Injection moulding machines enable manufacturing companies to produce all kinds of products quickly and at a competitive price. This process is used across many industries to great effect, with all sorts of products in our homes and businesses created using an injection moulding machine. Read on to discover the advantages and disadvantages involved in this process.
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Injection moulding is a process that can be performed using many types of material, such as glass, metal, elastomers and polymers. The process requires careful design, taking into account shape, material and other properties, such as the purpose and quality of the parts required.
Injection moulding is a simple process performed by complex machinery. You can explore the process further by reading the British Plastics Federation’s guide to injection moulding.
Pros of injection moulding
Advantages of the injection moulding process include the low labour cost and the fast potential production. There is also great flexibility in design and many materials can be used at the same time, reducing overall project costs. Little scrap is created, so it is a productive process without waste, while it can also be used for very small parts. You get good control of colour, dimensions and product consistency by using injection moulding. There is also reduced need for special finishing and you can include inserts in the process.
Cons of injection moulding
The disadvantages include the high cost of the initial machinery and tools required for the job. There are also some restrictions on the part design and this process can take some time to organise. Although small runs of parts are possible, this can prove costly. Rubber mouldings, which are available from manufacturers such as https://www.meadex.co.uk/rubber-moulding/, can be an excellent way to ensure the fast and reliable processing and production of different parts for any job, with the advantages of the process clearly far outweighing the disadvantages.
Injection moulding is still a highly sought-after process for many industries, with no signs of demand for this service slowing down. The pros of this process are many, as long as a careful approach to design is used along with an evaluation of the life of the tools used. If all potential pitfalls are explored and the process is planned carefully, injection moulding can provide the perfect solution to many manufacturing jobs.