Plastic injection molding is a one of the most mass produced entity across the globe. From automotive to electronics, from medical equipment to fitness, and entertainment toys to packaging, it has countless application. But how does manufacturing facilities ensure consistency while maintaining quality for mass production at such grand level?
Well, there are many intricate factors involved in accomplishing this huge task- high-end machinery, robust design, continuous supply of energy, etc. But at the heart of it lies a mold.
In this blog, you will gain key insights into what is mold and why is it crucial for your business to thrive at industrial level.
What is a Mold in Manufacturing Process?
Mold is a specially designed container where the molten plastic is injected, cooled and solidifies into specific shape and form of desired precision and complex plastic part. Essentially, it provides a blueprint for the producing identical plastic parts. It is primarily of 2 parts:
- Cavity: The shapes and defines the external dimensions of the plastic part.
- Core: Gives dimensions to the internal sections.
Mold is made up of steel and aluminum depending upon volume and strength of parts. The other components of a mold are base, ejector, runner, gates, pins, sprue bushing, cooling system and venting system.
Significance of Mold In Manufacturing Industry
Mass Production: Manufacturing companies often do mass production of plastic parts which they supply to their clients. By using molds, they can efficiently produce identical parts consistently on mass scale. Made from high strength steel, molds can withstand high temperature and pressure conditions which is an often occurrence in production environment.
Cost Reduction: Molds provide an excellent cost reducing feature by enabling rapid and less labor intensive production per unit of the complex shaped products. The only significant investment involved is the creation of high-strength mold, which the businesses should weigh in for long term benefits.
Sustainability: The intricate cavities prohibits any wastage of material, manufacturing defects and no needs of reworking, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing.
Consistency: Molds produce high-quality output on mass scale whale maintaining uniformity in dimension and tolerances. This not only ensures longevity of final output but also the manufacturing process as whole.
Considerations for Businesses
Each manufacturing unit requires a unique mold with distinct type, shape, cavity dimensions and material. Here is the list of factors to consider before forming a mold:
Type of Mold
Single-Cavity Mold: For low-volume production.
Multi-Cavity Mold: For high-volume production, reducing cycle times.
Family Mold: Can produce multiple parts of different designs simultaneously.
Hot Runner Mold: Keeps plastic in a molten state, minimizing material waste
Cold Runner Mold: Cost-effective and simpler, suitable for less complex designs.
Type of Material
Plastic injection is mostly done in molds of hardened or pre-hardened steel, aluminum, or beryllium-copper alloy. Steel molds are highly durable; hence they are used in long production runs. Aluminum molds are used in low and rapid production, for example – prototyping, accelerating production rate etc.
Design of Mold
There are several key design considerations in mold due to their complex design. Collaborate with expert mold designers to optimize these factors which include uniformity of wall thickness, tolerances, gate location, draft angles, undercuts, surface texture and other geometrical properties. This avoid manufacturing defects and costly redesigning.
Technological Integration
Use well-funded research and development data, 3D software, automation, and advanced robotics to integrate best technology with your production. Amidst all of these, one thing which cannot be compromised is plastic injection system that you are going to use. Source it from the best manufacturer only.
Why Choose Plastic Injection Mold From Northern Plastics
Northern Plastics is prominent manufacturer and supplier of injection molding solutions. Their plastic molds are highly reliable, cost-effective, durable and can withstand high temperature, and variable stress conditions while giving high performance consistently. They are expert in machining of hot runner, semi hot runner, hot Sprue and auto unscrewing molds. With more than 20 years of experience, they can handle any sort of molding projects. Their skilled personals, are equipped with advance handling equipment to ensure premium quality of delivery.
