4 Common Applications Of Plastic Injection Molding

Look around today; you will likely spot numerous plastic items that are essential for everyday life. These items, including kid's toys, electrical switches, combs, plastic bottles, and car dashboards, are made through plastic injection molding. This article provides an in-depth look into plastic injection molding and its applications in various industries.

Plastic injection molding involves injecting molten plastic materials into special molds using an injection molding machine to produce specific parts. A mold is a hollow metallic or rubber block designed to create particular shapes from plastic. After injecting the molten plastic material into the mold, it is left to cool and solidify to form the desired plastic product. Plastic injection molding has a myriad of uses, as explained below.

1.       Building and Construction

Plastic injection molding is more popular than ever in the construction industry. Professionals use this process to produce construction tools and parts like fasteners, anchors, heating and air-condition (HVAC) parts, and windows and door components. Some of the reasons most construction companies opt for plastic parts made through injection molding include increased durability, high material stability, and lightweight materials. Plus, plastic is recyclable.

2.       Healthcare

The medical sector requires quality devices and components for operations. Today, most medical device manufacturers prefer plastic material because it makes durable and reliable products. Besides, plastic medical devices and equipment have reduced weight and don't demand constant sterilization. Some of these include prosthetics and tubes. Plus, plastic injection molding creates housings for needles, surgical tools, and dental instruments such as periodontal probes.

3.       Food and beverage industry

Plastic injection molding creates identical and incredibly detailed products like Tupperware, plates, and soft drink bottles used in the food and beverage industry. These products mostly hold products like baked goods, dairy products, and candy. This industry also uses plastic edges made through injection molding to protect beverages and canned products from damage as they move through a conveyor system. Note that items used in the food and beverage industry can only come from safe, UV-resistant, and chemical-resistant plastic materials.

4.       Consumer electronics

Most electronic devices come with several plastic components. For example, many gadgets like computers, televisions, and mobile phones use moisture and dust-resistant plastic casings for protection. Besides, electronics used in the military work in demanding environments; therefore, they need heat- and chemical-resistant and high-altitude performing components that can only be made via plastic injection molding.

The Bottom Line

If your industry deals with plastic products, you should consider incorporating injection molding. This process is highly efficient and speeds up the rate of production. Furthermore, you can use it to produce uniform, complex parts with precision. Besides, plastic injection molding is automated and, therefore, saves labor costs. See if you can find a company that provides plastics injection molding in Mexico or closer to home.