No matter where you look these days – your home, car, workplace, or your favorite restaurant – you will see many products and parts made through the use of plastic injection molding. This manufacturing process produces large quantities of durable, quality parts for a wide range of industries and applications.
This article will give an overview of plastic injection molding and the primary advantages of using this process for your goods, parts, and components.
What is plastic injection molding?
Plastic injection molding is the process of melting plastic pellets at high temperatures and then injecting them with pressure into a molded cavity, which then fills and hardens to produce the final product. The four stages of this process are:
- Clamping
- Injection
- Cooling
- Ejection
This article will give an overview of plastic injection molding and the primary advantages of using this process for your goods, parts, and components.
What are the advantages of plastic injection molding for the manufacturer?
We’ve identified six compelling reasons manufacturers can benefit from using plastic injection molding for their products and parts.
1. High level of efficiency. Although the initial mold may take some time to create, the injection molding process is fast and efficient once it is ready. Depending on the size and complexity of the mold, the procedure only takes 15 to 120 seconds for each cycle. And each part is identical to the other with this system, making it ideal for large production runs.
Another reason plastic injection molding is efficient is that the work is automated. A sole operator can manage the machines and robotics needed for the job. This reduced labor force lowers expenses and helps keep prices at a level that benefits the customer.
2. Complex designs. Plastic injection molding is ideal for creating intricate parts of all shapes, sizes, and finishes.
This process can handle complex designs and consistently make a high volume of identical parts.
3. Increased strength. With plastic injection molding, fillers in the molds can help reduce the plastic’s density while enhancing the strength of the molded part.
Also, injected plastic components are made in one piece, eliminating weld lines and other points of weakness that are inherent to metal parts.
4. Flexibility. Another advantage to using plastic injection molding is the large selection of resins available for the process that add texture and color to the manufactured product. Time and money spent on painting are saved.
Plastic resins also can be selected for a wide range of finishes, including high shine, leather-look, soft touch, and even sparkly. You can choose to have your parts imprinted with logos, text, or numbers as well.
5. Multiple plastic types. With co-injection molding, a kind of plastic injection molding, two or more compatible materials can be injected into one mold at the same time. Using multiple plastics
Thanks to a second plastic’s reduced melting point, the process allows for enhanced product strength and lower energy usage (and costs).
6. Less waste. The efficiency and precision of plastic injection molding mean much less waste than with conventional plastic machines. What’s more, trimmings from finished products can be reused or can be sold as a by-product.
Are there any drawbacks to plastic injection molding?
Now that you know the many advantages of plastic injection molding, you may be wondering about any disadvantages. The main one is the time it takes to create the initial mold.
The mold – or tool — is an intricate piece of work that must be created to your exact specifications. The tool must be designed and tested, which is a painstaking process that can take several months.
However, once the tool is tested and approved, it will be ready to make a high volume of quality parts. In fact, the more parts you need, the more value you get from the tool.
Should you use plastic injection molding for your product? The answer depends on your product, its design, the quantities you need, and your budget.
If you have questions about the plastic injection molding process and how it can work for your company, please contact us at All Service Plastic Molding, Inc. Since 1984, we have maintained a history of quality tooling and molding.
We offer support every step of the way — from tool design and feasibility through injection, mold maintenance, and repair. Our team of experts will be happy to assist you in your decision to find the most efficient, economical, and durable way of manufacturing your product.
