There are many ways to classify plastic product moulds, because moulds are designed according to the manufacturing process, product type, cavity layout, runner system, and mould mechanism.
The main industrial categories are below.
1. Injection Moulds
Used in injection moulding machines for making rigid plastic parts.
Typical products:
- PET preforms
- Caps & closures
- Buckets
- Containers
- Automotive parts
- Household products
Common Types
Two-Plate Mould
Simplest and most common mould design.
Three-Plate Mould
Used when automatic gate separation is required.
Hot Runner Mould
Uses heated manifold system; reduces material waste.
Cold Runner Mould
Traditional runner system with solidified runners.
Family Mould
Makes multiple different parts in one cycle.
Multi-Cavity Mould
Produces many identical parts together.
2. Blow Moulds
Used for hollow products like bottles and containers.
Typical products:
- PET water bottles
- Edible oil bottles
- Shampoo bottles
- Jerry cans
Main Types
Extrusion Blow Mould
Used for HDPE bottles and cans.
Injection Blow Mould
High precision small bottles.
Stretch Blow Mould
Used for PET bottles.
3. Compression Moulds
Material is compressed between heated mould halves.
Used for:
- Melamine ware
- Electrical parts
- Rubber items
4. Transfer Moulds
Material is heated and transferred into mould cavities.
Used for:
- Electrical components
- Thermoset plastics
5. Thermoforming Moulds
The plastic sheet is heated and vacuum-formed.
Products:
- Disposable trays
- Food packaging
- Blister packs
Types
- Vacuum forming mould
- Pressure forming mould
6. Rotational Moulds
Used in rotational moulding machines.
Products:
- Water tanks
- Large containers
- Playground items
7. PET Preform Moulds
Special high-precision injection moulds for PET preforms.
Types:
- Valve gate mould
- Hot runner preform mould
- Open gate mould
Products:
- Water bottle preforms
- CSD preforms
- Oil bottle preforms
8. Cap & Closure Moulds
Used for manufacturing caps.
Types:
- Unscrewing mould
- Flip-top cap mould
- Stack mould
Products:
- Mineral water caps
- Oil caps
- Pharmaceutical caps
9. Pipe & Profile Dies
Technically dies rather than moulds.
Used for:
- PVC pipes
- WPC profiles
- Window profiles
10. Special Purpose Moulds
Advanced mould systems.
Types include:
- Stack mould
- Gas-assisted mould
- Multi-shot mould
- Insert mould
- Overmoulding mould
- Unscrewing mould
Classification by Cavities
- Single cavity mould
- Multi-cavity mould
- Family cavity mould
Classification by Runner System
- Cold runner
- Hot runner
- Valve gate hot runner
Classification by Ejection System
- Pin ejection
- Sleeve ejection
- Stripper plate ejection
- Air ejection
Classification by Material
- PET mould
- PP mould
- HDPE mould
- PVC mould
- Nylon mould
For your business in PET bottles, jars, caps, and HDPE containers, the most important mould categories are:
- PET preform moulds
- Stretch blow moulds
- Cap moulds
- HDPE extrusion blow moulds
- Injection moulds for jars and containers
