Injection molding(British English:moulding) is a manufacturing process for producing parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic or other materials including metals, glasses , elastomers and confections. Material is fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. After a product is designed, usually by an industrial designer or an engineer , molds are made by a moldmaker (or toolmaker) from metal, usually either steel or aluminum< , and precision-machined to form the features of the desired part. Injection molding is widely used for manufacturing a variety of parts, from the smallest component to entire body panels of cars.