The process and advantages of mold injection molding

Injection molding is a form of manufacturing in which plastic material is injected into a metal mold under high pressure. As the plastic cools, it solidifies and hardens around the molded shape. The process creates an efficient and economical way to make any number of custom shapes with consistent quality and high repeatability.

Injection molding is by far the most versatile plastic molding process, capable of making plastic parts with the most complex geometries. The first step in the process is to design a custom mold based on the shape of the desired finished product. This type of mold is usually made of steel because of its high melting point and chemical stability.

Once the mold is created, it is placed in an injection molding machine. Plastic pellets are melted and injected into it. The molten plastic is pressed to ensure uniformity and proper fit to the mold. Once the molten plastic is sufficiently pressed into the mold, it can be cooled until it solidifies. The final product is ejected from the mold - usually by holding a pin or blowing it off with air - and can be finished to specification.

There are many different types of presses available, and they are rated according to how much force (in tons) they can deliver. Some of the parameters to consider when selecting a press are: required force, material flow index (MFI), clamping requirements, and safety factor.

Compared to other plastic molding production methods, injection molding has several advantages, such as

1. Complexity. From holes and pegs to precision curvature, some plastic parts have many details. Forming a mold with precise part geometry ensures that every feature is considered, allowing for the manufacture of some of the most complex plastic parts.

2. Scalability. Injection molding allows manufacturers to make plastic products of any size.

3. Versatility. By allowing other compounds to be added to the pellet mix, the injection molding process allows designers and engineers to get the exact properties they are looking for. Colorants, resin types and finishes are just some of the customizations available in the manufacture of injection molded products.

4. Economical and practical. On a cost-per-piece basis, injection molding is a very economical way to manufacture products.