Injection molding tooling is a common manufacturing technique for plastic parts. It involves feeding liquid plastic into a mold, which hardens into the desired shape. The process was patented in 1872 and advanced rapidly during World War II. Injection molding has become the most common method of manufacturing plastic parts due to its high production rate and low labor costs. Most polymers are suitable for injection molding, allowing designers to choose from a large number of candidate materials. Injection molding machines are classified according to their clamping force, which can range from 5,000 to 6,000 tons.
Injection molding tooling is a process for manufacturing parts from plastic materials. A barrel feeds the liquid plastic into a mold, where it hardens into the shape of the mold cavity. A tool maker makes the metal mold using precision machining to create the desired features. Injection molding tooling is a common manufacturing technique for a variety of parts.
John Wesley Hyatt patented the first injection molding machine in 1872. Early products made using this method included combs and buttons. Injection molding tooling advanced rapidly during World War II due to the need for mass-produced plastic products. James Watson Hendry invented the screw injection molding machine in 1946, which provided greater control over injection speed. It also enabled the use of colored plastics in injection molding.
Hendry also invented the gas-assisted injection molding machine in the 1970s. He was able to produce hollow products that cooled rapidly, resulting in finished products with greater strength. Injection molding tooling can produce plastic products in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, plumbing, and toys.
Injection molding tooling has become the most common method of manufacturing plastic parts and is considered ideal for mass production. It has a high production rate and is capable of using a variety of materials. Injection molding also has low labor costs because it can generally produce finished products. The main disadvantages of this process include the need to design the mold and the high start-up cost.
Most polymers are suitable for injection molding tools, allowing designers to choose from a large number of candidate materials. Common types of polymers include epoxy, polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon. Designers can also melt existing plastics to create a new alloy with desired properties. Strength, melting point, and flexibility are some of the characteristics product designers need to consider when selecting a material for injection molding manufacturing.
The basic components of an injection molding machine include the material hopper, plunger and heating unit. These machines are classified according to their clamping force, which is the force with which they hold the mold closed. The clamping force of an injection molding machine can range from 5,000 to 6,000 tons (4,536 to 5,443 tons), although the lower end of this range is sufficient for most products. The specific clamping force required depends on factors such as the stiffness of the plastic and the size of the workpiece.
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