5 Things You Should Know About the Plastic Injection Molding Industry

plastic injection molding

The global plastic injection molding market was at $15.39 billion in 2019. It is projected to reach $20.49 billion by 2027!

Many of us don’t even know how injected molded plastic affects our everyday lives.

What exactly is injected molded plastic and what do you need to know about this booming industry? Keep reading to learn more about what plastic injection molding is and how it can help your business.

1. What is Injection Molding?

Understanding injection molding is simpler than you might think. Simply put, it is a manufacturing technology that enables the mass production of plastic parts that are identical and of high quality.

John Wesley Hyatt patented the first molding machine in the late 1800s. He was inspired by a reward of $10,000 that was offered by a New York billiards company seeking a substitute for ivory billiard balls.

He didn’t succeed in making a billiard ball but went on to discover a plastic material that he pressed into a heated mold.

2. How Does it Work?

The process of injection molding is when polymer (or plastic) granules are melted and then injected under pressure into a mold. The liquid plastic cools and becomes solid, taking the shape of the mold.

The final products consist of thermoplastic polymers, which are a type of plastic material that can be colored or filled with other additives.

3. What Does Injection Molding Make?

You might not have realized it, but injection molding makes a lot of important plastic parts possible! These include things like car parts, electronic enclosures, and even kitchen appliances.

If you see a plastic part, it was most likely created by injection molding! There are also some silicones and other thermoset resins that are compatible with this process.

The most common materials used for injection molding are Polypropylene (PP), ABS, Polyethylene (PE), and Polystyrene (PS).

4. Why is it So Popular?

Injection molding is a popular mass-production method because it lowers the cost per unit when manufacturing high volumes of plastic parts.

It also can make a lot of the same thing quickly without losing the quality or versatility of what it can create.

5. Are There Any Drawbacks?

Even though injection molding can save a lot of money in the long run, it is a high investment initially for the molds. Therefore, requires custom tooling.

Another drawback is that the turnaround time from the actual design of the mold to the production is slow.

Plastic Injection Molding and You

There are so many ways that the plastic injection molding industry impacts our daily lives and makes them easier, from the cars we drive to the appliances we rely on.

Injection molding is truly an innovative technology that continues to advance and improve. You can expect the future of the industry to be a bright one.

Want to know more about how injection molding can expand your business? Contact us today and get a quote for your next project.

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