7 BEST PRODUCTS MADE WITH PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING
When discussing the products made through the process of Plastic Injection Molding these seven products are the most talked about.
EV (Electronic Vehicle) Parts:
Plastic injection molding is a widely used manufacturing process for creating various parts for electric vehicles (EVs), and it is a versatile and cost-effective technique that offers several advantages over traditional methods like metal stamping or machining.
- Plastics significantly lighten EVs compared to metals, which can help improve EVs’ range and efficiency. Lighter vehicles require less energy to move.
- Designers can mold plastic into complex shapes, which gives designers more freedom to create innovative and aerodynamic parts.
- Injection molding is a relatively low-cost manufacturing process for high-volume production, especially.
- Engineers have engineered modern plastics to be strong and durable, and these plastics can withstand the harsh conditions that EVs are exposed to.
- Some plastics are good electrical insulators, which is important for safety in EVs.
Some of the most common EV parts that are made using plastic injection molding include:
Interior trim: EV manufacturers use plastic injection molding to produce parts like dashboards, door panels, and center consoles.
Exterior panels: EV manufacturers use plastic for certain exterior panels, such as fenders and bumpers.
Battery enclosures: EV manufacturers often make the housing for the battery pack from plastic injection molding.
Charging components: EV manufacturers make many charging connectors and cables from plastic injection molding.
Electrical components: EV manufacturers sometimes make electrical components, such as housings for sensors and motors, from plastic injection molding.
So in the coming years, EV manufacturers are expected to grow the use of plastic injection molding as they strive to make lighter, more efficient, and more affordable vehicles.
Overall, plastic injection molding offers EV manufacturers several advantages over traditional methods, and it is expected to play an increasingly important role in the future of electric vehicle manufacturing.
2. Automotive Parts:
Automotive manufacturers widely use plastic injection molding to create automotive parts. It’s a cost-effective and versatile way for automotive manufacturers to produce complex shapes in large quantities.
The Process:
- Automotive manufacturers first create a mold that matches the desired shape of the part. Automotive manufacturers typically make this mold from steel or aluminum and must make it very precise to ensure the quality of the finished product.
- Next, automotive manufacturers choose the right type of plastic for the part. Many different types of plastics are available, each with unique properties. Some common plastics automotive manufacturers use in injection molding include polypropylene, ABS, and nylon.
- Automotive manufacturers then melt the plastic in a heated chamber and inject it into the mold under high pressure. The plastic cools and hardens in the mold, and automotive manufacturers eject the finished part.
- Automotive manufacturers may need to trim, sand, or paint the finished part to achieve the desired finish.
List of Automotive Parts created using Plastic Injection Molding
Automotive manufacturers use plastic injection molding to create a wide variety of automotive parts, including:
Exterior parts: Automotive manufacturers use injection molding for bumpers, fenders, grilles, spoilers, and mirrors.
Interior parts: Automotive manufacturers use injection molding for dashboards, door panels, consoles, and seats.
Engine parts: Automotive manufacturers use injection molding for intake manifolds, valve covers, timing gears.
Advantages for automotive companies
Plastic injection molding offers manufacturers several advantages over other manufacturing processes, including:
High production speed: Manufacturers can produce parts quickly and efficiently with injection molding.
Low cost: The injection molding process is relatively inexpensive for manufacturers, especially for high-volume production.
Versatility: Manufacturers can produce a wide variety of shapes and sizes with injection molding.
Precision: Manufacturers can produce parts with high precision and accuracy using injection molding.
Durability: Many plastics are strong and durable, making them ideal materials for manufacturers to use for automotive applications.
Plastic injection molding is a valuable manufacturing process for automotive manufacturers. It allows them to produce high-quality, affordable parts quickly and efficiently.
3. Liquid Silicone Rubber:
Manufacturers use liquid silicone rubber (LSR) injection molding to create high-volume, precision, and durable silicone rubber parts. It’s a thermoset process, meaning manufacturers make the liquid silicone undergo a chemical reaction that permanently sets its shape. This is different from thermoplastic injection molding, where manufacturers melt the plastic and then cool it to solidify.
LSR Process:
- First, manufacturers create a mold from steel or aluminum. Manufacturers design the mold cavity to match the final shape of the desired part.
- Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is a two-part material consisting of a base and a catalyst. Manufacturers mix these two parts just before injection.
- Manufacturers inject the mixed LSR into the heated mold cavity under pressure. Manufacturers typically heat the mold to around 150–200 °C (300–400 °F).
- The LSR cures (sets) in the mold cavity. The curing time depends on the part thickness and the desired properties of the final part.
- Once the LSR is cured, manufacturers open the mold, and eject the part.
- Some parts may require manufacturers to do secondary processing, such as trimming or finishing.
Advantages of Liquid Silicone Rubber Plastic Injection Molding
LSR plastic injection molding offers manufacturers several advantages over other manufacturing processes, including:
High precision: Manufacturers can produce LSR parts with very tight tolerances.
Flexibility: LSR is a very flexible material, which makes it ideal for manufacturers to use for parts that need to bend or stretch.
Durability: Manufacturers can make LSR parts resistant to heat, chemicals, and UV rays.
Biocompatibility: LSR is a biocompatible material, which makes it suitable for manufacturers to use for medical and food applications.
Design freedom: Manufacturers can mold LSR into complex shapes.
4. Electronic Enclosures And Hearings:
Plastic injection molding allows manufacturers to produce durable and integrated external housings as well as enclosures efficiently for all types of electronic products, from mobile phone covers to monitors.
5. Toys and Sporting Goods:
Manufacturers produce a vast number of toys, outdoor equipment, and seasonal furniture by plastic injection molding in a vast range of varieties and colors that suit decoration and custom surface textures.
6. Healthcare and Medical Products:
The plastic injection molding process has allowed manufacturers to contribute greatly to the healthcare industry by producing parts ranging from IV connectors to tracheal tube holders, splint pill dispensers, and disposable syringes that utilize molded plastic parts for ease of use, hygiene, and precision dimensional consistency.
7. Consumer Goods:
Manufacturers utilize the plastic injection molding process in everyday household goods for low-cost and practical designs ranging from appliances to utensils, organizational items, and office supplies.
