Since one in every three car parts is made from plastic, injection molding skills are important for OEMs and the companies that work directly with them. The process is simple, versatile, and efficient enough to produce several car part options in large quantities.
Read on to learn the ins and outs of using an injection molder and how it can benefit those in the automotive industry.
How Does an Injection Molder Work?
Injection molding begins with the creation of a precise mold design. The mold is made in the precise shape that you want the vehicle parts you’re manufacturing to be. It usually is made from steel or aluminum and made in a CNC machine.
Once the mold is complete, the mold will be connected through a runner system to a barrel. Manufacturers will put resin pellets into the barrel, heat them up until they melt, and compress the liquid. They then will feed the liquid into the mold through gates in the cavity.
Then, the resin will sit in the mold until it gets cold. The coolness hardens the material so that it stays solid even when removed from the machine. The manufacturer will take it out with metal pins and repeat the process until there’s a complete batch of whatever new vehicle parts you need.
This is specifically called “thermoplastic injection molding.”
The Benefits
Injection molding is great because it allows for uniform part production. Whether you’re distributing to car manufacturing plants or dealers of small components, you can give parts of a uniform size and quality. This ensures that everything will fit together for a working vehicle that the end user can enjoy.
Because molds can be custom-made, injection molding is also precise. There are low labor costs and low levels of waste. The process is also flexible and versatile, so you can get the exact parts you need.
High-output production also makes the process efficient. The resin is also durable, so you won’t need to sacrifice quality and longevity for quick production times.
What Types of Car Parts Can It Make?
Common car parts that you can use within the processes include:
- Roof linings
- Dashboards
- Interior compartments
- Center consoles
- Bumpers
- Grills
- Fenders
- Headlights
- Splash guards
- Side mirrors
Items of all sizes are easy to make with an injection molder. This is because you can create a mold of any size or shape that you want.
Injection Molding Types
Thermoplastic injection molding is the most common injection molding type out there. However, there are other types out there such as liquid silicone rubber molding. This uses thermoset materials and an associated chemical reaction to make the end product.
Overmolding and insert injection molding are also suitable for some applications. Experts can help you determine what’s best for your project if you’re unsure or have questions.
Get Started With Professionals
Now that you know the basics of using a plastic injection molder for vehicle parts, it’s time to get started. Our team is committed to selling both complete car parts to car companies and smaller components to other auto suppliers. Contact Nova Stevensville for a quote to get started with your project.
