Key course information
- Course learning format: IN-PERSON COURSE
- More course dates: See below or click 'Register'
- Pricing: click 'Register' to preview
- Course duration: Two Days
- Location: Shropshire, UK
- Interactive learning face-to-face with expert tutors
- Electronic course notes
- Gain CPD Credits: Smithers training is IOM3 Quality Assured and counts towards professional development.
To book, click Register and choose a session.
Looking for an alternative format?
Upcoming in-person course dates
| Select a session when registering | |
|---|---|
| 20 - 21 May 2026 | |
| 21 - 22 October 2026 | |
Course overview
Injection moulding has a major impact on product quality, cost, and lead time.
This two-day classroom course gives you the technical insight and commercial understanding needed to optimise processes, reduce risk, and communicate more effectively with suppliers and colleagues.
You’ll leave with practical knowledge to improve productivity, troubleshoot issues, and add measurable value to your organisation.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course you will be able to:- Understand the injection moulding process - gain clear insight into machine operation and cycle stages to identify and manage time and cost drivers.
- Select and use materials more effectively - link polymer behaviour to part performance, ensuring better product quality and design outcomes.
- Apply sound design principles - prevent shrinkage, flow, and thin-wall problems through informed design decisions early in development.
- Evaluate and manage tooling - understand mould types, cooling systems, and cost factors that affect cycle times and part consistency.
- Diagnose and solve moulding faults - recognise common processing issues and implement corrective actions to minimise downtime.
- Explore process innovations - stay informed on emerging techniques such as in-mould decoration, gas-assisted, and water-assisted moulding.
- Collaborate effectively with suppliers and teams - communicate technical requirements clearly during trials, sourcing, and production to ensure reliability and quality.
Course content
This course blends theory and practice to explain how materials, machines, and design choices influence moulding performance.Process Theory
- The injection moulding machine and moulding cycle explained
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Categories
- Plastic flow – investigation and forces required
- Processing effects on different polymers
- Limitations and sources of information
- Polymer orientation
- Shrinkage
- Unique issues encountered in “Thin-Wall” design and manufacture
- Flow simulation to analyse and optimise designs
- Mould costs analysis
- Mould terminology
- Explanation of mould types and reasons for their choice
- Mould cooling
- Reducing cycle times and mould costs
- Cause and cures
- Fundamental problems
- Faults caused by inappropriate machine selection
- Faults caused by poor mould and product design
- In-mould decoration
- In-mould assembly
- Gas injection/water injection
- Advances in Injection compression moulding Exatec
- Issues encountered when sourcing product
- Investigative steps – what documents to request
- Moulding process and machine choice issues
- Mould trial procedures
Who should attend
This course is ideal for anyone involved in the design, production, or specification of injection moulded components who wants to strengthen their technical understanding and decision-making.
- Product designers and engineers – gain the insight needed to design parts that mould efficiently, perform reliably, and avoid costly rework.
- Production and process managers or supervisors – improve process control, troubleshoot issues faster, and enhance productivity on the shop floor.
- Quality and technical services personnel – build a deeper understanding of moulding variables to support root-cause analysis and consistent quality assurance.
- Purchasers and sourcing professionals – learn what to ask for in tooling and trials to ensure suppliers meet performance, quality, and cost expectations.
- Newcomers to injection moulding or those without formal training – develop a structured understanding of materials, processes, and design principles from the ground up.
Meet your expert tutor
David Jeavons – Consultant
With over five decades in the injection moulding industry, David brings deep technical knowledge and hands-on experience to his training. Having begun his career with GKN Sankey’s Plastics Division - then at the forefront of moulding innovation - he went on to specialise in thermoset resins and polyether foams. His extensive practical insight helps delegates connect process theory with real-world manufacturing challenges..
What our delegates say about the course
“Very useful, will be recommending.”
Adam Nevin (Trelleborg)
“Dave’s enthusiasm is second to none, he kept the course down to earth, interesting and enjoyable.”
Matt Delahaye (Honda)
Contact us or download a brochure
Reach out to the training team now - ask about this course or discuss your training goals.
Prefer training tailored to your business?
Smithers also delivers custom and in-company training designed around your products, materials and processes. Get practical, targeted content delivered online or on-site by the same experts who run our public courses.