Injection Molded Plastics
Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts in which material is injected into a mold. The material for the desired piece is poured or pumped into a heated barrel, where it is mixed to a homogeneous consistency and then forced into the mold’s cavity, where it will cool down and harden until the finished piece has solidified in the shape of the mold. Because of this, injection molding is best utilized by manufacturers who want to make large quantities of the same part. It is of particular value for manufacturers who desire very low tolerances in the parts that are produced.
Injection molding is used primarily to create parts that would be very difficult to make by hand. Because the molds that the plastics are poured into can take very intricate shapes, it allows manufacturers to produce pieces that are designed in extremely fine detail. The mold being used is designed in a 3D modeling software program, which ensures that the mechanical engineers who are designing the part have complete control over every dimension of the finished product.
Due to the low cost and efficiency with which the injection molding process operates, it is utilized in a wide range of industries such as automotive parts, musical instruments, furniture, and many more. Injection molding is used to produce goods that are used in almost every single aspect of our everyday lives.
Some examples of products that are produced by injection molding include: flutes, one-piece chairs, storage containers, wire spools, bottle caps, pocket combs, plastic cups, and many more.
Injection Molded Plastic Types
Custom Injection Molding
An injection molding process in which the mold is not pre-made, but is formed specifically for the consumer’s application.
Double-Shot Molding
A two-step process in which either the color or the material is injected first. Upon the hardening of the material, a second color or material is injected into or around the first shape.
Gas-Assist Injection Molding
A process in which inert gas, such as nitrogen, is forced into the melt while it is entering the mold, packing the plastic into the cavities. Gas-assisted injection molding reduces cycle time, part weight, warpage and stress to the cooled parts, as well as minimizing other problems.
Molded Plastic Pieces
Parts that are formed by pouring heated plastic into molds. Plastic injection molding is a process by which plastic is heated into a malleable form and pressed into molds.
Push-Pull Molding
A process that involves multiple layers with different orientations, providing more uniform properties to the parts than if they were molded from a single direction.
Thermoplastic Injection Molding
Most common method used to process thermoplastics, due to its ability to fabricate parts with a range of design variances, from simple shapes to high precision parts of geometric complexity.
