Understanding Various Plastic Molding Processes

1. Understanding Various Plastic Molding Processes Monroe Mold

2. Plastic molding is the process of molding plastic into a desired shape, depending on the purpose it is meant for. Since Plastic is a synthetic material, it turns into a semi-liquid form when heated. This semi-liquid plastic is then put in pre-designed molds, and then cooled down as it sets into the shape of the mold. The molded piece of plastic is then taken out of the mold for its application by users in the market. www.monroemold.com

3. From the time plastic molding started, there have been significant advancements in plastic molding techniques to cater to the rising demands for a diverse range of molded plastic products. Below is a rundown on 5 main plastic molding techniques, which are most commonly used for handling any type of plastic molding job.

4. BLOW MOLDING… suited for making hollow plastic containers, such as bottles and glasses Under this process, a heated mass of plastic in a tubular form is inflated by blowing a steady jet of air. This air pushes the molten plastic against the walls of the mold to create the desired shape of plastic. The blow molding process is particularly useful in manufacturing one-piece hollow objects in high volumes at a very economical budget. The containers created through this process have a very thin and uniformed wall density.

5. COMPRESSION MOLDING… suited for making larger plastic objects such as auto parts Under this process, a heated mass of plastic is placed in an already heated mold and then compressed to give it the desired shape. This method of molding is particularly useful in making high-strength compounds like fiberglass and reinforced plastic. Owing to the superior strength properties of the reinforced plastic made through this process, compression molding has become an integral process for the automotive industry.

6. EXTRUSION MOLDING… suited for long hollow plastic tubing, pipes and straws Under this process, the melted plastic is forced to pass through a die into a shape with a fixed cross section. In this process, it is the dye shape and not the mold that actually has an impact on the shape of the product coming out of this process. However, since this process involves melting plastic from a solid form and then re-solidifying it, only thermoplastics can be used in the process of extrusion molding.

7. INJECTION MOLDING… Injection molding or plastic injection molding process is definitely the most flexible of all injection molding techniques. The injection molds used in this process, which are generally made of steel, have cavities inside to shape up different plastic parts according to specifications. In this process, molten plastic is injected into a steel mold, which fills the cavities inside with plastic. The steel mold is then cooled down, and the plastic parts thus designed are ejected out by pins. Although the cost of making steel molds is pretty high for this process, but the cost per part comes out cheaper as one mold can make multiple plastic parts. suited for high-quality, high-volume manufacturing of plastic parts

8. ROTATIONAL MOLDING… suited for making large, hollow, one-piece plastic parts Under this process, high temperatures and rotational movements are used to coat the inside of the mold and shape the plastic parts. The continuous rotation of the mold results in formation of plastic parts with an even thickness. One of the main advantages of this type of molding is that very little material is wasted during this process, and whatever wastage does occur during the process can be reused as well.

9. Now that you know all about the various plastic molding processes, it should be much easier for you to recognize the process that will be most suited for your plastic molding requirements. www.monroemold.com