| What is Custom injection molding? | | | | the plastic granules and then injects them into the |
| The first question that comes to mind on hearing the | | | | mold by either a reciprocating screw or a ram |
| term Custom injection molding is what is Custom | | | | injector. The reciprocating screw offers the ability to |
| injection molding? Custom injection molding refers to | | | | inject smaller amounts of resin in the total shots, |
| the making of plastic parts for specific applications i.e. | | | | which is better for producing smaller parts. After |
| customizing the components as per the customer's | | | | injection, the mold is cooled constantly until the resin |
| requirements. | | | | reaches a temperature that allows it to solidify. |
| Injection molding of Custom Plastic Parts | | | | Complications with Injection Molding |
| Injection molding is a process in which plastic pellets | | | | Injection molding complications are few and can be |
| are melted and injected under high pressure into a | | | | easily avoided by paying close attention to the design |
| mold cavity. The molded parts are then ejected, and | | | | of the mold, the process itself and caring for your |
| the process repeated. The finished products can then | | | | equipment. Parts can be burned or scorched when |
| be used as is, or as a component of other products. | | | | the temperature is too high, which is sometimes |
| To do so requires an injection molding machine and | | | | caused by the length of the cycle time which may be |
| tooling (often called a mold or die). The molding | | | | too long. This causes the resin to overheat. Warping |
| machine consists of a clamping unit to open and close | | | | of parts happens when there is an uneven surface |
| the mold automatically, and an injection unit to heat | | | | temperature for the molds. Surface imperfections |
| and inject the material into the closed mold. Injection | | | | (commonly known as bubbles) happen when the melt |
| molding utilizes very high pressures and typically the | | | | temperature is too high, which causes the resin to |
| machine is hydraulic or, increasingly, electric. Tooling | | | | break down and produce gas. This can also be |
| for production injection molding applications must be | | | | caused by moisture in the resin. Another complication |
| able to survive under high pressure and is made from | | | | is incomplete cavity filling, which occurs when there |
| steel or aluminum. The potential high cost of tooling | | | | isn't enough resin released into the mold or if the |
| often drives the economics of a plastic molding | | | | injection speed is too slow, which results in the resin |
| application. Injection molding is an effective way to | | | | freezing. |
| make custom parts. | | | | Running a Custom Injection Molding Business |
| The process broken down | | | | Custom molding business is a competitive business |
| There are three main components in the injection | | | | and to survive you should find your niche market. |
| molding process. The injection apparatus itself which | | | | Most custom molders in business today have found a |
| melts and then transmits the plastic, the mold, which | | | | niche. Through experience, the molder became good |
| is custom designed, and clamping to provide | | | | at molding a particular type of part or at molding a |
| controlled pressure. The mold is a specially designed | | | | particular kind of material, or in working in a specific |
| tool with a base and one or more cavities that will | | | | segment of the marketplace. In other words, he |
| eventually be filled with resin. The injection unit melts | | | | acquired an expertise and stuck with it. |