About 85.4 million motor vehicles are produced globally each year, and manufacturers are always looking for ways to make improvements.
Using the best manufacturing techniques available is always ideal, though these can vary depending on exactly what they’re making. For many auto parts, plastic injection molding has become a very popular choice. It’s ideal for a range of plastic parts that serve various purposes.
Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of plastic injection molding for an auto parts manufacturer.
Allows for Complex Parts
Injection molding is highly accurate and has great reproducibility. This means that manufacturers can design and create very complex car parts consistently. Being able to produce intricate parts in large quantities is ideal for vehicle manufacturing as they can ensure all their cars have uniform parts.
High Durability
Durability is a key factor in the auto industry. A car needs to be safe and reliable, so the more durable parts are, the more interest people are likely to have in it. Modern plastics are incredibly resilient, so manufacturers can build parts that will handle wear and tear well and stand up to the test of time.
Lightweight and Various Colors
A vehicle that’s made with lightweight parts will typically have better control and be more fuel-efficient. Drivers favor both of these characteristics, and plastic injection molding can help here.
Enhanced Flexibility
Plastic injection molding can provide a high level of flexibility. This allows manufacturers to design parts to very precise specifications with ease. They can also make small changes where needed to improve the parts they offer.
Quality Surface Finishes
Aesthetics is a huge part of automobile manufacturing, and plastic injection molding can produce smooth, error-free surfaces with a quality finish. The overall surface finish will depend on the specific procedure used as well as the chemical makeup of the plastic.
There are various treatment options available such as matte, rough, and glossy finishes, as well as engraving and uncommon textures. Manufacturers can use different finishes for various parts depending on how they’ll be used.
Different Material Options
Plastic injection molding is highly versatile, so auto manufacturers can create parts from a range of different plastics. This helps them meet specific requirements. Parts can be made to be rigid, flexible, or somewhere in between depending on the purpose.
Some of the most common plastics used include:
- Acrylic
- Nylon
- Acetal
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Efficient and Quick Production
Plastic injection molding is a highly efficient process, allowing manufacturers to produce a lot of parts in a short time. This makes it easier to meet demand without sacrificing the quality of parts. It’s also a very cost-efficient process, being much cheaper than manufacturing parts from metal, for example.
Plastic Molded Components for an Auto Parts Manufacturer
If you’re operating an auto parts manufacturer, you want to make sure you’re using the best parts and processes. Nova is a world-class producer of plastic molded components for clients in both the automotive and non-automotive industries.
Our team of professionals has over 100 years of combined plastic molding experience, giving us the knowledge to always deliver the best results. Contact us today to get your free quote.
