Just how many standard 2x4 LEGO elements are produced from a single mold injection? I realize the molds are used over and over again, but how many bricks does a 2x4 element mold produce at a time?
asked Jun 21, 2013 at 17:22
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1 Answer
I seem to remember it's 2 rows of 8 bricks, with the plastic flow coming in the middle and being distributed in the mould through a pipe running between the two rows, but I can't find any reference for this.
It could very well be that future moulds are optimised to hold more, though, but that's porbably not going to happen unless there's a good reason. Another example I heard is that when they started producing 5L Technic axles, the new mould contained twice as many axles as the one used for 4L axles - with a net result that the 5L axle costs less to produce than the 4L one, which is reflected in set design. You would think they would also replace the 4L axle mould, but considering the price tag of a such a mould, it's not interesting to do so until the mould is at the end of its life (and even then, it may not be worth it to design a new one rather than to just reuse the previous design).
Edit:
Well, I was wrong on it being 2x8, apparently it's 2x12 (or rather 2x2x6):
