Common Applications of Structural Foam Molding

Structural foam molding is one of the most cost-effective plastic manufacturing methods on the market. The process involves injecting a liquid resin with an inert gas or a chemical blowing agent. This mixture is then injected into the mold cavity, where the gas or blowing agent expands and forces the resin to fill all areas of the cavity. As the material comes into contact with the walls of the mold, the surface cells collapse, resulting in a smooth and solid surface on the outside molded component.

How do you know if this manufacturing method is right for you and your business?

Port Erie Plastics details a few common applications of structural foam molding to help you determine if it’s right for you.

Structural Foam Molding Serves the Medical Industry

The medical industry is filled with plastic products made from numerous manufacturing methods, including structural foam molding. Products created through this production style can withstand drastic temperature changes often found in the medical industry with donor storage and operating rooms.

• Medical device housings
• Equipment carts
• Structural components of hospital beds
• Patient positioning components
• Protective casings

Consumer Products

Many consumer products found in our homes are made through structural foam molding, including:.

• Backyard storage sheds
• Tool boxes
• Fencing
• Shelving
• Display racks

Industrial and Retail Usages of Structural Foam Molding

Industrial and retail businesses use products made through this manufacturing style when plastic components need to have a high weight-to-strength ratio, be cost-effective, and act as good acoustic and thermal insulators.

• Large equipment covers
• Kiosks
• Enclosures
• Point-of-sale machines

Logistics Solutions Made Easier

Logistics solutions are made easier with products created through this type of plastic production. This manufacturing method provides products that are cost-effective, able to handle massive temperature changes — ideal for logistics, as shipping containers could be poorly insulated — and boast a positive weight-to-strength ratio.

• Plastic pallets
• Storage bins
• Totes

Benefits of Structural Foam Molding

All of these industries utilize structural foam molding as a manufacturing process because of the benefits the components created during manufacturing can provide to the companies and their customers.

Excellent Moldability

Structural foam is highly amenable to molding. It can be used to create parts with walls and other elements in various thicknesses without the risk of warping or deformation from the stress experienced during the molding process.

High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Structural foam components are generally very lightweight, typically ranging from 2 lbs/ft3 to 55 lbs/ft3, while also remaining strong, durable, and rigid.

Great Thermal Stability

Structural foam exhibits little to no thermal expansion, which makes it ideal for products used in a wide range of temperature conditions.

Good Acoustic and Thermal Insulation Properties

The nature of structural foam makes it perfect for use in products that require acoustic or thermal insulation.

Exceptional Cost-Effectiveness

The structural foam molding process utilizes slower clamping forces and pressures than other molding methods, which allows it to use less durable tools made from less expensive materials, like aluminum.

Trust Port Erie Plastics For Your Structural Foam Molding Needs

Port Erie Plastics has proudly served the needs of customers since 1953. What started as a small injection molding company has grown into an industry leader offering multiple capabilities — including structural foam molding.

We create high-quality foam molding solutions that are built to work and last. Port Erie knows that switching manufacturers can be daunting, and we have experience in transitioning customers from a previous provider.

Reach out to us today for a first-class experience with structural foam molding, and let’s get your project started.

5 Industries That Rely on Extruded Plastic Products

Extruded plastic products are integral to many industries. Without them, these companies would find it much more costly to efficiently and effectively operate. Loaded with benefits beyond cost-effectiveness, such as high-volume production runs and durability, extruded plastic products are commonplace in everyday life.

Port Erie Plastics details five industries that rely on extruded plastic products and some of the products that are made through this manufacturing method.

Extruded Plastic Products Rule in Construction

The construction industry is one of the biggest users of extruded plastic products because plastic extrusion offers a cost-effective way to create a large volume of products that offer flexible designs and durability, and are lightweight. Common products include:

• Window profiles
• Door frames
• Weather stripping
• Siding
• Conduit
• Decking

Automotive

Those in the automotive and transportation industries know how many plastic components go into the making of a vehicle. The automotive industry relies on extruded plastic products because of their cost-effectiveness and ability to have multiple designs while creating a high volume of products. Examples include:

• Trim
• Seals
• Gaskets
• Tubing
• Wire insulation
• Bumper reinforcements
• Turn signals
• Door handles
• Dials
• Meter gauge needles

Healthcare

Professionals in the healthcare and medical industries use extruded plastic products on a daily basis. With ever-changing budgets, hospitals, private practices, and other care centers can rely on the cost-effectiveness and durability that extruded plastic products provide. Common products used in the healthcare industry include:

• Tubing
• Catheters
• IV lines
• Surgical instrument components
• Device seals

Extruded Plastic Products Are Common in Consumer Goods

Consumer goods are another big industry that relies on extruded plastic products. You’ve likely used a product today that was created through this manufacturing process. Key examples that appear in everyday life can include.

• Household appliances
• Sporting goods
• Furniture components
• Toys
• Kitchen ware
• Garden hoses

Material Handling

It’s important to Port Erie Plastics, whether you’re sending your products halfway around the world or are storing unused inventory in a warehouse, that your products are kept safe. Material handling and logistics as a whole rely on extruded plastic products. Common products include:

• Containers
• Totes
• Bins

Connect With Port Erie Plastics For Your Extruded Plastic Product Needs

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader for over seven decades in the plastics solutions space — including extrusion services. As the needs and demands of our customers continue to grow, so do our capabilities.

Quality is at the core of everything we do in our state-of-the-art facility. With modern machinery and quality checks throughout our manufacturing process, we provide customers with peace of mind for their project.

Our plastic extrusion services are backed by the high-quality standards you expect. We have multiple extruder machines for enhanced capabilities, along with 80 feet of cooling tanks.

Ready to improve your products with extrusion services? Contact us today to learn more about the difference we can make with your next project.

The Importance of Plastic Extrusion Secondary Services

Plastic extrusion is already a cost-effective and efficient way to produce large scale production runs of everyday products. Between proper material selection and working with the right company, your product should already be of high quality and perform well.

But there are ways to further enhance your order both visually and from an operational standpoint. Plastic extrusion secondary services are important to consider as you map out the scope of your manufacturing project.

Secondary services can range from ultrasonic welding and embossing to assembly and even decorating. No matter the function, plastic extrusion services can increase the value of your product and put a defining stamp on your market.

Learn the importance of plastic extrusion secondary services from Port Erie Plastics.

Key Benefits of Plastic Extrusion Secondary Services

Plastic extrusion secondary services offer numerous benefits. The benefits are more than just aesthetic.

Improved Performance

Key secondary services such as routing can improve part performance so long as the service has been performed correctly. Secondary services such as routing, punching, or even CNC work improve performance because they can create different shapes in the component that standard extrusion services cannot.

Customization

Utilizing secondary services for your plastic extrusion orders unlocks numerous customization options that can set your product apart from the competition. Services such as decorating, surface coatings, or hot stamping can make your product unique.

Ready-to-Use

Assembly services allow the manufacturer to not only create your plastic extruded parts, but also assemble them with any other components that are part of the order, thus making it ready to use once it arrives to you.

Visual Enhancement

Secondary services are often thought of as a way to make your product ‘pop’ from a visual standpoint. Here, pad printing is one of the most common plastic extrusion secondary services performed.

Common Plastic Extrusion Secondary Services

While every plastic manufacturer is different, there are a few common services existing on the market. Port Erie offers:

• Assembly
• Decorating
• Pad printing
• Heat transfer
• Hot stamp
• Heat stake
• Ultrasonic welding
• Packaging
• Distribution
• Warehousing

Applicable Advantages

The benefits of plastic extrusion secondary services are stronger products and a competitive advantage.

Key advantages include:

• Shorter lead times: By finding a manufacturer who offers secondary services, you can shorten the entire production process and keep shipping and transfer costs down.
• Higher quality is achieved when plastic extrusion secondary services are offered in-house by your extrusion manufacturer, especially when backed by an ISO certification and including quality control checks throughout multiple points of production.

Connect With Port Erie Plastics for Your Plastic Extrusion Secondary Services Today

Port Erie Plastics has proudly served the needs of customers since 1953. As we continue to push new boundaries, we know how important secondary services can be. It’s a way for your business to leave its mark both visually and from a performance perspective.

We serve areas across the Midwest and East Coast, but aren’t limited to just those regions. Consider us for your next plastic extrusion secondary services project, and contact us today.

5 Plastic Extrusion Services That Impact Part Longevity

Manufacturers and customers alike are always looking for ways to improve part longevity. Plastic extrusion is already an effective way to create products that can last. But there are key extrusion services aside from the standard production cycle that further extend a product’s longevity.

Learn from Port Erie Plastics about five key plastic extrusion services that impact part longevity.

Material Selection

One of the most effective ways to impact part longevity is by properly selecting materials. While product application drives the decision-making process, there are materials suitable for most products that will enhance their shelf life.

If applicable, consider using polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, or blending polymers. These materials improve part longevity due to their resistance to corrosion and chemicals.

Multi-Layer Design and Co-Extrusion

Along with material selection, design is an equally important factor in improving part and component longevity. Accounting for the required characteristics of the part and manufacturing it efficiently can both be enhanced with upfront design considerations. If extra durability or longevity is required, the right design can help ensure those characteristics are reflected in the final product.

Additionally, consider using co-extrusion services. Co-extrusion, a specific style of extrusion services, layers multiple materials together to create one profile. This blending of materials creates a strong product that will last longer than if only one material were used.

Utilize Secondary Operations on Extrusion Services

Secondary operations performed on parts manufactured by extrusion services are another key way to improve longevity. Secondary services are more than just decorative measures. Surface treatments and protective coatings can shield components from harmful agents like UV-rays, chemicals, and microbials.

Port Erie Plastics offers numerous secondary operations that can follow extrusion services, including ultrasonic welding, fabrication, heat stake, and hot stamping. These operations will not only enhance parts, but improve longevity as well.

Precision Matters

In any manufacturing effort, precision matters. That holds true in extrusion services as well, particularly in engineering the dies that give the plastic its shape.

Properly engineered dies lead to strong and thicker walls, a denser product, and a more accurate shape. All of these characteristics will enhance part longevity.

Consider Additives or Fillers in Extrusion Materials

While using properly aligned materials during extrusion can impact the part’s service life, as an extra measure, consider using additives or fillers as well. This could range from fibers such as carbon or glass to performance enhancers that increase mechanical strength, stiffness, heat resistance, and more.

Trust Port Erie Plastics for Your Extrusion Services

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader for over seven decades in the plastics solutions space — including extrusion services. As the needs and demands of our customers continue to grow, so do our capabilities.

Quality is at the core of everything we do in our state-of-the-art facility. With modern machinery and quality checks throughout our manufacturing process, we are able to provide customers with peace of mind for their project.

Our plastic extrusion services are backed by the high-quality standards you should expect. We have multiple extruder machines for enhanced capabilities, along with up to 80 feet of cooling tanks.

Ready to improve your products with extrusion services? Contact us today to learn more about the difference we can make with your next project.

American Extruded Plastics: Why Working with an At-Home Manufacturer is Important

The reliance on American extruded plastics continues to increase daily. With an unpredictable outlook on tariffs, the pressure to create products at home is mounting.

Beyond the complexities of these policies, there are specific economic gains to be had by utilizing American extruded plastic products. As an American company, Port Erie Plastics understands the reluctance to work with an at-home manufacturer. Cost drives decision-making, but there are ways to keep it down.

Port Erie Plastics guides you through the importance of working with American extruded plastics manufacturers and the benefits to the customer and manufacturer.

American Extruded Plastics are Cost-Effective and Offer Other Economic Benefits

Working with an American extruded plastics company unleashes key economic benefits and other cost benefits not seen with international plastics companies.

Tariff Protection

For U.S. manufacturing companies, tariffs are creating a complex and often contradictory economic environment. By electing to work with an American manufacturer, consumers avoid potential cost increases they may incur by working with an overseas supplier.

Lower Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are driven down as well by working with American extruded plastics companies. With overseas companies, there are multiple ways the product has to be shipped before it reaches your door step. However, with an American company, shipping costs decrease dramatically.

Additionally, timelines shrink by working with an American company. You’ll avoid customs offices that have to investigate shipments and clear them, and instead can utilize standard domestic shipping procedures.

Better Business Relationships

As a consumer, investing in the American economy can certainly lead to better business relationships. Whether it’s a family-owned or a local business, expect a more personalized handling of your order and a greater understanding of your needs. Connections drive business and creating at-home relationships is essential for both current and future success.

Supply Chain Transparency

Overseas companies can leave you wondering where materials are sourced from, leading to more questions than answers. American extruded plastics companies can provide verified sourcing for materials, machining, and other critical aspects of the manufacturing process.

Heightened Quality Control Measures

American products go through rigorous quality control measures to ensure they meet required standards before entering the market. As a customer, this is a big benefit. More testing and quality control checks throughout the manufacturing process leads to more reliable parts.

American Extruded Plastics Offer Improved Customer Service

Finding reliable and quality customer service can be difficult, especially when you consider language barriers and massive time differences when partnering with an overseas extruded plastics provider.

Looking for an American Extruded Plastics Service Provider? Connect with Port Erie Plastics

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader as an American extruded plastics service provider since 1953. Our state-of-the-art facility located in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, can handle any and all plastic solution services you may need.

Our capabilities are wide-ranging and our customers have come to expect our products to be the highest quality. We deliver consistent results in the plastic extrusion space and, while we let our work speak for itself, we’ve had plenty of customers share their experience as well.

Ready to keep your business at home? Contact us today.

A Step-by-Step Guide on Custom Plastic Extrusion

While there are many ways to manufacture plastic products, custom plastic extrusion services offer numerous advantages while maintaining a straightforward process. Cost-effectiveness, rapid production, and minimal waste are just a few of the benefits to this production style.

Port Erie Plastics guides you through the custom plastic extrusion process step by step and highlights a few benefits here.

Custom Plastic Extrusion: The Process

Even for a custom product, plastic extrusion is a straightforward process that follows standard steps.

Material Selection

This is arguably the most important step in the custom plastic extrusion process. Choosing the wrong material can lead to lost time and avoidable costs.

Customers and manufacturers should work together to identify which plastic material works best for the given product based on a few factors such as product application, the environment it will be in, and how long the part needs to last.

Common examples of plastics used include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene. All four of these materials offer great strength and durability, as well as chemical and temperature resistance.

Feeding

After preparation, the resin is fed into a hopper that leads the material into the extrusion machine. This journey ends when the material meets the extruder screw where the next step takes place.

Melting

Once the resin hits the extruder screw, rotation begins from the screw where it pushes the resin into a heated barrel and melts it.

Extrusion

After the resin melts, it is then pushed out into a die where the melted material begins to take its designed shape.

Cooling

Once the die has been filled, the product is pulled and the cooling process begins. This can be done with air chillers or water coolers.

Finishing and Quality Control

The product has cooled and is in its final form. Any finishing touches are applied, such as coloring or surface touch-ups. From there, it will undergo extensive quality control measures, ensuring that the product is deemed fit to serve its intended purpose.

Uses and Benefits of Custom Plastic Extrusion

A custom product is going to have numerous benefits beyond a standard production run, but it goes deeper than that. Explore these common uses and key benefits to custom plastic extrusion services.

Uses

Common uses of custom plastic extruded products include:

• Architectural trims
• Window frames
• Medical tubing
• Furniture trim
• Greenhouse frames

Benefits

• Cost-effective
  • Custom plastic extrusion is cost-effective, especially for high-volume production runs. The low tooling costs, material efficiency, and ability to create continuous parts make it a more economical choice than other manufacturing methods like injection molding.
• Design flexibility
  • A custom product means a design that’s unique to both the customer and the manufacturer. You can create the most complex design without sacrificing product durability.
• Faster production method
  • Compared to alternative plastic production styles such as injection molding, plastic extrusion — even for custom runs — is faster.

Trust Port Erie Plastics For Your Custom Plastic Extrusion Services

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader for over seven decades in the plastics solutions space. As the needs and demands of our customers continue to grow, so do our capabilities.

Quality is at the core of everything we do in our state-of-the-art facility. With modern machinery and quality checks throughout our manufacturing process, we are able to provide customers with peace of mind for their project.

Our plastic extrusion services are backed by the high-quality standards you should expect. We have multiple different extruder screws for enhanced capabilities, along with up to 80 feet of cooling tanks.

Looking for the right custom plastic extrusion company? Contact us today to learn more about the difference we can make with your next project.

PVC Plastic Extrusion: Examining the Process and its Benefits

PVC plastic extrusion is one of the most common forms of plastic extrusion services, responsible for the production of numerous goods and parts that we utilize on a daily basis.

Because of that, it’s important for customers who are only beginning their journey with PVC plastic extrusion to know the ins and outs.

Port Erie Plastics guides you through the process, from design to delivery, and key benefits that come along with it. Learn more about this service to determine if this is the right one for you.

The PVC Plastic Extrusion Process

PVC plastic extrusion undergoes the standard plastic extrusion process using polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Let’s dive deeper into the process.

Material Preparation

The PVC material is in the form of a resin and can be mixed with a series of additives to enhance the product.

Feeding

After preparation, the PVC resin is fed into a hopper that leads the material into the extrusion machine. This journey ends when the material meets the extruder screw where the next step takes place.

Melting

Once the PVC hits the extruder screw, rotation begins from the screw where it pushes the resin into a heated barrel and melts it.

Extrusion

After the PVC melts, it is then pushed out into a die where the melted material begins to take its designed shape.

Cooling

Once the die has been filled, the product is pulled and the cooling process begins. This can be done with air chillers or water coolers.

Finishing and Quality Control

The product has finally cooled and is in its final form. Any finishing touches are applied, such as coloring or surface touch-ups. From there, it will undergo extensive quality control measures, ensuring that the product is deemed fit to serve its intended purpose.

Benefits of PVC Plastic Extrusion

The benefits of PVC plastic extrusion are in line with other forms of plastic extrusion services, but have their own unique advantages as well.

Cost-Effectiveness

PVC is one of the more affordable materials to use for plastic extrusion services. On top of the initial cost, the material’s other benefits include a long-lasting service life, which saves money and lowers cost in the long haul.

Durability

PVC plastic extruded products have proven to be very durable in numerous environments, including harsh weather climates, high-pressure conditions, and wet environments.

Design Versatility

PVC is a material that can easily be manipulated during the extrusion process, which means the design implications are wide-ranging.

Recyclability

Once PVC reaches the end of its service life, the material can be melted down and used in other products. This recyclability can help companies meet sustainability goals.

Learn More from Port Erie Plastics

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader in all things plastic since 1953. Our state-of-the-art facility located in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, can handle any and all plastic solution services you may need.

Our capabilities are wide-ranging and our customers have come to expect our products to be the highest quality. We’ve delivered consistent results in the plastic extrusion space and, while we let our work speak for itself, we’ve had plenty of customers share their experience as well. If you’re thinking about utilizing our PVC plastic extrusion services, contact us today.

What Plastic Extrusion Companies Today Get Wrong — and How to Avoid Common Errors

There are hundreds of plastic extrusion companies scattered across the United States. Each company ensures that it’s the best option for you, but they can’t all be winners.

Issues such as improper material selection, a non-streamlined production process, poor quality control measures, or even poor communication are unfortunately all too common these days.

While there is no perfect manufacturing process, there are ways to get ahead of potential mistakes. Port Erie Plastics examines where common errors can occur with plastic extrusion companies and how to prevent them.

Improper Material Selection

One of the most important considerations when undergoing the plastic extrusion process is material selection. Certain materials are best suited for specific applications and if the wrong material is selected for a project, it could have serious consequences.

The best way plastic extrusion companies can avoid this is by communicating clearly with the customer, looking at the product design, and discussing the best solutions to avoid a costly mistake.

Non-Streamlined Production Process

Production processes should be a universally streamlined operation. While manufacturing companies are always looking for ways to improve and make production runs their own, at the end of the day, the process is the process.

That starts off with the design phase. A weak or inefficient design process, including time spent collaborating between company and client, can lead to plenty of headaches throughout the project.

The best way to ensure the production process is streamlined is by establishing effective communication from the beginning. By communicating any concerns, questions, or worries ahead of time, it can lead to a greater understanding of how a given company’s production process works.

Lack of Equipment Maintenance

It is essential for any manufacturing company to ensure their equipment is well maintained. And a surefire way to separate the right company from the wrong one is by asking how they accomplish this.

Poorly maintained equipment can lead to problems with your product including defects, inaccuracies, and overall low quality goods.

The best way to ensure properly maintained equipment for manufacturers is to perform routine service checks on all machines. With those service checks, manufacturers should also keep all customers informed of any potential service updates as a best business practice.

Poor Quality Control Systems

Poor quality control systems and management are arguably the most avoidable mistake any plastic extrusion company can make. It might mean more time spent reviewing products and ensuring they are to a specific standard, but it is essential.

Plastic extrusion companies need to have proper quality control systems in place. That starts off with quality checks throughout each step in the production process, keeping the customer updated throughout manufacturing, and then performing thorough inspections before shipping the finished product.

Why Choose Port Erie Plastics

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader for over seven decades in the plastics solutions space. As the needs and demands of our customers continue to grow, so do our capabilities.

Quality is at the core of everything we do in our state-of-the-art facility. With modern machinery and quality checks throughout our manufacturing process, we are able to provide customers with peace of mind for their project. Looking for the right plastic extrusion company? Contact us today to learn more about the difference we can make with your next project.

How Structural Foam Molding Use Low-Pressure Injection Molding Machines to Create Large Tonnage Plastic Products

Structural foam injection molding services are the backbone of Port Erie Plastics’ operations, creating large tonnage plastic products that provide excellent moldability, thermal stability, and many more benefits.

Our process efficiency is due to the low-pressure injection molding machines we utilize. Learn more about how our machines work, why they work, and how they lead to more efficiently created products.

What are Low-Pressure Injection Molding Machines?

Low-pressure injection machines are capable of handling large amounts of products for structural foam molding and the unique design layouts of specific products.

Port Erie Plastics has three machines capable of structural foam injection molding. Our Uniloy Milacron machines have been reliable resources over the years as we continue to expand our capabilities. Our newest machine is a 1000 SSWP LPIM structural foam molding machine.

Our equipment allows us to produce large tonnage products with parts up to 7.5 feet in length, and a typical wall thickness of 0.200 inches to 0.500 inches. The machines’ platen size is 96 inches x 89 inches, with tie bar spacing of 58.5 inches x 67.5 inches, and shot sizes up to 150 lbs. Because of these machines’ capabilities, Port Erie Plastics is able to run more than one machine at a time, allowing for cost-effective practices and efficiency for customers.

Explaining the Structural Foam Molding Process

Structural foam injection molding is one of the key services Port Erie Plastics performs.

The process starts off with a couple of key ingredients. The first being a liquid resin like polyethylene foam and then either a noble gas or chemical blowing agent. The liquid resin is mixed and then injected into a mold and the gas or the agent is heated up to expand the mold.

Once the mold has expanded, the resin fills the expanded space to take the given shape. As the resin begins to take shape of the mold, and once it hits the perimeter of the designed shape, the process begins to slow down as the space nears full capacity.

The final steps are when surface cells collapse and the surface smooths out into a solid texture outside of the mold.

Advantages of Using Low-Pressure Injection Molding Machines

The advantages of using a low-pressure injection molding machine are the same as using low pressure injection molding — structural foam molding — but there are a few specific characteristics that stand out.

• Using low pressure means there is a smaller chance that products will be damaged during production.
• Materials are moved through the machine at a slow, controlled rate, which means overmolding (if needed) can happen safely.
• Structural foam molding can happen quickly and produce a large amount of products, thus making it a cost-effective method.
• Materials used in structural foam molding, such as aluminium, are less expensive than materials used in regular injection molding services.
• Because products are created quickly and efficiently, there is minimal environmental impact.

How Port Erie Plastics has Become an Industry Leader by Using Low Pressure Injection Molding Machines

For more than 70 years, Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader in structural foam molding and injection molding services. As technology advances, we’re able to maintain our expertise by investing in high-quality machines that produce parts that meet customers’ specific requirements. Contact us today to learn more about our machines, our process, and how we can make a difference in your next project.

Construction Industry Injection Molding Services: How Injection Molding and Structural Foam Molding Benefit Buildings

Construction industry injection molding services are a key component in the construction process. Almost every building project features injection molding and structural foam molding.

There are numerous benefits for contractors, project managers, project engineers, and foremen to have on-hand knowledge about these services. Not just to understand how products are made, but the benefit they can provide to make a project a long-term success.

Learn more about how injection and structural foaming molding works, its benefits in the construction industry, and how to find the right provider for these services ahead of a future project.

What is Injection Molding and How Does it Work?

Injection molding is at the heart of what Port Erie Plastics does. It’s one of the most commonly used methods in manufacturing parts for the construction industry as well.

Specifically, injection molding is when molten plastic is injected into a mold. The plastic is heated up ahead of injection and, once it cools, it hardens into a durable and useful product. There are six steps to the injection molding process: clamping, injecting, dwelling, cooling, mold opening, and product removal.

What is This Process Used for in Construction?

Injection molding is often used to produce construction products because it is cost effective for a high volume of parts. There are several product benefits as well, and is often used to make products such as siding, flooring, roofing, and piping. Injection molding is popular for creating products in the construction industry with minimal defects that maintain their structural integrity.

What is Structural Foam Molding and How Does it Work?

Structural foam molding is often used alongside injection molding for products in the construction industry.

The process starts off with a couple of key ingredients. The first being a liquid resin like polyethylene foam and then either a noble gas or chemical blowing agent. The liquid resin is mixed and then injected into a mold and the gas or the agent is heated up to expand the mold.

Once the mold has expanded, the resin fills the expanded space to take the given shape. As the resin begins to take shape of the mold, and once it hits the perimeter of the designed shape, the process begins to slow down as the space nears full capacity.

The final steps are when surface cells collapse and the surface smooths out into a solid texture outside of the mold.

What is This Process Used For in Construction?

It’s always good to have options when it comes to manufacturing, with ever-changing designs, manual labor, and potential setbacks common in the construction industry.

Structural foam molding is commonly used to make large parts, like wall panels and cladding, that need to be lightweight in structure and mass produced at a high rate.

This process can be used to make HDPE trench drains, which typically surround many buildings, namely in industrial parks. It’s important to have these outflows to remove waste like rainwater.

How Do These Services Benefit Construction?

Injection Molding Benefits

Efficiency

Injection molding is a very efficient way to produce a large amount of products in a short amount of time. This makes it a favorable selection for those in the construction industry with tight deadlines.

Durability and Strength

Just because the production process is fast doesn’t mean quality is sacrificed. Injection molded products have proven the test of durability and strength time and time again. These products have to be durable, especially when they are being used to create buildings.

Minimal Final Work

One of the advantages of construction products made through injection molding is that once they are produced, they require minimal final touches.

Structural Foam Molding Benefits

Cost-Effectiveness

This method of manufacturing is extremely cost effective, as the process uses slower clamping forces and pressures compared to other molding methods. The process also allows for use of less expensive materials, like aluminum.

Durability and Temperature Control

Products manufactured through this method are proven to be extremely durable. Because of the low pressures used during the manufacturing process, the materials keep their strength. Additionally, there is little expansion during production, so products can withstand various temperature changes.

Design Flexibility

The materials used are extremely moldable and, as a result, both the product and process offer plenty of flexibility without risk of defects.

The Port Erie Plastics Difference

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader for over 70 years with capabilities in both injection molding and structural foam molding. We bring to the table a full-service approach to our production. We don’t just make the product, we also provide several other important services, including mold design and tooling transfer, engineering, secondary options, and distribution and warehousing.

Connect with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help make a better product for you.