Plastic Injection molding is the manufacturing technique that is commonly employed in creating items ranging from plastic accessories to toys to automotive parts. Everywhere you look, you’ll find something that is made from this manufacturing process.
It is a quick process and can create a high quantity of identical parts and products. Needless to say, many of these injected molded parts made up our everyday lives. What makes it top of mind in creating products is its flexibility in shapes and sizes.
What is Plastic Injection Molding?
Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process that can handle mass production of parts and products.
It uses an injection molding machine and passes through six significant steps that include the following:
- Clamping
- Injection
- Setting
- Cooling
- Opening of the mold
- Retrieval of the product
The initial step for this process is part design, and the major factors in play here are the mold and the material. Mold is the hollow material that will later be filled with a liquid substance that will take its shape. Building the mold is a critical process as dictates the quality of the final product.
The injection machine has three parts: the feed hopper, screw, and heated barrel. Plastic granules are fed into the hopper. It may come in powder or pellet form and will require heating. This molten material is pushed into a nozzle and injects the liquify material into the mold cavity. Once the material cools down and solidifies, it will be ejected from the mold.
Plastic Injection Molding Over Other Processes
There are several processes to choose from when it comes to manufacturing plastic, but many companies prefer plastic injection molding over the other. Plastic is deeply ingrained in today’s economy, and many companies are looking for the most cost-efficient and reliable method of making their products and optimizing their profits.
Plastic injection molding is the leading method that many of these companies have adopted, and it is not surprising why. First of all, it shows absolute accuracy and consistency with its features. It also can handle prototypes even with complex geometries, and the process is done quickly and efficiently.
Aside from these reasons, the final product from plastic injection molding also has enhanced flexibility and strength. Because it can accommodate con-injection molding, it can have two different types of plastic in one product or handle so much more. It has a lower wastage rate and can be repeatable.
The most popular reason why many companies choose plastic injection molding is because of its lower labor costs. It means a great deal for companies. Plastic machining is more costly when the product is planned for long-term production.
If you need more information about plastic injection molding, you may contact LT Century. They have injection molding technology that allows them to use a wide range of materials and finishes to suit your needs for any application.