What Are the Different Types of Plastic Injection Molding?

There are a few different types of plastic injection molding to choose from when deciding on a manufacturing process for your plastic project. Two of the most common types are structural foam molding and injection molding. In this blog, we will review each of these processes to help you decide which is best for your project.

Common Types of Injection Molding

Structural Foam Molding

The structural foam molding process creates large tonnage products that are lighter in weight than straight injection molded products. To do this, the process starts with nitrogen gas and/or a chemical blowing agent being mixed with the chosen melted polymer. The mixture of polymer and nitrogen gas/chemical blowing agent is then injected into the mold under low pressure. As the mixture touches the walls of the mold, it forms a solid outer layer and a honeycomb interior, yielding a durable, lightweight product.

This type of injection molding is commonly used to create large tonnage parts and products with thick walls. These walls also allow products to be extremely durable. The low-pressure injection molding process also prevents damage and warpage, allowing for your product to be created with little risk of damage.

Injection Molding

During the injection molding process, a polymer is melted inside the injection molding machine. Then, the machine is closed and the mold halves come together and are held together by high clamp pressure. A screw within the barrel of the machine then pushes molten polymer into the mold under very high pressure. Once all material is in the mold, the screws pull back and the polymer starts to cool. Once completely cooled, the product is released from the mold.

Injection molding is commonly used to create complex parts and products. The high pressure of the process allows for the polymer to get into all sections of the mold, no matter how intricate the design is.

Benefits of Each Type of Plastic Injection Molding

Benefits of Structural Foam Molding

Structural foam molding provides many benefits if used in the proper applications. Not only is it a cost-effective manufacturing process for large parts and products because they can be completed in one shot, but they also offer weight reduction compared to solid plastic parts of the same size. The process is also highly moldable, making it efficient.

Benefits of Injection Molding

The injection molding process is faster than other plastic production processes due to the high pressure at which it takes place. This process produces strong and durable plastic products that can be used in many industries. Plus, this process creates products that have smooth features, so they will need very little post-machining processing, ultimately saving you time and money.

For All Types of Plastic Injection Molding, Turn to Port Erie

Since 1953, Port Erie Plastics has been creating high-quality durable products through injection molding, automated injection molding, and structural foam molding. Throughout our time, we have honed our skills in each of these areas and we brought in multiple skilled plastic engineers to make sure we are producing the best products possible.

When you partner with us, we will assign one of our plastic engineers to your project. They will help make sure your product’s design is conducive to the production process you have chosen, and if not, they will make suggestions to improve the design. From here, you will choose your polymer. Our team has experience with a range of plastics, so no matter which you pick, our team is ready to handle it.

Not only will we help you during the design process, but we also have the capabilities needed to create and design your injection molding and structural foam molding tooling and molds for your project. This allows you to keep your entire production process with the same manufacturer, saving you time and money on your processes.

If you are looking for the perfect partner for your injection molding and structural foam molding projects, turn to Port Erie Plastics. Reach out to our team today to learn more.