Plastic manufacturing typically involves thermoforming or precision injection molding to create a range of products. Thermoforming generally gets reserved for large projects, while injection molding helps with smaller, highly detailed plastic items. Learn more about these popular options below to determine what is best for your plastic manufacturing needs.

What’s The Difference Between Thermoforming & Precision Injection Molding?

Thermoforming

Thermoforming heats flat thermoplastic sheets to create single-sided 3D molds from aluminum, polyurethane, wood, or a 3D printer. Once the heated sheet is pliable, it gets molded using either pressure and suction from a vacuum, or suction only. Sheets come in varying thicknesses, colors, materials, and finishes, with production time usually taking about 14 weeks and producing a few hundred to a few thousand parts per order.

The plastic manufacturing process creates large parts up to 10’ by 18’ in size. Because it is a single-sided fabrication process, thermoforming enjoys quick production, low tooling costs, and a variety of texture, finish, and thickness options.

Single-sided fabrication also makes corrections simple. Parts may be left uncoated or treated with specialty coatings, silkscreens, or paints after trimming.

Precision Injection Molding

Double-sided 3D molds made from aluminum, beryllium-copper alloy, or steel get utilized in precision injection molding manufacturing. A more intricate process than thermoforming, it uses thermoplastic pelts in various materials and colors instead of flat sheets. Precision injection molding heats plastics into liquid rather than malleable states using serious pressure before injecting them into assorted molds. Once removed from the molds, plastics undergo painting, silk screening, or specialty coating processes.

Because precision injection molding is so precise, it allows for large-volume orders without the risk of high scrap counts. Production intricacy requires longer manufacturing times — about 24 weeks. However, the process creates thousands if not millions of small parts per order. 
 

Discuss your plastic product needs with the experts at Pacific Integrated Manufacturing in Bonita, CA. This manufacturing company specializes in medical device, diagnostic, and life science industry solutions. Offering thermoplastic and precision injection molding among other assembly services from a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing plant, this company also provides rush and emergency orders. Call (619) 921-3464 today for a free quote or visit the company online for more information.