Plastic injection molding stands out as the predominant method employed in manufacturing small, medium, and large plastic components. This technique involves the use of an injection molding machine, along with raw plastic material and a mold. The plastic undergoes melting within the machine, reaching a molten state, before being injected into the mold. There, it undergoes cooling and solidification, ultimately forming the desired final part.
In the initial stage of injection molding, the process begins with the preparation of the metal tooling, which serves as the mold. When designing a part for injection molding and subsequently crafting its metal mold, adherence to specific design principles is crucial to avoid defects.
Once the mold has been manufactured, it needs to be securely installed into the clamping unit of the injection molding machine.
Within the injection unit of the injection molding machine, raw plastic pellets are stored in a hopper—a conical container capable of dispensing pellets into the plastic injection molding machine as needed.
Once the complete "shot" of molten plastic has been injected into the mold cavity, the cooling and hardening process commences.
Once the plastic part has fully cooled and solidified, the mold can be opened.
After the part has been removed from the mold, it might require painting or undergo surface finishing procedures. Additionally, it could be assembled with other parts, whether molded or non-molded, to create a finished product.
1. The size of the injection molding machine dictates the maximum mold size and subsequently, the maximum part size achievable. Typically, standard machines can accommodate molds up to 500 x 750 mm.
2. Tolerances for injection molded parts vary based on machinery, part complexity, and material. For tighter tolerances, customers may opt for precision molding, albeit at an additional cost.