Injection moulding is an advanced technology that enables efficient and precise custom plastic fabrication of various plastic objects. This article provides a closer look at this process, its stages and industrial applications.
Material and machinery preparation for injection moulding
To begin with, it should be noted that plastic injection moulding is based on processing granulated products that are melted under high temperatures. The process requires the application of specialist equipment called injection moulding machines. During the first stage, granulated products are placed in the machine’s hopper, where they are then transported to a heating cylinder. Therein, upon heating, the material changes its consistence to liquid.
Injecting a molten plastic into a mould
When the plastic reaches an appropriate temperature and consistence, it is injected under high pressure into a sealed mould. The mould is in a shape that replicates the end product, and its structure is crucial to the quality of manufactured elements. It should be noted that moulds for plastic injection are usually made from steel or aluminium to guarantee high durability and workpiece replication precision.
Plastic cooling and hardening
Cooling follows injecting a plastic into a mould. As the temperature decreases, the material begins to harden, taking the shape corresponding to the mould. The cooling time is crucial in terms of the product obtaining optimal mechanical or aesthetic properties. An insufficiently long cooling time may lead to deformations or cracks, while an excessively long duration can result in deteriorated product efficiency.
Removing a finished product and quality control
When the plastic is properly cooled and hardened, a finished product is removed. Depending on the type of the machine and mould, the process may be automatic or one that requires operator intervention. This stage also involves quality control of the fabricated elements, to make sure that they satisfy the technical and aesthetic requirements.
Process optimization and innovations
As the injection moulding technology evolves, engineers and manufacturing specialists, such as Noex, a manufacturer of plastic products, constantly put effort into optimizing the process and introducing innovations. This enables achieving even greater precision, speed and cost efficiency. It also involves introducing new materials, such as biodegradable plastics or composites, which allow to create products exhibiting better properties and a lower environmental impact.
