Frequently Asked Questions.

Advantages of thermoplastic injection molding production?

  • Fast cycle times support efficient, high-volume output

  • Capable of holding tight tolerances for precision components

  • Ideal for producing complex or multi-feature geometries

Thermoplastic vs Thermoset

  • Thermoplastics melt into a liquid and harden once cooled and are able to be melted and reused

  • Thermoset uses a chemical reaction to permanently cure and is not reusable

Types of material used at Skyline?

  • Commodity Thermoplastics

    • Polypropylene (PP): Lightweight, chemical-resistant, fatigue-resistant

    • Polyethylene (PE): Tough, flexible, high impact resistance

  • Engineering Thermoplastics

    • Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS): Strong, tough, excellent surface finish

    • Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate (ASA): Strong, tough, better UV-resistance than ABS

    • Polycarbonate (PC): High impact strength, optical clarity

    • Nylon (PA): High strength, wear-resistant, ideal for gears

    • Acetal (POM): Low friction, dimensionally stable, great for gears

    • PBT: Strong electrical properties, chemical-resistant

    • PBS/PE: Low warpage, low shrinkage, low moisture absorption, dimensional stability

  • Elastomeric Thermoplastics

    • Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE): Rubber-like feel, recyclable, ideal for seals and grips

    • Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU): Abrasion-resistant, flexible, used in protective cases

  • Colors

    • Automated color feeders meter color and additives directly at the press

    • Color house suppliers provide samples to match our customer requirements

    • Black is the cheapest color option, as it is a base option, and we can color this in-house

  • Additives

    • Wide range of specialty additives

    • Glass filled, mineral filled, UV stabilizers, anti-microbial, scratch resistance, impact modifier, flame retardants, PTFE, heat stabilizer, and more

    • Can be input by material supplier or introduced with additive feeder at the press


What size molds can Skyline run?

  • Runs mold sizes from 6×6×6 inches up to 39×39×39 inches

  • Supports both small precision components and large, complex parts

  • Flexible equipment accommodates a wide range of tooling requirements

What part sizes can Skyline produce?

  • Produces parts from 0.05 grams up to 800 grams

  • Supports a wide range of materials and design geometrics

  • Enables flexibility for both light weight precision parts and larger functional components

How long will your tool last and who is responsible for it?

  • Skyline takes ownership of mold maintenance from day one

  • Your tool is supported through its entire production life

  • Our internally built molds often run smoothly, well beyond 1 million shots

When should your tools be evaluated for wear?

  • Mold longevity depends on its construction class. Below is a general guideline of when a tool should be inspected for potential wear, maintenance, or replacement of critical components:

    • Class 101 Tool: Evaluate at 1,000,000+ shots

    • Class 102 Tool: Evaluate at 500,000 shots

    • Class 103 Tool: Evaluate at 250,000 shots

    • Prototype Tool: Evaluate between 1,000-10,000 shots, depending on materials and build method

  • These ranges help ensure your mold continues to run reliably and produce consistent, high-quality parts