Projected Area Calculator

Estimate total projected area for an injection mold. This practical tool is an engineering estimate—validate decisions against machine, material, mold, and process data.

Formula and method

Projected area is the shape seen normal to the mold opening, plus runner projection.

Inputs and units

Enter measured or specified values in the displayed units. Keep units consistent; results are rounded for practical planning. This first release uses the displayed engineering units rather than a unit-switcher.

Worked example

(120 mm × 80 mm ÷ 100) × 2 cavities + 12 cm² runner = 204 cm².

Extract geometry at the parting plane

Use the CAD projection normal to mold opening, including every cavity and runner. For an irregular part, do not substitute a bounding rectangle unless it is intentionally conservative and recorded as such.

Hand the output to clamp-force planning

Projected area becomes useful when paired with a justified cavity-pressure estimate in the Clamp Tonnage Calculator. It does not indicate injection-unit size or mold fit.

Sanity check the cavity multiplier

For identical cavities, cavity count multiplies the per-cavity projection once. Do not multiply a total CAD projection a second time.

Interpretation, assumptions, and limitations

This tool provides an estimate for planning and education. It does not replace machine maker limits, material data sheets, mold trials, cavity-pressure data, process validation, or qualified engineering review.

FAQ

Do holes reduce projected area?

Use the actual projected geometry and the pressure basis that matches it. For complex shapes, a CAD projection is more reliable than manually subtracting or approximating features.