MIM tooling (injection mold) typically costs $8,000 to $30,000, with most production molds falling in the $10,000-$25,000 range for 4-16 cavity tools. Simple single-cavity molds can be as low as $5,000; complex 24-32 cavity hot-runner molds can exceed $60,000.
Factors that drive MIM tooling cost:
| Factor | Impact on Cost | Low Cost Scenario | High Cost Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavity count | Direct multiplier | 1-2 cavities (low throughput) | 16-32 cavities (high throughput) |
| Part complexity | Medium | Simple shape, no side actions | Complex with 3+ side actions/lifters |
| Tolerance requirement | Low-Medium | ±0.5% of dimension | ±0.1% — requires tighter mold tolerances |
| Steel grade | Low | H13 (standard) | S136 (corrosion-resistant) or NAK80 (pre-polished) |
| Surface finish requirement | Low-Medium | As-machined cavity | Mirror-polished or EDM-textured cavity |
| Hot runner system | High | Cold runner (standard) | Hot runner adds 40-60% to tooling cost |
| Cooling complexity | Low-Medium | Simple water channels | Conformal cooling — requires additive manufacturing |
| Mold Type | Cavity Count | Typical Cost | Lead Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-cavity prototype | 1 | $5,000-8,000 | 4-6 weeks | Low volume, design validation |
| Multi-cavity cold runner | 4-8 | $8,000-18,000 | 6-10 weeks | Production, moderate volume |
| Multi-cavity cold runner | 8-16 | $15,000-30,000 | 8-12 weeks | Production, high volume |
| Hot runner | 8-24 | $30,000-50,000 | 10-14 weeks | Very high volume, automated |
| Hot runner + slides | 8-32 | $40,000-80,000+ | 12-16 weeks | Complex parts, high volume |
For a standard 4-cavity MIM mold (no side actions, cold runner, H13 steel): Base cost ≈ $2,000 × (number of cavities) + $3,000 (base) 4-cavity ≈ $11,000 8-cavity ≈ $19,000 16-cavity ≈ $35,000
Add 20-30% if S136 steel or side actions are required.