Why Injection Molding is the Go-To Process for Manufacturing Plastic Parts
Used to manufacture precise, complex parts in large volumes, injection molding involves injecting liquified material into a mold cavity, where it cools and solidifies into a desired shape. This automated manufacturing process is especially popular for manufacturing plastic parts at high rates, which is why it’s widely used across essential industries, including automotive, medical, electronics, and consumer goods.
Compared to other types of molding processes, injection molding offers a wide range of advantages, from faster production times to less waste. Below, we explore eight top advantages of the injection molding process.
From essential parts to brand-elevating badging, Form Manufacturing provides the highest level of professional support for your injection molding project, regardless of size or complexity. Talk to us today about how we can bring your manufacturing vision to life.
1. Increased Precision & Consistency
Modern injection molding machines, like the BOY 125E and Arburg ALLROUNDER 275V which Form Manufacturing uses, allow for mass production of parts while ensuring precision and consistency, time after time. The highly repeatable process results in the tight tolerances that are crucial for many industries and their products.
2. Complex Part Design
Due to that precision and consistency, injection molding is perfectly suited to handle the production of highly complex parts. This makes it the optimal choice for creating parts with intricate designs and shapes when compared to other manufacturing processes like machining or casting.
3. Higher Efficiency & Speed
Capable of repeating cycles in a matter of seconds or minutes — depending on the part’s size and complexity — injection molding is the most efficient form of molding and one of the fastest ways to produce high volumes of identical components. This means faster turnarounds and the ability to get products to market faster.
4. Lower Costs
While the initial cost to create molds can be relatively high, the price drops significantly with large production runs. The efficiency, effectiveness, and high capacity of the automated injection molding process helps reduce manufacturing costs by reducing labor and streamlining mass production with less supervision needed.
5. Enhanced Strength & Durability
Modern injection-molded plastic components deliver strength and durability on par with traditional long-lasting materials such as metal. High-performance blends can also be designed with fillers or reinforced structures that enhance those properties while meeting particular desired specifications.
6. Reduced Weight
From automotive to aerospace, lightweight plastics are used in a number of industries to reduce overall weight, thus enhancing performance and efficiency of machines and devices. Lightweight yet high-strength thermoplastics are practically just as strong and durable as many of their steel counterparts.
7. Color, Material, & Texture Flexibility
Complex part designs often require various components featuring different appearances and materials. Accommodating a wide array of colors, textures, and plastics — like ABS, polycarbonate, and nylon — injection molding offers countless combinations able to be tailored to one’s specific needs and applications. This allows for greater manufacturing flexibility and increased branding opportunities than other molding processes.
8. Minimal Waste
Injection molding tends to produce much less post-production scrap than traditional manufacturing processes. The main reason for this is that injection molded parts are near complete when they exit the mold. This minimizes waste and the need for additional finishing or assembly operations, which also helps lower costs. Meanwhile, any plastic left over can be reground and recycled for future molding cycles.
These are eight of the top advantages that the injection molding process holds over other molding manufacturing processes, which is why Form Manufacturing specializes in it. With more than 20 years of experience in injection molded devices, components, and packaging, our designers and engineers will work closely with you at every stage to turn your product vision into reality and provide the optimal customer experience. Contact us today to discuss your unique manufacturing needs.
