The Three Essential Molding Processes for Manufacturers

2023.3.29

Molding is the process of creating products by injection molding. Learn how injection molding works, the different types of injection molding, its advantages, and its applications.

EOS has revolutionized the industry with its unique design and high-quality products. But if you’re wondering what the injection molding process is, you aren’t alone.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about injection molding processes. We’ll tell you what injection molding is, why it’s used in manufacturing industries and the four types of injection molding processes (and their respective advantages) that manufacturers have at their disposal.

 

Injection Molding:

Injection molding is the process of making custom plastic parts by injecting molten plastic material at high pressure into a metal mold. This process involves heating and melting thermoplastic resin pellets, forcing the molten plastic into a mold cavity, and filling the mold to the desired amount. The plastic is then cooled and solidified into a finished part that can be easily removed from the mold.

Generally, injection molding is highly versatile and can be used to create a variety of items such as medical devices, switches, automotive parts, and bottle caps. The process also compensates for shrinkage and provides a cushion to safely transfer pressure to the cavity. 

In short, injection molding is an efficient process that can yield high-quality plastic parts with superior uniformity. Besides, it offers limitless design possibilities and versatile use.

 

What Is Molding?

Molding is one of the five core processes involved in rubber and plastic manufacturing. It involves using pressure and heat to fill the cavity of a mold with raw material, which is kept under pressure until it hardens. These advantages include greater accuracy, versatility, and efficiency. Rotational molding is a process that uses molds to produce hollow plastic parts, such as tanks. Thermoforming uses several types of molds and processes to achieve the final product. It involves heating raw plastic material to a specific temperature and then shaping it into the desired part with a mold or tool. 

With so many different styles and types of molding process, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options available for manufacturing your product. However, you can easily find a process that works for your product and budget without compromising quality or productivity.  Moulding is a versatile process that can be used in many different industries to create intricate parts and products with high tolerances and precision. It’s an essential process that should not be overlooked by any manufacturer looking to create high-quality products with lasting durability.

 

4 Types of Molding Processes: Applications and Advantages:

Molding is one of the 5 core manufacturing processes used in rubber and plastic manufacturing. These processes include casting, forming, machining, and additive manufacturing. Rotational molding is a process of producing large hollow parts and products by placing a powder or liquid resin into a metal mold and rotating it in an oven. Types of molding processes include thermoplastics and thermoset plastics, which are manipulated to form desired shapes and can then be melted down and reformed if necessary. Thermoplastic molding involves heating a mold material to its softening or plasticizing point or melting point, manipulating the material to create the desired shape, and then cooling the material for solidification. 

Rotational molding is a process of producing large hollow parts and products by placing a powder or liquid resin into a metal mold and rotating it in an oven. It is a popular process for making plastic parts that cannot be produced with other methods because of its precision, durability, scalability, cost-efficiency, high-productivity, and environmental friendliness. The process is also suitable for making small-volume high-quality parts such as injection molds for candles. 

In rotational molding, plastic material is molded using injection molding or compression molding machines. The process begins with raw materials being mixed with water or oil to form a liquid polymer solution that hardens when it reaches ambient temperature (near body temperature). After the polymer has hardened, it’s removed from the machine and another process is started to create a part with features like ribs or cavities. Rotary molding requires precise tolerances on part dimensions to ensure that each finished product matches its original conception precisely. This process can be automated to increase