Proto Plastics | Injection Molding

The Real Facts of Plastic Injection Molding

Plastic injection molding is an exceptional option when it comes to mass producing material for distribution and other general manufacturing purposes. For any business looking to increase production with a reduced cost, plastic injection molding is an exceptional way to go about doing this. However, knowing a bit about the process, the facts and how it works should make it more clear whether it is able to work with a particular company’s requirements and if the plastic can perform as desired.

Plastic Injection Molding Process

The general process starts when a business owner and the injection molding company sit down and create a diagram for what is required. The business owner probably already has a model, or at least a drawing of what is needed for the particular part. From there, the diagram is rendered three dimensionally using computer aided design (CAD) software so it is possible to see it from all angles, before it is produced. Alterations to the design are completed during this process and the business owner then is able to determine if this fits with their own manufacturing requirements.

After the design phase, a mold is created in order to shape the heated plastic. This mold can usually shape hundreds of replicas an hour, depending on the needs of the business owner.

Injection Molding Machine

The injection molding has a few different steps while traveling through the machine. At the top of the machine is an opening called the hopper. Here, plastic granules are inserted and will eventually be melted down to make the shape. There are different kinds of plastic available for injection molding. Some are used for chemicals while others for toys and other material. Once the plastic granules pass down through the hopping into the barrel, it passes through what is known as the reciprocating screw. This pushes the plastic down through a series of heaters, melting the plastic down. When it has finished melting down into liquid form, the plastic travels through the nozzle into the mold cavity. When the mold is full, the plastic is quickly cooled and removed using a moveable platen where the process is repeated continually.

It is very important for a business owner to understand not only the general process of plastic injection molding, but also how it can help improve their business, as it is a cost effective way to go about producing a specific product.

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