When talks about plastic injection molding, many people are confused about what types of parts or products it can be used to make. The first plastic injection molding process was used to produce combs, buttons, and collars. Now it has been widely used in many industries, such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products, construction, medical, packaging, plumbing, toys.
As injection molding machines can be used to fill almost any mold design, there is no truly comprehensive list of the types of products or parts made with injection molding machines. Here we just list some common and widely used products made with plastic injection molding:
1. Building and Construction
With the development of injection technology, Plastic injection molding is becoming increasingly valuable to the construction industry, it is used to produce a variety of affordable construction parts and products, such as roofing vents, hand tools, deck fasteners, and railing gaskets.
Here are some of the characteristics of custom injection molded parts that make them suitable for construction applications:
- High material stability
- High durability when exposed to the elements
- Greater cost-effectiveness compared to metal and wood alternatives
- High energy efficiency
- Material recyclability
- Lightweight
- Wide range of material and finish options available
2. Food and Beverage
Components used in food and beverage processing facilities must comply with safety guidelines, such as FDA certification and GMA safety compliance. It can guarantee the production of sanitary products and protect the well-being of consumers.
In order to meet these standards, the plastic injection molded parts produced for these industries are made of food-grade materials, which are usually non-toxic and BPA-free. Here are some common parts produced for food and beverage processing and packaging applications:
- Beverage over caps
- Conveyor system components
- Beverage filtering components
- Food and beverage containers
- Processing equipment components
3. Medical and Pharmaceuticals
Thousands of products are made through plastic injection molding processes in the healthcare industry. It relies heavily on multi-purpose plastic products that can be mass-produced, many of these products are disposable items to maintain sterility or prevent the spread of bacteria or diseases. From plastic syringes to tools used in medical procedures, plastic injection molding is to help medical professionals do their job well.
- Sharps Disposal Bins and Wall Mounts
- Medication Trays
- Plastic syringes
- Containers, like beakers or test tubes
- Surgical equipment
- Diagnostic test kits
- Products for surgical prep
- X-ray components for the dental field
4. Agricultural
As plastics provide higher impact resistance, humidity, and resistance to the extreme environments of high or low temperatures, it increasingly becomes a low-cost alternative to metal parts commonly used throughout Agricultural. The plastics produced by plastic injection molding can be used for feeding, watering, birthing, milking or cleaning animals. They offer valuable reassurance regarding health and hygiene around the harvesting, handling and storing of crops. Here are some common plastic products for agriculture:
- Crates, pallets, and bulk containers
- Tubs, baskets, and bins
- Animal troughs
- Pesticide sprayer drone parts
- Agricultural machine parts and spares
- Irrigation system components
- Brushes and cleaning equipment
- Packaging and animal feed sacks
- Water tanks
- Exterior equipment covers
5. Machinery and Automotive Components
Plastic Injection molding is extremely common in automotive and machinery parts, bumpers, dashboards, radio controls, cup holders, and many other elements found in cars and transportation vehicles, both interior and exterior, are made by the injection molding process.
6. Toys
Many popular toys are made of injection-molded plastic, like the well-known brand of Lego. Its colored blocks are made of firmer plastic particles that are heated until liquefied, then injected into a metal mold, where the plastic cools and solidifies into an inlaid brick or another shape. But the important thing is that every brick and component is precisely molded so that they can be matched together. This is a sophisticated product, available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
7. Electronic Housings
Plastic Injection Molding can produce any custom plastic housing, suitable for almost any application and size. Here are some common plastic products for electronic housings:
- Remote Control enclosures
- Computer enclosures
- Television enclosures
- Medical equipment enclosures
- Test instrument enclosures
- Key fob enclosures
- Consumer electronic components enclosures
8. Household
Plastic plates and drinkware, Tupperware containers, trays, water bottles, and other plastic products that you may use in the kitchen or restaurant are usually made with plastic injection molds. Molded closures, containers, components, and beverages are just some common products that can be customized with plastic injection molding.
9. Plastic Bottles
There are billions of plastic bottles for water and drinks manufactured with plastic injection molding processes every year, ranging in multiple shapes and sizes. These plastic bottles are usually made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is strong and light.
10. Conclusion
As the mold is cheap and simple to produce, and the entire manufacturing process is easy to replicate, plastic injection molds can provide a lot of money-saving opportunities for manufacturers of products of various shapes and sizes. These savings will finally pass to consumers—all without sacrificing design accuracy, durability, or overall quality. There is no doubt that plastic injection molding has become one of the most economical and effective methods to build functional prototypes and end-use products.
Leave A Comment