Injection molding (British variant spelling: moulding)
is a manufacturing technique for making parts from both thermoplastic
and thermosetting plastic materials. Injection molding involves taking
plastic in the form of pellets or granules and heating this material
until melted. Then the plastic is forced into a split-die chamber/mold
where it is allowed to "cool" into the desired shape. The
mold is then opened and the part is ejected then the cycle is repeated
until the order quantity is reached.
After a product is designed by an Industrial Designer
or an Engineer, molds are made by a moldmaker (or toolmaker) from
metal, usually either steel or aluminum, and precision-machined to
form the features of the desired part. Injection molding is widely
used for manufacturing a variety of parts, from the smallest component
to entire body panels of cars. Injection molding is the most common
method of production. Much of what we deal with every day is made
from injection molding including cell phone bodies, computer keys
and keyboards, calculator bodies, remote controls, bottles, computer
screen bodies and staplers. Just look around your desk, kitchen or
garage for hundreds of common injection molded plastic parts.
