What Is Injection Moulding?

Injection moulding is a common solution for manufacturing plastic components. Injection moulded parts are used across a wide range of industries. But what is injection moulding? As 3D printing specialists, we at RAD Additive will guide you through everything you need to know.  

What is Injection Moulding? 

Injection moulding is a process in which parts are produced by injecting molten material into a mould. This process can be performed using a variety of materials including; metals, glass, elastomers, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. 

3D Printing for Injection Moulding

In recent years, advancements in technology have allowed for a variety of affordable desktop 3D printers. It is possible to create 3D printed injection moulds. This process can help to produce functional prototypes as well as small, functional parts. 

3D printed injection moulding can help to save money, especially for low-volume production. Additionally, they also allow for a more agile manufacturing approach. This is achieved as engineers can prototype injection moulds and test mould configurations. Users can also quite simply modify moulds. 

How to Injection Mould Parts With 3D Printed Moulds

The injection mould process can be complex due to parts involved and the mould structure. For instance, a wide range of thermoplastics can be injected with the 3D printed moulds. For example; PP, PE, TPE, TPU and POM. 

Low viscosity materials will aid a reduction in pressure and extend the lifetime of the mould. Polypropylene and TPEs are simpler to process for a large number of cycles. Contrastingly, PA will allow for lower quantities of runs. Additionally, the handling of a release agent can help to separate the part from the mould, particularly for more flexible materials like TPEs and TPUs. 

Which type of injection press you choose will not significantly impact the process. For those that are new to injection moulding, benchtop injection moulding machines, such as the holipress, can be a good option. 

Summary 

We hope the guide helped to shed some light on injection moulding and the wide range of ways it can be used. Injection moulding is a tried and true method for manufacturing plastic components. Its usefulness has been shown across a variety of industries. 

Contact Us - 3D Printing Specialist 

As a 3D printing Surrey specialist company,  we are passionate about turning ideas into a reality. So if you need to solve a problem or bring a new idea to life, get in touch with our team today and we’ll identify how 3D printing can help. We look forward to hearing from you!

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