Most of the products we use today, from simple LEGO toys to complicated devices, have some plastic parts embedded. But most people in the frontline won’t know how the small and large plastic components are made. The answer for most products is going to be plastic injection molding.
Plastic injection molding helps bring various parts made of thermoplastics into being. Other materials can also be used in the injection modeling process. It is growing rapidly and is expected to become a leading method of producing product parts.
Before hiring injection molding services for your business, you should know the basics of this process and how it works. Keep reading to learn all the details.
What Is Injection Molding?
Injection molding is used in manufacturing to churn out large volumes of a particular product. This is possible as the machine used for injection molding manufactures the same part repeatedly.
In this process, a material is melted down into a liquid form and then transferred into a molding portion of the machine. Here the fluid is molded into the desired end shape and cooled to a low temperature to form that shape. The outcome is a solid product in your chosen shape and material.
Some materials commonly used are glass, metal, rubber, etc.
Plastic Injection Molding
Plastic injection molding deals with thermoplastics only. The machine melts the plastic polymers into a smooth liquid pumped into the molding compartment. Here the molten material took the shape of the mold in the machine and cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of that material.
As the plastic takes shape, it is pushed out, and this process repeats several times until the machine has produced volumes of products.
The plastic injection molding machine was first introduced many years back, but the initial purpose of replacing billiard balls with plastic ones didn’t quite stand in those times. However, the tool used for making the plastic mold was adapted quickly. Today, plastic injection molding is used to make even more complicated medical tools besides producing simple plastic products.
Uses Of Plastic Injection Molding
Almost all kinds of plastic products can be made through plastic injection molding. It is used to produce toys, covers for phones, baskets, and other consumer products as well. However, the molding tool is mainly used to make products that are not for the consumers and in which there is no pressure on the outlook of the end result.
So, you will find the process is used mainly for mechanical components such as buttons for devices or tools for engineers.
The Working Of The Plastic Injection Molding Process
The process works on two concepts – heat and pressure flow. The melting process takes place in a barrel, and the mold turns the product into the desired shape. Aluminum is used instead of steel to help with the temperature control. Once the mold has completed its work, the end product is loaded, packaged, and shipped.
Conclusion
Plastic injection molding is a sustainable and cost-effective process. The initial cost might be high, but it keeps decreasing as you produce more units. With more production, the price drops. The process is flexible, consistent, and efficient. It can certainly take the quality of your manufacturing process to the next level.
