Injection molding refers to the process by which a wide range of complex plastic parts and components are produced. The process can benefit OEMs in various industries. It is characterized by consistency, affordability, and comes in handy in producing high-quality plastics that can be used in virtually any environment.
Here are some benefits that indicate just how important injection molding can be to manufacturers today:
Production of Complex Geometry Parts
The use of a scientific molding technique and the right tool design helps optimize the process. Through this process, manufacturers can produce complex plastic parts with detailed designs, as the one shown below:
Efficiency
By working with a qualified and seasoned injection molder, you can be sure that you have a team with years of experience in the field. Therefore, they understand how to optimize designs and guarantee efficiency in their manufacturing process. Such teams also understand the importance of paying attention to the design beforehand to avoid any major projects onwards. Overmolding also helps merge various steps during the manufacturing process for increased efficiency.
Strength
The sturdiness and durability of plastics have improved in recent years. What’s more, light thermoplastics available today can withstand harsh conditions. With many options for engineering-grade plastics, OEMs can easily find the best for their application.
Possibility of Using Multiple Plastic Types Simultaneously
It is common for complex part designs to comprise parts made of different materials. Plastic experts from the team of project engineers help to ascertain that the polymers to be used are compatible under various conditions for minimal chances of defects.
Cost Cutting
Injection molding can help OEMs lower costs in various ways, including the processes of consolidating plastic parts and overmolding. However, the most significant process leading to lower costs of such projects is reducing the number of defects, which can also be seen as increasing the component design’s moldability prior to production. Overall, this reduces the need for tooling changes once the process starts.
Precision
OEMs that execute complex and tight-tolerance part designs can use injection molders to achieve accuracy of up to +/- 0.001 inches.
Shorter Production Timelines
OEMs can achieve shorter production timelines with injection molding, thanks to upfront design support and even moldflow analysis software. This provides more time for marketing.
Various Finishes
Do your plastic components need a smooth finish? The process of molding mostly gives off parts with a smooth finish almost identical to the required look. You don’t have to settle for a smooth appearance since injection molding provides for various surface finishes that don’t need extra operations. Injection molding can give the desired finish, be it a matte finish, engraved surface, and any other unique texture.
High-Output Production
If you need a large sum of a single component or part, injection molding provides the ideal solution given its consistency and ability to produce a repeatable design. This way, all parts can be created off the same mold.
Color Options
Injection molding provides options for the colors you may choose for your plastics. Whenever overmolding and two-shot techniques are used, it is possible to have multiple colors on your product.
Consistency of Parts
Critical-use plastic components call for consistent and repeatable production processes that are highly accurate and with the ability to achieve complex designs. Injection molding guarantees consistency by using the same mold in the production of each part as well as scientific molding sensors for monitoring the inside of the mold.
Flexibility
Injection molding proves flexibility on many fronts – plastic properties, color options, and even material selection. With injection molding, OEMs have plenty of design choices, unlike metal.
Reduced Labor Costs
Most parts of the injection molding process are automated using machines and robots operated by a one mold technician or operator. This lowers the labor costs significantly and cuts some cost for the customer as well.
Light-Weighting
OEMs in the various industries such as the automotive and military are increasingly using plastics to significantly reduce their products’ weight. Lately, high-strength, light thermoplastics are being preferred to metal components, with no noticeable difference in strength and reliability.
Why Working with a Seasoned Injection Molder is Important
For them to reap all the benefits of injection molding as mentioned above, manufacturers should strive to work with seasoned complex injection molders. These professionals understand how to maximize and deal with and design or process issues that may come about. Using the best technology, equipment, and material only gets you so far; having the best, most seasoned engineers and tooling partners is what makes the real difference in terms of the costs, lead times, and the quality of the final product.
