If you need a custom plastic part created, there are several types of plastic molding to choose from. It’s important to understand the different processes to determine which will work best for your specific needs. Outlined below are the most popular types of plastic molding and how they work.
Blow Molding
Similar to glass blowing, blow molding is done by inflating a parison with air until it fills the mold and conforms to its shape. Once it has been blown to the desired form, it needs to cool and can then be ejected from the mold. This type of molding is commonly used for hollow objects, as it can create uniform, thin-walled containers, such as bottles or storage containers.
Compression Molding
Compression molding is a highly efficient and cost-effective type of molding. The process involves placing a heated plastic inside a heated mold and then closing it to compress the plastic into your shape of choice. With this method, you can create parts that have all different thickness, length, and intricacy. The parts produced are strong and durable, making this a popular choice among a wide range of industries including automotive parts, household appliances, body armor, and more.
Extrusion Molding
Extrusion molding is a unique process that extrudes the melted plastic material into the die. This means that the shape of the die, rather than the mold, will determine the shape of the final product. This process is commonly used to manufacture parts that are long and hollow, such as straws, tubes, and pipes.
Injection Molding
Injection molding is the process of injecting melted plastic into a mold that is made of steel. Molten plastic is injected through cavities and eventually fills the whole mold. The parts are then ejected by pins once it has cooled. This process is considered to be the most versatile of all the options, allowing for a high level of customization. With injection molding, you are able to create everything from large automotive parts, to tiny intricate parts used in surgical equipment. Although it can be pricey to make the initial molds, after that the production costs are fairly low. This process is typically favored for projects that need high volumes of precise parts.
To learn more about the benefits of mold injection, check out our previous post.
Contact Lee Plastics for Custom Injection Molding
To get started on a custom plastic mold injection project, contact the experts at Lee Plastics. Fill out a contact form or give us a call today at (978) 422-7611.