1. Moulds
A mould can be many shapes and be used in a variety of applications such as a mould for vacuum forming or rotational moulding;
A mould can also be a hollowed-out block that is filled with a liquid like plastic, glass, metal, or ceramic raw materials. The liquid hardens or sets inside the mould, adopting its shape.
A release agent is typically used to make removal of the hardened/set substance from the mould easier. Typical uses for moulded plastics include moulded furniture, moulded household goods, moulded cases, and structural materials.

2. Moulds – hollowed out shapes

3. Vacuum forming Mould/Former
Rounded Edges – to help achieve accurate formed shape
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) Mould/Former
Tapered Sides –
To allow easy release of mould
Air/vacuum holes -
To help remove all the air and achieve an excellent
vacuum formed product

4. Injection moulding moulds
Guide Pins – fixed to one half of the mould and align the two halves by entering the holes in the other half.
Runner – passageways in the mould connecting the cavities to the sprue bush.
Gate – Frequently the runner narrows as it enters the mould cavity.  This is called a gate and produces a weak point enabling the moulding to be easily broken or cut from the runner.
Sprue Bush – Tapered hole in the centre of the mould into which the molten plastic is first injected.
Locating Ring – Positions the mould on the fixed platen so that the injection nozzle lines up with the sprue bush.
Mould Cavity – The space in the mould shaped to produce the finished component(s).
Ejector Pins – These pins push the moulding and sprue/runner out of the mould.
The Shot – Total amount of plastic injected into mould.
Sprue – Material which sets in the sprue bush