Gone were the days where you needed to invest a lot of your time and money but eventually got fewer benefits than what you paid for when it comes to your whole manufacturing process.
Companies have been facing a rather fast transition from manpower to machine power. A lot of technological innovations have been and will be made. This makes our life way easier and more cost-efficient.
One innovation that has been on the buzz recently is injection molding. It has the ability to scale up the mass production of products. If your company is into producing large volumes per part of a product, then you might want to know more about this new technology.
All the pros and cons have been listed in this article. Just like the saying goes knowledge is power, we never know after reading this you might eventually say yes to injection molding.
About Injection Molding
Injection molding is used for mass-production processes. This new technique supports rapid, low-cost but still high-quality manufacturing of large volumes of plastic parts. It involves a material injection into a mold which makes plastic production very easy.
Significance of Using Injection Molding
Aside from the fact that this new technology supports low-cost and high-quality production, there are also some other significant advantages when using this type of production process. It also has its share of disadvantages that you might want to consider as well.
Compared to other traditional plastic production methods, it produces a relatively low scrap rate. This can be both a pro or a con depending on the type of production process you are doing. Generally, this is an advantage because it ensures that all of the materials are properly used to their full extent leaving only a small amount of scraps that you can’t use anymore.
However, if you are into 3D printing, this might not be the right option for you. It is also good to take note that the scrap produced is consistent having four areas namely the runners, spruce, gate locations, and any overflow material leaking out from the mold.
Another advantage is that the whole production process is repeatable. That’s why this is commonly used for the production of large volumes of products. This makes the product’s quality and durability consistent in every process. Also, strengthens the brand’s consistency and reputation in the industry.
Factors to Consider When Opting for Injection Molding
Success spurs from good planning. Before venturing into injection molding or even joining the bandwagon, here are the factors that you need to consider in order to make sure that you will get more benefits than the costs that you will pay for.
First on the list would be the financial consideration. This new technology process really needs a large initial investment because of the costs for designing, tooling requirements, and testing. The entry cost is partnered with the production quantity. You need to estimate a conservative margin. Determine the quantity produced per process that will break even on your initial investment. Only opt for it when it’s cost-efficient, meaning you will get more benefits compared to the amount you invested in.
The next thing that you need to consider would be the design. A definite and final design should be set already from the very beginning. Simple geometry and minimal parts work best when it comes to injection molding.
An additive manufacturing process is not suggested for this will only make it resource inefficient. Aside from the design itself, the tools, especially the mold should be properly checked. Always make sure that it is structured in a way that defects and leakage would be prevented during the production process.
Lastly would be the production considerations. Cycle time should be minimized as much as possible. A mere cutting of a few seconds can significantly save you a lot of money. This is also why it is recommended to keep your design simple. Assembly time is also included throughout the whole cycle. Minimizing assembly can also significantly save you money from any manpower or labor.
New Developments and Innovations
Innovations lead to new developments in injection molding. There are various methods available in the market namely gas-assisted, thin-wall, foam, and multi-component injection molding.
Gas-assisted injection molding is the typical method where pressurized gas is injected into the mold. The commonly used gas for this process is nitrogen. The gas produced bubbles that expanded then filled the different sections of the mold. It is injected directly or through a nozzle in the machine.
Thin-wall injection molding got its name from its end result which is very thin walls. The general rule for a thin wall is half a millimeter in width. Currently, this is widely appreciated and sought for.
Foam injection molding involves two layers in between a foam core. It produces rigid and high-resistance structural parts. Moreover, it also has an improved electric characteristic, great chemical resistance, and thermal isolation.
Multi-component injection molding is also known as over injection. It involves over-molding a soft or hard polymer over plastic or metallic component. It is an injection of two or more components within one mold.
Whatever method you might want or need for your production process, entrust your FOW injection moulding to a trusted and reliable company. FOW injection is the future of moldings because of their superior durability, flexibility in designs, and affordability. You can then couple these designs with various home decors such as the ones you can find on Roetell’s website.
Go for a company that is not just a mold maker but will be your partner in building a cost-efficient and effective process. This way your investment and effort will surely not be left in vain.
Conclusion
This new technology is indeed going beyond borders when it comes to the manufacturing process. There are various innovative ways to choose from when it comes to injection molding. Remember to always weigh the benefits over costs when it comes to investing only the best for your company.
In fact, the rise of injection molding encompasses future innovation. With the increasing demand of machine work and less manpower needed, the future is up for another taste of technology. This makes life more convenient and easier to maneuver.
