There are many different processes that can be used to create plastic parts. All of these processes can be an option to consider, and narrowing down the choices is a factor of the specific requirements for the part, the cost of production, and the overall shape, design, and size of the component.
One of the most commonly used options in the production of plastic parts is injection molding. Custom plastic injection molding uses a customized mold that can produce hundreds of thousands of parts over its life cycle. Depending on the mold and the specifics of the component, this number can increase to the millions of parts, making it a cost-effective option to consider.
The Process
The process of custom plastic injection molding is relatively simple, but the expertise and experience of the molding service are critical to quality and precision in the end product.
The plastic, usually in a pellet, granular, or powder form, is heated in the injection barrel to a liquid form. This is molten or liquid plastic is then injected, under pressure, into the cavity of a mold. This cavity meets the exact specifications of the required part.
The mold is designed to convey heat from the plastic, allowing for rapid and controlled cooling. Once cooled, the mold plate opens, and the part is ejected. Larger sizes of custom plastic injection molding companies jobs require specialized types of molds and systems to allow for the rapid injection of larger volumes of plastic into the mold for consistent quality parts.
