Month: December 2017

Types of Plastic Blow and Injection Molding Part 2

Posted on December 26, 2017 by - Blog

Types of Plastic Blow and Injection Molding Part 2

Injection stretch blow molding consolidates the injection molding and blow molding processes. The plastic is first formed into a strong preform, to make a threaded container neck. Once the preform cools it is encouraged into an extend blow form machine. The preform is then warmed utilizing an infrared radiator and blown into a plastic jug with constrained compacted air.

Injection molding and blow molding are two predominant procedures in plastic molding. Items made through these procedures are utilized as a part of an extensive variety of businesses, for example, car, food perp, hardware, medical gear, water system, dental, guns, energy and environment enterprises.

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The Blow Molding Process

Amid the blow molding process, the resin plastic material is molded into an empty tube with one open end called a parison. The parison is squeezed into a cooled metal form and packed air is blown into the parison. At the point when the shaped plastic cools and solidifies, the metal form opens and removes the item.

There are three kinds of blow forming forms:

Injection Blow Molding

In injection blow molding, a blow or center pole is utilized all through the procedure. To start with a parison is infused into a part form hole around the bar. The parison that is shaped seems to be like a test tube. The center bar transfers the parison to the blow mold machine where constrained air makes the last shape. The bar at that point exchanges and expels the completed item from the machine.

Extrusion Blow Molding

Extrusion blow molding can be constant or discontinuous. In consistent expulsion blow molding, a parison will be continually moved into the mold and each frame will be cut off with a cutting edge as it forms. Intermittent Extrusion blow molding ousts each new plastic from the metal form when it is cooled and the parison is put into the mold after the previous parison is removed.

Extrusion blow molds are for the most part significantly less costly than infusion blow molds and can be created in a considerably shorter timeframe. Extrusion blow molding is suitable for short runs.

Injection Stretch Blow Molding

Injection stretch blow molding consolidates the infusion molding and blow molding procedures. The plastic is first shaped into a strong preform, to make a threaded container neck.

Once the preform cools it is put into a stretch blow molding machine. The preform is then warmed utilizing an infrared warmer and blown into a plastic container with constrained packed air.

What Molding Processes Does Your Product Require?

What sort of assembling process is appropriate for your next venture? Our architects have many years of experience and comprehend what kind of material and form is appropriate for you. Get in touch with us to examine your new plastic design and we will walk you through the assembling procedure that is best for your task needs.

Plastics and Their Qualities

Posted on December 25, 2017 by - Blog

Plastics and Their Qualities

Getting a custom plastic part made is no easy task, especially not if you’re planning to have a plastic injection mold made especially for your design. When that’s the case, getting to the point where you can finally start to produce your part will not only be hard work, but it will also be costly. After all plastic injection molds don’t come cheap! So where can you start in the process?

One thing that definitely helps is to know what kind of plastic you’ll be using and how that plastic will be applied to the mold. Knowing this can help move the process of designing a mold for your product. Plastic is a very versatile material, and so there’s a large variety of plastics available for you to choose from. Each plastic has its own unique set of advantages and drawbacks, meaning the plastic you use will depend largely on what properties you require for your part to function properly. By doing the necessary research, you’ll be able to find the perfect plastic for you.

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Prototyping Your Part With 3D Printing

Before investing in a plastic injection mold to mass produce your product, it’s always best to look into prototyping options. Making a prototype might help you spot possible flaws in your design before it’s too late. By making a prototype, you can get an idea of how the final product will function. You’ll also get a feel for how strong every component (or plastic molded part) in your final product needs to be.

3D printing is an affordable option for prototyping. Although it’s not nearly as versatile as working with injection molded plastic, it can be a reliable way to produce many of the prototype parts you need for your final product design.

Consider the Properties of Your Plastic Molded Part

Once you’re satisfied that your design lives up to your expectation, you’ll want to explore different plastics you can use to manufacture each part. After all, one of the biggest advantages of injection molded plastic over other manufacturing methods is its versatility, especially when it comes to your choice of what material to use.

To get you started on choosing a plastic for your injection molded parts, here’s a list of things you’ll need to consider beforehand:

  • Transparency/translucency: If you need a part that’s transparent or see-through like glass, you’ll immediately eliminate a large amount of plastics that are available for injection molding.
  • Elasticity: While plastic is known for being more elastic than glass and other more organic materials, not all plastics will be a good match for molding parts that have to be bendable. Some plastics are surprisingly brittle, while others are made for strength and durability and purposefully aren’t meant to bend too easily.
  • Durability: Some products are made to last, while others are made for using only once or twice. Durable plastics used in the automotive and technology industries tend to be more expensive than plastics used for disposable goods, so using the toughest plastic for a cheap product usually isn’t a very practical choice.
  • Recycling: If your plastic molded part will be disposable, choosing a plastic that can be recycled easily is definitely recommended.
  • Health safety: Some plastics are known to gradually release toxins. However, the release of these toxins only become a potential health concern if your product will come into direct contact with foods or drinks, like food containers and kitchen equipment.

Remember, your part will end up having the same qualities as the plastic you choose to mold it with. If you don’t consider what qualities you want for your final part carefully, you could end up choosing the wrong plastic to mold it with.

The way molten plastic will move through your injection molds once you start mass producing the part with a specially designed mold will play a big role in the quality of your part. To ensure there aren’t flow lines or other manufacturing defects in your plastic molded parts, your plastic injection mold manufacturer will design the mold with your specific plastic of choice in mind.

Different Types of Plastics and Their Functions

Currently there are so many varieties of plastics available, it would be nearly impossible to list them all in a single article. However, despite the wide variety of plastics available, most plastic molded parts are still produced from only a few basic types of plastics:

  • Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET): PET is the most widely used plastic in the world. It’s recyclable, shatterproof, versatile and cheap enough to make it a practical choice for even disposable items.
  • Polyethylene (PE): Once again, we’re looking at a very versatile plastic variety. Polyethylene comes in different varieties. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is commonly used for things like plastic bags at the grocery store, while high density polyethylene (HDPE) is used for more sturdy items, such as shampoo bottles, food containers and even waste bins.
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC is known for being particularly durable. This makes it a popular choice for products such as plumbing pipes and insulation of electrical wiring. However, while PVC is known for being very durable, it’s not known for being recyclable, This plastic also isn’t considered a good choice for plastic products that will come into foods, as it’s considered to be toxic.
  • Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene is most popularly used to mold plastic parts with living hinges. Unfortunately, however, polypropylene isn’t a popular plastic for recycling in the US.
  • Polylactic Acid(PLA): Unlike most other plastic varieties, polylactic acid is unique in that it’s produced from biomass rather than petroleum. The major benefit of PLA is that it’s more biodegradable than other options, making it an excellent choice for disposable items.
  • Polycarbonate (PC): Polycarbonate is known for being a strong, transparent plastic. This makes it a popular choice for greenhouses.

Once you’re ready to work on creating a plastic injection mold for your product, feel free to call Quality Mold Shop. We specialize in custom made precision molds for almost any industry you can think of.

Take a look at common plastics in injection molding. Looking for a plastic molder?

Types of Plastic Blow and Injection Molding Part 1

Posted on December 19, 2017 by - Blog

Types of Plastic Blow and Injection Molding Part 1

Every plastic part requires a particular assembling process which can be quite unique one item to another. Injection molding is utilized to fabricate solid parts while blow forming is utilized to make plastic items with empty regions, for example, jugs and bottles.

Injection molding and blow forming are two main procedures in plastic assembling. Items made through these procedures are utilized as a part of an extensive variety of ventures, for example, car, food industries, gadgets, medical equipment, water systems, dental, guns, energy and environment enterprises.

To enable you to better comprehend the diverse assembling strategies accessible for your venture, we have put together a two section arrangement of the primary kinds of injection and blow molding methods used by plastics manufacturers.

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The Injection Molding Process

Injection molding is utilized to fabricate higher volume amounts of plastic items extending in estimates from huge parts to little segments requiring smaller scale exactness precision.

There are many kinds of assembling strategies ordered under injection molding, for example, thermoplastic injection molding, over molding, insert molding, cold runner molding and hot runner molding.

Thermoplastic Injection Molding

Thermoplastic injection molding utilizes thermoplastic polymer, which means it changes to a fluid state when warmed. Not at all like thermoset plastics that cool into perpetual strong, thermoplastics can be reheated to a liquid after cooling into a solid.

Overmolding

Overmolding, or two shot molding, is a procedure that covers an injection mold over another substance, for example, metal, to enhance the execution or strength of an item. An elastic like compound, called thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), is a utilized overmold material. A case of a TPE overmold application is the handles on a toothbrush. Overmolds can likewise be utilized to seal items with parts produced using a few injection molds.

Insert Molding

Like overmolding, insert molding is an injection molding process that joins at least two parts into a solitary completed item. Insert injection molding embeds a part into the injection mold and plastic material is filled around the insert. Inserts can add quality to an item and dispose of the requirement for extra parts to decrease the item weight.

Cold Runner Injection Molding

Cold runner molds utilize a sprue to fill the runners that infuse plastic resin into the mold. In 2 plate molds, the runner framework and parts are appended, and a discharge framework might be utilized to isolate the part from the mold. The cold runner can decrease waste by reusing and regrinding the material, yet this can likewise build the full process duration. Cold runner frameworks can be utilized for a wide assortment of polymers and can take into consideration simple shading changes.

Hot Runner Molds

Hot runner molds utilize a system to melt softened plastics and after that send the material through a door to fill the mold depression. The two principle sorts of hot runner molds are eternally heated and inside heated. The externally warmed molds can be utilized with polymer that is less touchy to warm while inside warmed hot runner molds take into consideration better control of material stream.

Since hot runner molding does not require the utilization of runners, potential waste material is reduced and the recycling and regrind and process of virgin plastic does not impact the total run cycle time.

In the next part we will go over the blow molding processes in plastic injection molding. If you have any questions feel free to give Quality Mold Shop a call or comment down below. Our engineers have decades of experience and understand what type of material and mold is right for you. Contact us to discuss your new plastic design or product idea today and we will walk you through the manufacturing process that is best for your project needs.

Most Common Thermoplastics Used in Injection Molding

Posted on December 18, 2017 by - Blog

Most Common Thermoplastics Used in Injection Molding

Thermoplastic injection molding is the most well-known approach to make parts. Thermoplastics are polymers that can be heated to a liquid repeatedly or relaxed by warming and set by cooling—as a physical change as opposed to a chemical change that happens amid the formation of thermoset materials. It is imperative to recognize what sort of thermoplastic ought to be utilized for the kind of item you need to make. The following are the most widely recognized thermoplastics utilized as a part of injection molding.

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Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), it is a dark thermoplastic and amorphous polymer. It is a terpolymer (copolymer comprising of three unmistakable monomers) of Acrylonitrile, Butadiene, and Styrene. Together they make an item that is adaptable and light in weight that can be shaped into numerous things that we use in our regular day to day existences.

The benefit of ABS is that an assortment of changes can be had to enhance impact protection, sturdiness, and heat protection. Molding at a high temperature enhances the gleam and heat protection of the item while molding at a low temperature is where the highest impact resistance and strength are obtained.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer with variable crystalline structure and a huge scope of uses relying upon the type. It is a standout amongst the most adaptable and most famous plastics on the planet since the 1950s when it was produced by German and Italian researchers. The two most regular kinds of this plastic are high-thickness polyethylene (HDPE) and low-thickness polyethylene (LDPE).

The upsides of polyethylene are abnormal amounts of pliability, rigidity, impact protection, protection from dampness, and recyclability. The higher the thickness of the polyethylene material utilized the more grounded, more unbending, and more heat safe the plastic is. The essential employments of polyethylene are plastic sacks, plastic films, compartments including bottles, and geomembranes.

Polyamide (Nylon)

Nylon material is utilized as a part of a vast scope of various applications in view of its electrical properties, sturdiness, wear protection and chemical protection being very noteworthy. Nylon has an abnormal state of strength and is impervious to numerous outer components like scratches, impact, and chemicals. This material produces plastic parts utilized as a part of numerous businesses, for example,

  • Medicinal items
  • Car items
  • Games hardware
  • Attire and footwear
  • Industrial components

High Impact Polystyrene

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a prevalent and intense plastic that is in the Polystyrene family. Polystyrene is weak and can be more impact safe if joined with different materials. It is made from modifying crystal styrene with rubber which helps to give it many levels of impact resistance. It is low cost, has good dimensional stability and rigidity. There are FDA grades available since it is non-toxic and used as containers for many food goods.

It is exceptionally flammable, yet there are fire resistant and polished evaluations that are generally utilized for injection molding.

Polypropylene

This is an extremely regular plastic that is known for its adaptability. PP (polypropylene) is an exceptionally unique plastic and has been intensified for an extensive variety of properties. A few attributes of this plastic are its high liquefying point, high protection toward stress and splitting, magnificent impact quality, and does not break down from responses with water, acids, and cleansers.

PP is ok for use as food holders since it doesn’t filter chemicals into nourishment items. It can be generally found in family unit merchandise, for example, utensils, athletic clothing, area rugs, and car parts, for example, auto batteries.

Picking the correct material for your application can bring about expanded performance and decreased cost. At Quality Mold Shop, we comprehend that there is no “one size fits all” arrangement with regards to injection molded parts. If you have any inquiries or worries on what kind of plastic you ought to utilize, contact our group of specialists who can help you at all times.

Learn the benifits of replacing metals with plastics. Looking for a plastic molder?

Choosing the Right Plastic for Your Next Project Part 2

Posted on December 12, 2017 by - Blog

Choosing the Right Plastic for Your Next Project Part 2

With such a significant number of plastic options out there, finding the best one for your undertaking can appear like an incomprehensible errand. More than 85,000 commercial choices for plastic materials are recorded in materials databases. If you’re brave enough to go through the rundown, the result of picking the correct material can enhance the form, fit, and capacity of your parts.

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PP (Polypropylene)

Advantages: PP is a modestly priced resin alternative with higher impact protection in a few grades; propylene homopolymer can be weak in chilly temperatures, with copolymers more impervious to impact. PP is wear-safe, adaptable and can have high elasticity. It’s likewise impervious to acids and bases.

Applications: integral hinges or living hinges, fans, snap-over tops, medical pipette tubing.

Contemplations: Thick areas of the part can void and show bubbles. Shrink and twist may likewise happen in PP parts. In the event that the part has living hinges that require higher firmness, K-Resin is a decent option.

PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone)

Advantages: PPSU is a high-temperature, dimensionally stable material with high sturdiness and heat protection. It has protection from radiation cleansing and in addition alkalis and weak acids.

Applications: Medical instruments, sterilization trays, car wires, high temp water fittings, sockets and connectors.

Contemplations: PPSU is delicate to thick areas to some parts, which could bring about voids, air pockets or sink. Natural solvents and hydrocarbons can likewise assault PPSU material.

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)

Advantages: PEEK is a high-temperature, superior resin utilized as a part of medical, aviation and car enterprises for an assortment of reasons including heat protection and fire resistance; magnificent quality and dimensional dependability; and great chemical protection.

Applications: Bearings, cylinder parts and pumps; cable protection; good with ultra-high vacuum applications.

Contemplations: PEEK is an elite material, and, subsequently, is extremely costly.

PEI (Polyetherimide)

Advantages: PEI, or Ultem, like PEEK, it’s utilized as a part of medical, aviation and car businesses for its heat protection and fire resistance; fantastic quality and dimensional steadiness; and great chemical protection.

Applications: Medical and chemical instrumentation, flatware, HVAC , electrical and lighting.

Contemplations: Ultem is likewise extremely costly, however not as expensive as PEEK. Take a gander at PPSU as a conceivable option.

If you happen to be looking for a plastic injection molding company to get started with, look no further! Quality Mold Shop has the capacity to build and repair most any mold size. Give us a call today and see how we can help you.

Common Injection Molded Plastics

Posted on December 11, 2017 by - Blog

Common Injection Molded Plastics

The job of a plastic injection molder includes helping the customer select the best accessible plastic material for their application. The choice and accessibility of different polymers has changed in the course of recent years. Today, it can be overwhelming to figure out what the best plastic material is for your project. This slideshow goes over some of the most common types of plastics.

Choosing the Right Plastic for Your Next Project Part 1

Posted on December 5, 2017 by - Blog

Choosing the Right Plastic for Your Next Project Part 1

More than 85,000 commercial alternatives for plastic materials are recorded in materials databases, and, inside those, 45 polymer families can be ordered into two classes: thermosets and thermoplastics.

Narrowing down that broad rundown of materials can appear like an assignment that’s too big, so we’ve arranged this rundown in two parts that framework the advantages and uses of some of our most used materials. By picking the correct material, you can enhance the shape, fit, and capacity of your parts.

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ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Advantages: ABS is a hard, impact safe plastic that is broadly utilized over a wide range of ventures. It has low shrinkage and high dimensional stability, and it has great protection from acids and bases. ABS is a decent decision for handheld devices. It’s likewise moderately cheap.

Applications: aesthetic parts, handheld gadgets, casings, and moldings for electrical tools, remote controls, PCs, phone parts.

Contemplations: ABS-formed parts will indicate knit lines and can have sink and voids in thick regions. Diminishment of sink can be had by changing to an ABS/PC-mixed material. ABS additionally bonds well to PC parts.

ABS/PC

Advantages: ABS/PC consolidates the quality and heat protection of polycarbonate with the adaptability of ABS. ABS/PC likewise gives enhanced handling amid injection molding, expanded durability and dimensional stability, higher heat protection than ABS, and better low temperature impact protection than PC.

Applications: These mixes are ordinarily utilized as a part of the car, electronic, and broadcast communications businesses among others applications.

Contemplations: ABS/PC materials intermittently can limit thick molding concerns found in ABS or PC materials when molded alone. It is often utilized when improved mechanical properties are required when utilizing ABS or when a lower cost PC is required.

PC (Polycarbonate)

Advantages: PC is solid and to a great degree impact safe with low shrinkage and great dimensional stability. It’s a transparent plastic that is accessible in optically clear grades. PC has great heat protection and acknowledges high aesthetic coatings as well.

Applications: Lenses, indoor and open air lighting, phone cases, electrical parts, therapeutic gadgets, impenetrable glass.

Contemplations: There can be sensitivities in thick areas of parts that may cause voids, air pockets and sink, and PC parts have poor chemical protection. An ABS/PC blend is a good alternative for opaque parts with these issues, and Acrylic (outlined below) is another option for parts with thick geometries.

PA or PPA (Aliphatic Polyamides)

Advantages: There are many sorts of PPAs, or nylons (4, 6/6, 6, 6/10, 6/12, 12, and so forth.), each with its own particular favorable circumstances. For the most part, nylon parts give top strength and high-temperature quality, particularly when strengthened, and are chemical solvent safe, aside from exceptionally strong acids and bases.

Applications: thin-walled projects, brushes, spools, gears and bearings, screws, pump parts, under-hood segments, cameras.

Contemplations: Nylon can be prone to warping due to non-linear shrink, so remember that while picking a particular sort of nylon. In the event that your part will be presented to dampness, you ought to consider maintaining a strategic distance from nylon as it is a hygroscopic material that will retain dampness, causing dimensional and possibly structure issues.

PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate)

Advantages: PMMA, otherwise known as acrylic, has great optical properties, a polished look and is scratch safe. Acrylic likewise has low shrinkage and has less sink in geometries with thin and think segments.

Applications: light pipes, lenses, light shades, optical filaments, signs.

Contemplations: Acrylic can be weak and along these lines more defenseless to pressure breaking. PC is a decent option, if necessary. Draft is constantly required in acrylic parts because of its weakness, and normally double the draft of different materials. Acrylic likewise has poor compound protection.

We don’t want to overwhelm you all at once with too many plastics to think about. Be on the look out for part 2 of this article for more plastics to consider for your next part. And if you have any questions always feel free to call Quality Mold Shop.