Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness:
Injection Molding & Tooling
The Plastic Injection Molding Process
Heating
The process begins with plastic pellets, which are small, pre-measured pieces of plastic material. The pellets are fed into a hopper, which is a container that feeds the material into the injection molding machine. The pellets are conveyed into a heated barrel, where they are subjected to high temperatures. As the pellets move through the heated barrel, they melt and become a viscous liquid.
Injection
A rotating screw within the barrel pushes the molten plastic forward. The molten plastic is forced through a nozzle and into the mold cavity. The plastic is injected into the mold under high pressure to ensure it fills the cavity completely.
Cooling
The molten plastic remains in the mold cavity, where it cools and solidifies. The mold is often equipped with cooling channels that circulate a coolant (usually water) to expedite the cooling process. As the plastic cools, it solidifies and takes the shape of the mold cavity.
Ejection
The mold opens, separating the finished part from the mold cavity. Ejection pins push the part out of the mold. If necessary, excess material (flash) is trimmed from the part. The finished part is inspected for defects and quality control.