Custom injection molding is a convenient, mass-production manufacturing mechanism that produces rubber or plastic parts. Molding shops that oversee this process provide a way for businesses to receive hundreds or even thousands of the same item efficiently and effectively. However, do you know just how this system works to create the parts you need? Here is a deeper dive into the process.

How Custom Injection Molding Works

The Process

Custom injection molding begins with the materials that will be used to make your parts. The small granules are fed into a hopper, a large container for bulk items. The material is then melted and fed through a nozzle into a mold cavity where it conforms to the shape of the item you’re creating. Once the part has solidified and cooled, it’s ejected from the machine, and the process begins again. It’s important to remember that not every machine can create every item. You will need to know what press size will be necessary for the parts you need to make.

What Is Injection Pressure? 

Each item that is mass-produced will require a different injection pressure; the amount of force needed to drive the heated, liquefied material into the mold cavity. This is because the weight and viscosity of the material differ depending on the item you are trying to build. Custom injection molding machines are classified by their tonnage or force and can range from five tons to over 4,000 tons. Many molding shops have a variety of equipment to satisfy a wide customer base with different needs.

Why Injection Pressure Is Important

Without using the correct amount of injection pressure, the quality of the item can suffer. The thermoplastic polymer can become too viscous or cause flashing, in which excess plastic material becomes molded to the surface of the item. It’s important to talk to your molding shop about your object’s melt flow index. This measures how easily a thermoplastic polymer will flow from the nozzle into the mold cavity. The higher your object’s MFI, the more pressure will be needed to force the material to move through the machine. The part design and size of the item will also affect the final decision for the injection pressure .

If you need custom injection molding, it’s important to work with an experienced, reputable, and knowledgeable company that is dedicated to creating the best parts for your business needs. IMCO Inc. in Spencerport, NY, is an ISO-certified molding shop that has spent the past 30 years providing the local community with an efficient and effective way to speed up their manufacturing process without compromising on quality. For more information about their services, visit them online or call (585) 352-7810.