When creating a product that requires molded plastic parts, depending on the type of application and type of part you want to produce, you have several processes to choose from. One of the most popular processes to achieve high quality and cost-effective plastic parts is injection molding.
Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts in large volumes – from thousands to millions. The melted resin is injected into a hollow mold until it is completely filled. The injection molding process uses high temperature and extreme pressure to sufficiently fill the interior with molten plastic resin or liquid polymers. The molds are then cooled to release completed plastic parts.
The process is highly versatile and can produce a myriad of parts for a wide variety of applications.
Typical products made with plastic injection molding
Plastic bottles
These products are the most common product manufactured by the billions each year, ranging in multiple shapes and sizes. Typically, the plastic bottles used to hold potable water and other drinks are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), because the material is both strong and light.
Electronic housings
They also fabricate electronic housings quite commonly with injection molding services. Used in devices such as remote controls, computers, televisions, medical equipment, and other consumer electronic components, housings are all produced by the injection molding process. Injection molding services can manufacture any custom plastic enclosures for practically any application and sizes.
Toys
Imagine a building material that is lightweight, durable, and doesn’t corrode; it comes in many sizes and colors and its design is for easy precise assembly. The Lego brand of building block recognized by all is made of firmer plastic granules that are heated until liquefied and then injected into metal molds in which the plastic cools and solidifies into a studded brick or another shape. But what’s important is that each brick and component is accurately molded so they’ll all fit together. It’s a precision product available in many colors, shapes, and sizes.
Agricultural
OEMs designing for the agricultural marketplace are switching to plastic as a low-cost alternative to metal components commonly using throughout the industry. Plastics offer higher resistance to impacts during use, humidity, and are able to resist extreme high or low temperatures. UV additives also help protect plastic parts from harsh weather conditions or exposure to corrosive substances.
Household
Molded closures, containers, components, and drinkware are just a few of the common items that can be custom fabricated with injection molding.
Machinery and automotive components
For bumpers, dashboards, radio controls, cup holders, and many other elements found in cars and transportation vehicles, both interior and exterior, they also use the injection molding process to make.
Healthcare industry
In the healthcare field, the injection molding process makes thousands of products. The healthcare industry relies heavily on multipurpose plastic products that can be manufactured in bulk, as many of these products are single-use, disposable items to maintain sterility or to prevent the spread of germs or disease. From plastic syringes to tools used in medical procedures, injection molding is what helps the medical professionals get their jobs done.
Applications of injection molding
Injection molding is a very common manufacturing method used to produce everyday household items. The applications cover commercial, industrial, and consumer products alike. Injection molding offers the versatility to generate designs that have intricate detail or complexity, down to simpler forms in any range of sizes from small to large objects.
This method has produced solid parts such as electronic housings, bottle caps, containers, computers, televisions components, outdoor furniture, agricultural products, toys, machinery components, and much more.
- Commercial products:
Electrical boxes
Mop heads
High-end trash and recycling receptacles
Vending machine components
Equipment housings - Medical components:
Sharps disposal bins and wall mounts
Medication trays - Automotive:
Color-matched interior components - Commercial construction:
Conduits for concrete beams
Insulators
Raised flooring panels - Residential construction:
Roofing vents
Railing gaskets
Deck fasteners - Consumer goods:
Skateboard storage racks
Barbecue accessory
Bird feeder
Tackle boxes
Toilet seats - Toys and hobbies:
High-end collectible models
Decorated children’s furniture - POP (point of purchase):
Spring-loaded supermarket display tray
Literature display rack - Home products:
Flower pots
Wire ties
Air freshener units - Foodservice:
High-temperature serving pans
Bread trays
NSF foodservice products - Sporting goods:
Training device
Exercise tools - Short-run 3D printed components:
Electrical knobs
Specialty buttons
Fixtures
The process of injection molding may seem like a complex one, but it’s the most common manufacturing method because of its capability and efficiency to produce a plethora of everyday items. Injection molding is one of the most cost-effective ways to build both functional prototypes and end-use products.
Fillplas has products for injection molding. Please visit our website for more information.
