Mold Shrinkage — ABS
Cavity dimension to cut for a target ABS part size (nominal shrink 0.55%).
At ~0.55% and isotropic, ABS shrinkage is why it owns enclosures: bosses and ribs land where the CAD said. Moisture, not shrinkage, is what scraps ABS parts. Steel-safe practice: cut the cavity to the LOW end of the shrink range — adding steel later is welding; removing it is machining.
Formula
Note: Starting-point process values — the resin grade's datasheet and an in-mold study govern. Verify with a gate-seal study and a cooling-time ladder on the actual tool.
Cavity dimension to cut for a target ABS part size (nominal shrink 0.55%). A free injection molding cycle & process tool — no sign-up, no upload, instant results in your browser.
About Mold Shrinkage — ABS
Mold Shrinkage — ABS computes the governing relationship L_cavity = L_part / (1 − s) live as you type. At ~0.55% and isotropic, ABS shrinkage is why it owns enclosures: bosses and ribs land where the CAD said. Moisture, not shrinkage, is what scraps ABS parts. Steel-safe practice: cut the cavity to the LOW end of the shrink range — adding steel later is welding; removing it is machining. Defaults are pre-filled with realistic values for this exact scenario, and the worked example substitutes your numbers step by step so the math is never a black box.
How to use Mold Shrinkage — ABS
- 1Enter your values — Target part dimension, Shrinkage (sensible defaults are pre-filled).
- 2Read the live results: Cavity dimension, Steel oversize.
- 3Check the "with your numbers" line to see L_cavity = L_part / (1 − s) substituted step by step.
- 4Adjust inputs until the scenario matches yours, then copy or share the result.
Why use Mold Shrinkage — ABS?
- ✓Instant, free and private — every calculation runs client-side in your browser; nothing is uploaded
- ✓Built on the stated formula L_cavity = L_part / (1 − s) with authoritative sources cited on the page (Resin supplier processing data sheets (per-grade values govern); Rosato, Injection Molding Handbook, 3rd ed.)
- ✓At ~0.55% and isotropic, ABS shrinkage is why it owns enclosures: bosses and ribs land where the CAD said.
- ✓SI ⇄ Imperial toggle converts your inputs in place, so you can work in the units your drawings use
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the mold shrinkage — abs use?+
It evaluates L_cavity = L_part / (1 − s), exactly as published. Sources: Resin supplier processing data sheets (per-grade values govern); Rosato, Injection Molding Handbook, 3rd ed.. The substituted worked example on the page lets you verify every step against the textbook.
How should I read the result — and how far can I trust it?+
At ~0.55% and isotropic, ABS shrinkage is why it owns enclosures: bosses and ribs land where the CAD said. Starting-point process values — the resin grade's datasheet and an in-mold study govern. Verify with a gate-seal study and a cooling-time ladder on the actual tool.
When is this calculator the right tool for the job?+
Cavity dimension to cut for a target ABS part size (nominal shrink 0.55%). A free injection molding cycle & process tool. Moisture, not shrinkage, is what scraps ABS parts. For neighbouring scenarios, the related tools below cover the same engine with different presets.
Does it support both metric and imperial units?+
Yes — the SI ⇄ Imperial toggle converts the values already in the fields, preserving the physical quantity, so you can flip mid-calculation without re-entering anything.
Related tools
- Mold Shrinkage — Polycarbonate (PC)
- Mold Shrinkage — Nylon 66 (PA66)
- Mold Shrinkage — Polystyrene (GPPS)
- Mold Shrinkage — Acetal (POM)
- Mold Shrinkage — PET (Preform Grade)
- Mold Shrinkage — TPU (Shore 85A)
- Mold Shrinkage — Acrylic (PMMA)
- True Position Calculator (GD&T)
- Spindle Speed Calculator — Stainless 304
Related Manufacturing tools
Spindle Speed Calculator — Aluminum 6061
Carbide starting RPM for milling Aluminum 6061: n = 1000·Vc/(π·D) with a handbook cutting speed preset.
● LiveSpindle Speed Calculator — Mild Steel 1018
Carbide starting RPM for milling Mild Steel 1018: n = 1000·Vc/(π·D) with a handbook cutting speed preset.
● LiveSpindle Speed Calculator — Stainless 304
Carbide starting RPM for milling Stainless 304: n = 1000·Vc/(π·D) with a handbook cutting speed preset.
● Live