Injection Molding

Injection molding is a manufacturing process used to make plastic parts. Plastic injection molding can be used for anything from manufacturing a few prototype parts up to running millions of an identical part. Plastic injection molding is ideal for making large quantities of the same part or related parts. Jintai Mold by Fathom provides custom plastic injection molding for customers worldwide.

Plastic injection molding has almost unlimited manufacturing possibilities. Examples of plastic injection molding can be found in a variety of industries including consumer electronics, car parts, medical devices, tools, toys, and packaging. Post-processing applications can be used to achieve the desired finish or texture. Plastic injection molding is an economical way to mass-produce the same or similar plastic parts.

The Basics of Plastic Injection Molding

Plastic injection molding is the process of making plastic parts using molten plastic and a metal mold. Special plastic resins, known as thermoplastics, are melted and then forced into the metal mold. Molds can be made of steel, aluminum, or beryllium-copper alloy. The molten plastic fills the cavity inside the mold. The part is removed from the injection mold after the plastic has cooled and re-solidified. This manufacturing process is done with specialized injection molding machines called presses. These injection-molding machines must be able to do several key processes at the same time. First, the thermoplastic is melted and then pushed under pressure into the metal mold. The injection-molding machine must be able to hold the mold closed while it is being filled. The machine uses a clamping mechanism to keep the molds closed by applying the appropriate amount of pressure to the outside of the mold. This pressure is called clamping tonnage or clamping force. To learn more about clamping tonnage click here. The clamp is released once the part has cooled. The part is removed from the mold and the process starts over.

Cost of Plastic Injection Molding

The cost of plastic injection molding is dependent on several variables, including part complexity, chosen material, and the number of parts being produced. The largest expense will be in creating the mold. Simple molds can cost $3,000 to $6,000 while more complex molds will cost $25,000 to $50,000. The next variable will be the number of parts being produced. The more parts being injection molded, the less each part will cost. Each individual part can cost a few pennies to over $10 a piece. The final cost of each piece will depend on the type of plastic being used, the overall cost of the mold, and the number of parts being produced. The up-front cost for plastic injection molding can be higher than other manufacturing methods, however, the savings can be substantial considering that each piece, when manufactured in the hundreds, thousands, or millions could only cost pennies per part.

What are the Disadvantages of Injection Molding?

Injection molding is a manufacturing process designed to make hundreds, thousands, or even millions of the same part or set of parts. It is an efficient and economical way for small or large businesses alike, to mass-produce plastic parts. The only real disadvantage can be the cost of each piece when making a small number of parts. Jintai Mold has access to a wide range of manufacturing processes that can be utilized to manufacture prototype or low-number part runs. Contact the experts at Jintai Mold to learn more about alternative manufacturing methods for prototypes or low number part runs.

Injection Molding Plastic

Plastic injection molding is widely used because it can be adapted to meet almost any requirement, depending on the type of plastic being molded. Choosing the correct plastic is an important decision. Available plastics have a variety of characteristics based on their chemical make up. The intended application of the part will also determine the type of plastic that can be used. Material properties to consider include durability, flexibility, performance, texture, density, and color. Contact the experts at Jintai Mold for help choosing the right plastic for your next project. Jintai Mold keeps over 300 different plastics in stock for injection molding including: