The Benefits of Automation in Injection Molding

Plastic injection molding is a common manufacturing process where melted plastic is injected into a mold under high pressure and is then allowed to cool, leaving the plastic in a desired shape. Automation in injection molding is becoming more and more popular as robotics are coming into the market and labor shortages persist. Combining various robotic manufacturing equipment and automation tools into the injection molding process yields various benefits, including quicker production times, cost savings, and more.

Types of Manufacturing Robots

Cobots

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are robots that are designed to be used alongside humans. Cobots share space with employees, assisting them with processes or being controlled by a human to complete a task. Prioritizing safety, flexibility, and ease of use, these robots are there to make the job of humans easier without replacing them entirely.

Industrial Robots

Industrial robots are fully autonomous machines, meaning they require no human intervention. Typically, these robots take on repetitive, high-precision, or dangerous tasks to protect humans and direct their attention to more important tasks. They also provide a safer work environment by removing employees from dangerous situations, allowing them to focus on other tasks.

The Benefits of Automation in Injection Molding

Both cobots and industrial robots are used in injection molding, integrating automation into the process. Working with a manufacturer who has the ability to use automation in their injection molding process can yield great benefits for your company.

Quicker Production Times

Automated injection molding moves the manufacturing process along rapidly, avoiding interruptions that may be necessary when the process is done solely by a human. These systems can theoretically run 24 hours a day, resulting in faster turnaround times and more productive manufacturing.

Decreased Cost

When manufacturers implement automation into their injection molding processes, they can greatly reduce the cost of their services. As robots take on certain capabilities or jobs, they reduce the need for human workers. This reduces the labor cost for the manufacturer and allows them to offer better prices with a quicker production time.

More Sustainable

Automated robots are programmed to complete a specific task. Because the system is integrated into the robot and the actions are automatic, repeatable, and consistent, there is a significantly lower chance of a robot making an error or mistake. Since mistakes and errors are so rare in automated injection molding, there are fewer damaged parts and fewer wasted materials. When working with a manufacturer who has implemented automation into their injection molding processes, your product is created in a more efficient and sustainable manner.

Port Erie Plastics Has Implemented Automation in Injection Molding

With over 70 years of experience, Port Erie Plastics has all of the technology and knowledge needed to produce an exceptional injection-molded product. We understand that automation has become more prevalent and we were eager to implement cobots and fully automated robots into our manufacturing processes. The benefits have been invaluable and we will continue to keep pace with this technology so we can provide the best possible plastic products.

Our automated injection molding robots perform various processes such as loading and unloading, vision inspection, quality control, assembly, sorting, over-molding, and so much more. This ensures that your product is accurately and consistently manufactured and assembled.

Our plastic processing solutions expand well beyond automated injection molding. We also provide services in mold design, tooling transfer, secondary operations, structural foam molding, and so much more. Our quality assurance team and engineers are sure to match you with the right materials and processes so you are happy with the product we manufacture for you.

Contact our team or request a quote today to get started.