As a highly transferable process, plastic injection moulding is used for a wide range of everyday and niche products from mop heads to bird feeders and all of the technical parts in between. Thermoplastics are incredibly versatile and lend themselves to an endless list of uses with plastic injection moulding helping to create all manner of intricate parts, here are just a few.
What is Plastic Injection Moulding?
First and foremost, plastic injection moulding, sometimes known as plastic injection molding, is a process involving creating plastic products from a mould. Thermoplastic polymers are melted down and injected into a mould cavity at high pressure to form a solid product when cooled. These parts can then be used in a range of different applications as stand-alone products or as part of a fully-functioning larger product such as a car.
If you’d like to learn more about each stage of the process, its advantages, how long it takes and more, take a look at our Beginner’s Guide to Plastic Injection Moulding.
What Is Plastic Injection Moulding Used for?
Plastic injection moulding is most commonly used to manufacture components that require a very high level of consistency when it comes to dimensions as well as repeatable quality and also for products that have complicated shapes. It usually finds application in medium and high volume production as it offers a great solution for mass-producing components quickly and cost effectively and applications can range from complete consumer products to small technical parts used within larger assemblies.
You can find plastic injection moulded parts in a wide range of industries and uses, from factories to your own garden. Here some of the most common injection molded plastic products and where they are used.
Injection Moulding Products for Machinery and Automotives.
One of the most common examples of injection moulded products is in machinery and automotive components. The ability to form large quantities of identical parts means that plastic injection moulded products are a brilliant use for everything from dashboards to cup holders to radio controls and plastic injection moulded machine fixtures.
Plastic Injection Moulded Examples in Healthcare
When it comes to the healthcare industry, the ability to create sterile components that can easily cleaned is one of the benefits of the plastic injection moulding process. Mass-produced items such as plastic syringes and medication trays can all be created through plastic injection moulding processes. In addition to this, plastic injection moulding examples can also be found in some tools used for medical procedures as well as sharps disposal bins among many other uses for plastic injection molded products.
Injection Moulding for Electrical and Electronic Components
Injection moulding has some key applications in the electrical and electronics industries and is commonly used to produce housings and enclosures designed to protect internal wiring, connectors, sockets, switches and buttons and many more. The fact that it can support very small and complex designs and that the plastics used block electric currents make it an especially good fit for these applications.
Plastic Injection Moulding Examples in Everyday Objects
Of course, plastic injection moulded parts are not just used in the automotive or healthcare industries. Many of the consumer goods you use every day are formed from plastic injection moulded parts. Some examples of injection moulded products include everything from toilet seats to barbeque accessories, collectable models to recycling bins and everything in between.
What Products Are Most Suitable for Plastic Injection Moulding?
This method can be a good fit for a wide range of component types however it’s an especially good fit for projects where components need to be produced with precision and at a scale such as :
- Products required at medium or high volumes
- Parts with complex/intricate shapes
- Components requiring consistent dimensions
- Products that need particular material properties e.g. heat resistance, electrical insulation, etc
- Products that need a consistent surface finish
Discuss Your Plastic Injection Moulding Requirements
Fern Plastics is able to produce a range of plastic injection moulded products and specialised moulds in a range of finishes and complex features in everything from the small to the large. You can browse examples of our work below.
If you are looking for a specialist plastic injection moulding company to produce parts for your business, get in touch with Fern Plastics online or by calling 01902 758282 now to talk to our knowledgeable team. We’ll be able to advise you on whether this method is suitable for the component(s) you’re looking to have produced and the suitable materials.