The American auto industry is currently worth over $104 billion. Its size means that sustainability and quality are more important than ever before.
Advancements in automotive injection molding effectively improve the production process. Read on to learn some specific recent advancements and why they matter.
Automation in Automotive Injection Molding
Automation injecting molding is a production process where someone making car parts uses an injection molding machine to inject plastic into a mold. This mold shapes the plastic into a car part, cools, and hardens. The maker takes the plastic out and has a finished car part.
Automation and AI are becoming popular in almost every industry, and automotive injection is no exception. Automated robot unloaders can stack and make the stacking and unloading process faster. You program the machine to repeat the stack/unload command and it will do so quickly without any human intervention.
Hybrid molding machines can also increase production output. They will mold precisely to your pre-set specifications precisely regardless of part size. This will save you time and energy expenses because of machine efficiency.
AI is a great tool because it keeps the plastic molding process consistent. It also ensures quality, assuming a knowledgeable programmer enters the commands to make it work. You’ll save on production time and costs.
Sustainable Practices
Traditionally, injection molding processes aren’t known for being green. But lately, manufacturers have been working to make it more eco-friendly than ever before.
Running plastic injection molding machines uses a lot of electricity. The machinery is huge and it needs to run for long stretches of time. However, many companies are now reducing power by scheduling the power usage to work when low-watt, energy-efficient lighting is in use.
Manufacturers are also starting to use recyclable resins to create auto parts. Any plastic that goes unused will be ground down and used to make other parts.
In some cases, the plastics will also be sold so others can reuse them. They don’t go to a landfill.
This isn’t just important because you preserve the environment. It also can make your manufacturing facility more appealing to both B2B and B2C consumers. 66% of Americans are willing to pay more money for sustainable products, so you might also turn a better profit.
Non-Toxic Materials
In addition to eliminating waste, manufacturers are now discovering new ways to reduce toxins in the auto part production process. Resins aren’t the only thing that’s non-toxic. Lubricants for machines, cleaners, and colorants also are specially designed not to be hazardous.
This means that if any plastic does eventually end up in a landfill, it won’t cause untold damage to the natural world. This is especially important for when the car outlives its use and goes to scrap in the distant future. Toxins won’t wind up in bodies of water and wildlife will be safe.
Get Started
Nova Stensville is committed to supplying OEMs and their clients with sustainably-made, well-produced, high-quality auto parts. Request a quote for your injection molding process to learn more about what we can do for you.
