product sizes and tolerances: Suitable for products from 1 gram to 12.5 kilograms.
Industries
Application in various sectors
Beauty
Building & construction
Consumer products
Elektronics
Industrial
Medical
Packaging
Aerospace
Transport
Our cases
Examples of injection molding projects
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about injection molding
Injection molding is the process in which molten plastic is injected under high pressure into a mold. At Orange Plastics, we combine precision and technical expertise to produce high-quality plastic components, from small precision parts to larger applications, with a focus on quality, sustainability and efficient production.
At Orange Plastics, the process from design to production usually takes a few weeks to several months, depending on complexity, mold development and material selection. We closely manage each project, provide advice on design and manufacturability, and ensure an efficient and reliable production process so that your product is realized quickly and sustainably.
We produce from approximately 1,000 pieces. This is what we call “small series.” Below this quantity, injection molding is often not cost-effective, but if necessary, we are happy to explore creative solutions.
We work with almost all thermoplastics: PP, ABS, PA, PE, TPE and more. In the Netherlands, we use almost exclusively recycled materials. This is a deliberate choice that aligns with our vision of circular and future-proof manufacturing. Increasingly, we also use bioplastics. We work with you to determine the best solution, both technically and sustainably.
Yes, you can choose from existing colors or have a custom color mixed. Transparent or UV-resistant materials are also available.
Orange plastics
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Testimonials
Clients of Orange Plastics
