If you work in any type of manufacturing industry, you understand how important the right part is. Conversely, having a single subpar component diminishes the overall quality of the product.
But you also want to limit waste and improve sustainability as well. This can be a difficult balance to find.
That is why injection molding has emerged as one of the most popular production processes for automotive and other industries. It uses a specialized hydraulic or electric machine to melt and inject plastic resin into a mold where it cools and hardens.
If you are unfamiliar with the method, keep reading. Below are seven reasons that injection molding is good for sustainability and your business.
1. Materials
Injection molding uses bio-based plastics and additives made from raw, biodegradable materials. Some of the more common ones are corn and sugar cane.
Historically, the process used fillers like metal, ceramics, and glass. Today, things like coconut shells or rice hulls are used in their place.
2. Recycling
Regardless of the materials used to produce the plastic resin, the injection molding process itself makes it easy to recycle unused byproducts. Resin remnants are gathered up and reused in the next batch.
3. Volume
One of the biggest benefits of injection molding is its ability to produce large batches of components without sacrificing precision. This means you can expect parts to fit and perform exactly as intended. This leads to less waste or the need to remake parts that fail to meet your standards.
4. Strength
Innovations in plastic production science have led to stronger, more durable parts. Plastic components today can hold up better than metal ones and in the harshest of conditions. This means fewer parts that need replacing over time and less waste.
5. Precision
Shere tensile strength is not the only thing that makes a component durable. Injection molding allows you to balance strength and flexibility. This is something that is not accomplishable with metal components.
6. Streamlined Production Processes
The injection molding process itself is very efficient. It uses much less energy per component than other methods.
This is because the bulk of the calibrating and adjusting is done before the production process begins. This allows for more low-waste production both in terms of material and energy.
7. Molding Options
There are so many types of molding processes that allow you to use different kinds of plastics. This gives you options not only in terms of component qualities but also in the types of raw materials you use. A reputable injection molding company will be able to recommend the best raw materials that balance quality and sustainability.
Find Injection Molding for Your Business
Now that you have an idea of how injection molding can improve sustainability, besides keeping costs down and yielding superior products, you can decide if it’s right for your business.
Nova Stevensville is a world-class producer of high-quality plastic injection molding components for the automotive industry and other clients. Through minimal overhead expensive and efficient operations, we can offer high-quality parts at the lowest costs. Reach out to us today to learn more about our operations and products.
