There's more to injection molding (IM) than producing plastic Barbie Doll shoes and Action Man weapons. Not only plastic, but any material that can be somehow liquefied and injected into a mold can be subjected to the IM process. This applies to polymers, sugar in its many forms, glass, metals and other materials. IM is used to make everything from precision machined airplane parts to jelly alligators.
The IM process has even been used to manufacture shoes - both casual flip-flops and designer heels. Both a science and an art, IM is incredibly versatile and is used to produce everything from dustpans and laundry baskets to precision-machined parts for robots and aircraft engines.
One use for the IM process to which we can all relate is in the production of toy soldiers and collectible military miniatures. There are miniature troops to match practically every war in history. The price of the piece often corresponds to the seniority of the figure. The Duke of Wellington, for example, will cost more than his minions, although Richard Sharp would probably fetch a pretty penny.
Electric train enthusiasts are another market for this genre of art and technology. Along with little engineers and little villagers, trees and parts of buildings can be manufactured in this manner. The level of detail and authenticity can be very impressive. These are usually the product of a metalworking process.
To produce metal parts, a fine metal dust is created and blended with a binder to produce a feedstock material that will go through machinery made from plastic. Surgical blade holders are manufactured using this process, as are engine parts for everything from motorcycles to airplanes.
The range of objects that can be manufactured using this technology is amazing. There are a lot of parts that one would not intuitively think were made this way. Even the parts for the machines that do the injecting and molding have injected and molded parts inside them.
Many different industries feed into the IM process. Computer software, polymers, binders and machinery are all necessary to fuel the process. It will, however, be fun to see how IM technology evolves in response to the up and coming 3D printing process.
The IM process has even been used to manufacture shoes - both casual flip-flops and designer heels. Both a science and an art, IM is incredibly versatile and is used to produce everything from dustpans and laundry baskets to precision-machined parts for robots and aircraft engines.
One use for the IM process to which we can all relate is in the production of toy soldiers and collectible military miniatures. There are miniature troops to match practically every war in history. The price of the piece often corresponds to the seniority of the figure. The Duke of Wellington, for example, will cost more than his minions, although Richard Sharp would probably fetch a pretty penny.
Electric train enthusiasts are another market for this genre of art and technology. Along with little engineers and little villagers, trees and parts of buildings can be manufactured in this manner. The level of detail and authenticity can be very impressive. These are usually the product of a metalworking process.
To produce metal parts, a fine metal dust is created and blended with a binder to produce a feedstock material that will go through machinery made from plastic. Surgical blade holders are manufactured using this process, as are engine parts for everything from motorcycles to airplanes.
The range of objects that can be manufactured using this technology is amazing. There are a lot of parts that one would not intuitively think were made this way. Even the parts for the machines that do the injecting and molding have injected and molded parts inside them.
Many different industries feed into the IM process. Computer software, polymers, binders and machinery are all necessary to fuel the process. It will, however, be fun to see how IM technology evolves in response to the up and coming 3D printing process.
About the Author:
Henry A. Parker has taught plastics molding techniques for over 15 years. He specializes in injection molding and thermoforming. If you are interested in learning more about buy plastic pallets then he recommends you visit his friends at PTM: Custom Plastics Injection Molding Company.
