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There's more to injection molding (IM) than producing plastic Barbie Doll shoes and Action Man weapons. Not only plastic, but any material that can be somehow liquefied and injected into a mold can be subjected to the IM process. This applies to polymers, sugar in its many forms, glass, metals and other materials. IM is used to make everything from precision machined airplane parts to jelly alligators.
Mobile phone covers, toy bricks, plastic forks, styrofoam cups, metal scissors and the fans that go inside computers to keep them from overheating while you are playing Candy Crusher, all of these items are fashioned using IM technology. The process, which was first used in the mid-19th century, is amazingly versatile and yields gizmos and widgets for everything from kitchen gadgets to the International Space Station.
One use for IM with which we are all familiar is in the making of military miniatures and collectible toy soldiers. In many cases, the pieces are intricately designed and crafted to the specifications of a particular war. Enthusiasts are able to create exact replicas of battles. Prices vary with the rank of the soldier and the complexity of the design. For example, the Duke of Wellington sitting on horseback can fetch a price of around $200, while lower-ranking troops cost a fraction of that price.
Electric train enthusiasts are another market for this genre of art and technology. Along with little engineers and little villagers, trees and parts of buildings can be manufactured in this manner. The level of detail and authenticity can be very impressive. These are usually the product of a metalworking process.
To produce metal parts, a fine metal dust is created and blended with a binder to produce a feedstock material that will go through machinery made from plastic. Surgical blade holders are manufactured using this process, as are engine parts for everything from motorcycles to airplanes.
The variety of items that can be produced via IM is mind-boggling. It is worth doing an image search on the Internet just to get an idea of the scope of work that this simple process is capable of giving rise to. Even the machines that produce the items have moving parts that have themselves been manufactured this way.
The industry relies on a vast number of other industries for its survival. Software, polymers, additives and the molding machines themselves are all related industries. It is going to be fascinating to see how this industry stands up to new developments in 3D printing technology.
Mobile phone covers, toy bricks, plastic forks, styrofoam cups, metal scissors and the fans that go inside computers to keep them from overheating while you are playing Candy Crusher, all of these items are fashioned using IM technology. The process, which was first used in the mid-19th century, is amazingly versatile and yields gizmos and widgets for everything from kitchen gadgets to the International Space Station.
One use for IM with which we are all familiar is in the making of military miniatures and collectible toy soldiers. In many cases, the pieces are intricately designed and crafted to the specifications of a particular war. Enthusiasts are able to create exact replicas of battles. Prices vary with the rank of the soldier and the complexity of the design. For example, the Duke of Wellington sitting on horseback can fetch a price of around $200, while lower-ranking troops cost a fraction of that price.
Electric train enthusiasts are another market for this genre of art and technology. Along with little engineers and little villagers, trees and parts of buildings can be manufactured in this manner. The level of detail and authenticity can be very impressive. These are usually the product of a metalworking process.
To produce metal parts, a fine metal dust is created and blended with a binder to produce a feedstock material that will go through machinery made from plastic. Surgical blade holders are manufactured using this process, as are engine parts for everything from motorcycles to airplanes.
The variety of items that can be produced via IM is mind-boggling. It is worth doing an image search on the Internet just to get an idea of the scope of work that this simple process is capable of giving rise to. Even the machines that produce the items have moving parts that have themselves been manufactured this way.
The industry relies on a vast number of other industries for its survival. Software, polymers, additives and the molding machines themselves are all related industries. It is going to be fascinating to see how this industry stands up to new developments in 3D printing technology.
About the Author:
Genevive B. Mata has taught plastics molding techniques for over 15 years. He specializes in injection molding and thermoforming. If you are interested in learning more about injection molding services then he recommends you visit his friends at PTM: Custom Plastics Injection Molding Company.
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