SERVICES
PC Injection Molding
We mold Polycarbonate (PC) (and compatible grades) for functional, structural and aesthetic parts — from low-volume bridge production to high-volume runs.
WHAT WE OFFER
What We Offer
HOW IT WORKS
From Inquiry to Delivery
CHALLENGES
Challenges This Service Solves
Sink marks
Thick sections pack less than thin walls and sink on the cosmetic surface.
Warpage
Uneven cooling and high molded-in stress distort thin-walled PC.
Voids
Insufficient packing leaves bubbles inside thick walls.
Jetting
Fast first-stage fill pushes a worm-like flow across the cavity.
Silver streaks & hazing
Residual moisture degrades the melt and clouds optical parts.
Crazing / stress cracking
Molded-in stress plus solvent contact creates surface crazes and cracks.
FAQ
PC Injection Molding — FAQ
Can you help with product development?
Yes. From design review and material selection to prototyping, tooling and mass production — our engineers support you through the entire product lifecycle.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship worldwide via air and sea freight, with export packing, documentation and delivery tracking handled by our team.
What quality inspections do you perform?
First article inspection, dimensional measurement, material verification and surface checks — with inspection reports provided per batch. Full details are agreed before production.
What is the difference between rapid and production tooling?
Rapid tooling uses softer materials and simplified construction for fast, low-cost validation runs (hundreds to low thousands of parts). Production tooling uses hardened steel for high-volume, long-life programs.
How long does injection mold making take?
Rapid tooling prototypes can be ready in days; production tooling typically takes several weeks depending on complexity, cavity count and steel grade. We confirm a detailed schedule with your quotation.
Do you provide DFM feedback?
Yes. Every quotation includes a design-for-manufacturing review: draft angles, wall thickness, gate and weld-line locations, tolerance recommendations and cost-saving suggestions — before any tooling is cut.
What file formats do you accept?
We accept STEP, IGES, STL, X_T and 2D drawings (PDF or DWG). A 3D model lets us quote most accurately; 2D drawings are used to confirm critical tolerances and specifications.
How do I get a quote?
Upload your 3D file (STEP, IGES, STL or X_T) through the quote page, or email it directly. Our engineers review the design, run a DFM check and send you a detailed quotation — usually within one business day.
RELATED SEARCHES
What Buyers Search
* Keywords from Semrush competitor data — one page per search intent.
Polycarbonate: Optical Clarity + Impact Strength in One Resin
PC is FirstMold's second most-molded material after ABS, prized for transparency, impact resistance and thermal stability (https://firstmold.com/pc-injection-molding/). MOLDITQUICK molds standard and modified PC on 18 Sodick injection machines plus 3 high-precision units, with in-house tooling and DFM.
Best-in-class transparency among transparent thermoplastics — optical and lighting parts need no painting.
Exceptional impact strength — the classic 'unbreakable' resin for housings, shields and lenses.
Thermal stability — parts keep working through wide temperature swings, including under-hood and lighting environments.
Modified compounds extend the range — PC/ABS for flow and cost, glass-fiber PC for stiffness, PC/PBT for chemical resistance.
Flame-retardant and UV-stabilized grades available for electronics and outdoor use.
Design freedom for large thin-walled parts — headlight lenses and covers are molded with balanced filling in multi-cavity tools.
Weld-line and gate optimization — for clear PC, gate placement is decided in DFM so flow marks stay off the optical path.
Insert and overmolding compatibility — PC overmolds onto metal inserts and TPE grips for sealed, durable assemblies.
PC Processing Parameters We Control
Drying, barrel and shrinkage windows per published PC molding data (https://firstmold.com/pc-injection-molding/), verified in-house under ISO9001 / IATF16949 control.
| Parameter | Recommended Range | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Drying | 120 °C, 3–4 h | PC is strongly hygroscopic — undried resin turns into brittle, silver-streaked parts. |
| Barrel temperature | 260–310 °C | High melt temperature is needed for full plasticization; stay below ~330 °C to avoid degradation. |
| Mold temperature | 80–120 °C | Hot molds improve flow, surface and stress performance; cold molds create high molded-in stress. |
| Mold shrinkage | 0.5–0.7 % | Predictable and low — cavity compensation is straightforward. |
| Injection speed | Medium; slower for optical parts | High speed causes jetting; balanced fill prevents flow marks on clear parts. |
| Injection pressure | 80–140 MPa typical | High enough to pack thin walls without overpacking the gate area. |
PC Grades & Compounds We Mold
Standard, filled and blended PC per FirstMold's material experience (https://firstmold.com/pc-injection-molding/).
Standard & Optical PC
Clear grades for lenses, light guides and displays — molded with hot molds and slow fill for optical quality.
- High light transmission
- High-gloss surfaces
- UV-stabilized variants
Glass-Fiber Reinforced PC
10–40 % glass for stiffness and dimensional stability in structural parts.
- Higher modulus
- Better creep resistance
- Reduced shrinkage
Flame-Retardant PC
UL94 V-0 rated grades for electronics enclosures and power applications.
- UL94 V-0 rating
- Halogen-free options
- Good colorability
PC/ABS & PC/PBT Blends
PC/ABS balances flow and cost; PC/PBT adds chemical resistance for automotive.
- Improved flow
- Chemical resistance
- Paint-ready surface
Anti-glare & light-diffusing PC
Diffusing and anti-glare grades for displays and automotive interior lighting panels.
- Uniform light spread
- Low haze options
- Automotive-approved
Where PC Injection Molding Pays
Optical & lighting
Lenses, light guides, headlight assemblies, interior lighting panels, display screens and sight glasses.
Automotive & EV
Headlight assemblies, door handles, sunroofs, rearview mirror housings and engine covers.
Electronics & industrial
Control panel covers, gear covers, lighting enclosures, cooling fan blades and inspection windows.
Consumer & personal care
VR equipment, gaming handhelds, hair dryer bodies, electric toothbrush handles, cosmetic compacts and razor handles.
Telecom & energy
Modem and router housings, junction box covers and lighting enclosure lenses in flame-retardant grades.