Rapid injection molding is a manufacturing process of making parts using thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. From small parts to an entire body panel, this technique can manufacture a variety of products. Fluid plastic is first heated and then injected into a mold at high temperatures. This mold is then allowed to cool down.
The Processes Involved in Injection Molding
Rapid Prototyping Plastic Injection Molding is carried out in four steps of plasticizing, injection, chilling, and ejection, which are as below.
1. Plasticizing
It is the first step that involves the conversion of polymer material into injection fluid. The polymer material from its normal granular form gets converted into a liquid that gets injected. The process gets carried out at the correct melting temperature.
2. Injection
The process of filling up the liquid into a mold is known as an injection. The liquid is to fill and cover up the cavities.
3. Chilling
After the liquid injection into the mold, its temperature lowers down to bring the consistency back to a rigid state. This process is called chilling.
4. Ejection
The last phase of rapid prototyping injection molding is ejection. Here, the cooled and molded part gets removed from the mold cavity.
All these processes are different from each other and hold equal importance. Choose rapid prototyping services to carry out all the steps accurately for the successful manufacturing completion process. All these steps get accomplished in a sequence that can produce outstanding parts. The time gap between each process varies from ten to a hundred seconds. You can maintain this time range by controlling the cooling time of the melted plastic.
Materials Used in Injection Molding Machines
The most commonly used pelletized or powdered materials used in injection molding machines are ethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, nylon, and ABS. These materials generate melted plastic that goes into the hopper of machines.
Bottom Line
Injection molding is capable of tolerances. This technique is implemented to make items like bottle caps and outdoor furniture. We can also use it for producing components for the medical field like blood analyzers, heat pumps, and orthopedic devices.
