The most widely used manufacturing process for the fabrication of plastic products is the plastic injection molding. This is due to the many products that the process can produce, and these products can vary according to their size, intricacy, and application.
This process starts by melting the plastic in a hot barrel. The melted material is then mixed and fed into the molding machine where the plastic will solidify into the final product once it cools.
Let’s explore the advantages of leaning towards the plastic injection molding process. These make up the reason why this process is preferred over comparative plastic processing and manufacturing methods.
1) Accuracy. Plastic injection molding is an accurate method. It is capable of fabricating any sort of products with the use of molds. The plastic molds that will form the final product will usually create an error of just 0.005 inches at most.
2) Speed. The process is so fast it is able to complete within a few seconds, depending on the complexity of the mold. Other technologies or processes would take longer, which could cost the production process much more expensive.
3) Labor Cost. Equipment for creating injection moulded products runs automatically. It would need minimal supervision because of its streamlined process. Also, it could keep human error to a minimum more efficiently.
4) Resourcefulness. Plastic itself can be destructive to the environment. However, if resources are used in a sustainable way, it would not hurt the environment greatly and will remain useful to humans. Plastic injection molding will only use as much resources as is necessary, and the excess plastic can be recycled.
5) Flexibility. This process that involves the use of plastic injection molds can form final products according to how the manufacturer pictures them. It allows the user to change the color and other specifications of the product.
7) Finishing. The process creates products that come out smooth and with refined finishing. This allows the company or manufacturer to spend less on finding someone to inspect and ensure the end product would turn out without surface flaws.
8) Co-injection molding. The plastic injection molding machines are capable of processing two different materials in the same mould.
9) Production Cost. Manufacturers make sure they have ticked two items on their checklist when it comes to finding the right process: cheap production cost and machines that can be used long-term. The creation of a mold is expensive. However, after this is created, manufacturers will be able to create huge quantities of end products by using it. As a result, the company will be able to save money.
10) Efficiency. Plastic injection molding is probably the most popular plastic product creation process at the moment. Many companies lean towards the use of this process simply because of the many benefits it can deliver, as we have discussed just now!