Want to know about Injection Molding? Read it!

Basics of injection molding

Making polymers is a fantastic science. Then there is the matter of shaping the plastic into useful objects....another fantastic science. One of the most common methods of shaping plastic resins is a process called injection molding. Injection molding is accomplished by large machines called injection molding machinery.

What is injection molding?

Injection molding is a method of producing plastic parts. This is done with an injection molding machine. The shape of the part to be injection molded controlled by the geometry of the injection mold. The injection molding machine has two basic parts; the injection unit, which melts the plastic and then injects or moves it into the mold, and the clamping unit, which holds the injection mold. The unit clamps the mold in a closed position during injection, opens the mold after cooling, and ejects the finished part. Injection molding is a common method of producing intricate plastic components in high volume.

Plastic injection molding

Plastic injection molding is the primary process for manufacturing plastic parts. Plastic is known to be very versatile and economical material that is used in many applications. Although the tooling is expensive, the cost per part is very low. Complex geometries are possible and limited only to mold manufacture ability. Your computer, monitor, mouse and keyboard are injection molded plastics.

Injection molding involves taking plastic in the form of pellets or granules and heating this material unit a melt is obtained. Then the melt is forced into a split-die chamber/mold where is allowed to “cool” into the desired shape. The mold is then opened and the part is ejected, at which time the cycle is repeated.

Injection molding is performed by companies called molders. Some molders also design and build injection molds. The most common materials injection molded are plastic (plastic injection molding) and rubber (rubber injection molding).