Injection molding (sometimes spelled injection moulding) is a manufacturingprocessideal for mass-producing parts in very large volumes. It’s used so commonly because once you create aninjection molddesign, it can be easily scaled to produce thousands or even millions of pieces at a relatively low price per unit.
However, there are a lot of myths out there about必威体育ios。We compiled six of the most common ones and are here to bust them so you can experience an effective必威体育iosprocess!
必威体育iosMyth #1: Any Shape is Moldable
The truth:In mechanical engineering, the part design has to be manufacturable. Similarly, in injection molding, the plastic part has to be moldable to a high degree. If moldability is poor, you will run into all types of quality and production problems during your必威体育iosprocess。因此,被广泛接受的假设ny geometry of a plastics part is perfectly moldable is incorrect. In reality, a part’s design will need to be modified if it is not more than 90% moldable. Perfection in moldability will also depend on having a balanced melt flow and heat exchange, as well as uniform freezing, in the mold.
必威体育iosMyth #2: Injection Molded Parts Can Only be Customized Post-Production
The truth:A commonmisconceptionabout the必威体育iosprocessis that the parts it produces can’t be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This comes from people believing products made on aplastic injection molding machineare only able to retain the base color of the resin used in the molding process, which are often basic neutral colors. Someplastic injection molding companieswill even tell you that any design elements or embellishments you want on your products must be added in using an additional finishing process after the molding itself has been completed.
This means you’d have to spend extra time and money getting your products the way you want them. However,injection moldscan actually be specifically designed so that various aspects such as textures or finishings are included as part of the mold. You can even leverage Pantone matching to create resins of nearly any color—not just neutrals.
必威体育iosMyth #3: Only Certain Materials can be Used in the必威体育iosProcess
The truth:Because of the way the必威体育iosprocessworks, it’s often assumed that only very specific, specially formulated materials aresuitableto be used in aplastic injection molding machine。The truth is that plastic molding is an extremely versatile process. It canutilize many different kinds of materialsincluding ABS, polypropylene, and most polymers, which includes all thermoplastics (like nylon, polyethylene, and polystyrene) and some elastomers. There are actually thousands of different materials that you can use for必威体育ios; the ones that are right for you will depend on the strength and function required of the final product you’re trying to produce.
必威体育iosMyth #4: Any Part With a Lower Weight Than the Maximum Shot Weight of Your必威体育iosMachine can be Molded
The truth:Molding the biggest possible part of the highest flow ratio,requiresa, “Higher injection rate for a given size of screw.” Therefore, bigger molding projects (within the maximum shot weight) are only possible with a machine that has a larger injection rate.
必威体育iosMyth #5: Quality Problems Can Only be Corrected by必威体育iosMachine Parameters
The truth:The parameters of your必威体育iosmachine are not the only way to correctmolding process constraintslike sink marks, warpages, shrinkage, and dimensional inaccuracies. In reality, part and mold design can help take care of those problems. Therefore, it’s actually more important to make sure you’re using the most effective part and mold designs before production even begins. This is the best way to ensure that quality molded parts are the result of your必威体育iosprocess。
必威体育iosMyth #6: Injection Molding Machines Produce High Amounts of Scrap
The Truth:In reality, theinjection molding processresults in low scrap rates when compared to many other traditional manufacturing processes, such asCNC machining。These traditional processes often cut away substantial percentages of an original plastic block or sheet, resulting in additional scrap. The low amounts of waste plastic that are produced by必威体育iosmainly come fromfour areasof theplastic injection molding machine: the sprue, runners, gate locations, and any overflow material that leaks out of the part cavity itself.
Now that you know the truth behind some of the most common必威体育iosmyths, you can optimize your processes to be more efficient and effective!
If you’re looking for aninjection molding machine for saleor need help determining whattype of injection molding machineyour business needs before making a purchase,reach outto the experts atPlastiWintoday!
