The manufacturing process for each plastic product can vary from one another. Among different types of molding package processes, injection molding is the most effective one. This specific technique is used to manufacture higher volumes of plastics of different sizes requiring micro-precision accuracy. Moreover, with cutting-edge innovations and advancements, the industry has encountered several interesting plastic injection technologies that could bring the manufacturer’s prototype into production. This article discusses different technologies that have made the injection molding process quicker and more efficient.
Table of Contents
Thin Wall Molding
Thin wall molding helps injection molding manufacturers to produce a plastic part with a very thin wall. With this technology, plastic parts save the maximum material cost by using thin wall thickness relative to the part’s overall size. This injection molding technique allows for 1-2mm thick walls that reduce cycle time but elevate the needed injection pressure. Find in-depth reviews and advice on thin wall molding technological tips at defstartup.org.
Cost-saving and speed thin-wall injection molding technology are ideal for tight-tolerance applications such as electronic parts, medical device components, enclosures, and tubing. Nylon, Polyester, POMs, Polystyrene, Cellulose plastic, and Polypropylene are common materials in thin wall injection molding.
Gas-Assisted Injection Molding
Gas-Assisted is another injection molding package technology wherein a pressurized inert gas (usually nitrogen gas) is injected into the mold immediately after the molten plastic to force the material into the mold walls and leave a cavity at the place initially having the gas. This gas results in built-in hollow sections in the mold while promoting cooling and preventing distortions by evening out the wall thickness.
Gas-assisted injection molding involves reducing material in large parts, porous, or hollow products. Reducing material usage and cooling time are two main advantages of this plastic injection molding technology. Moreover, Nylon, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, Polypropylene ethers, and High Impact Polystyrene are common materials in gas-assisted injection molding.
Liquid Silicone Injection Molding
Liquid silicone injection molding is ideal for producing silicone rubber products in large quantities. In this injection molding technique, silicone rubber is typically a thermoset rubber. Therefore, it requires vulcanization- a process for providing rubber its advantageous material properties, such as flexibility and durability.
During this technique, cold silicone rubber is injected into a heated mold cavity and then vulcanized. Mixers, perfectly sealed molds, metering units, etc., are specialized equipment for this injection molding process.
Standard Silicone, Resistant Silicones, Medical Grade Silicone, and Optical Silicone are common materials used in liquid silicone injection modeling. Moreover, its uses include products for sealing applications, over-molding for other plastic products, biocompatible medical products, insulating products, and more.
Conclusion
Plastic injection molding is most widely used to manufacture large plastic parts. Besides these injection molding techniques, manufacturers also use metal injection molding and structural foam molding to produce the plastic molding package. From the automotive, medical device, and furniture components to toys, fasteners, electronic hardware, and general plastic parts, injection molding has several applications. Regardless of its applications, injection molding technologies are highly-effective, low-cost, and low-waste processing procedures. Moreover, these technologies bring high volume, reliability, and repeatability to plastic manufacturers.
