12 Advantages of Plastic Injection Molding

Injection molding can handle highly complex parts, provides uniformity, and offers the ability to make millions of virtually identical parts. The effectiveness of high-volume injection molding and maximization of precision and quality of parts means taking key design elements into account. 

The part design must be created to maximize the efficiency inherent in high-volume molding. With the ideal design, parts can be made with quality without sacrificing complexity. 

There are a few good reasons that this is the most common and most efficient form of molding. First, the injection molding process is rapid compared to other methods, and the high production output rate makes it even more effective.

The speed is subject to the complexity and size of the mold, but only about 15-120 seconds pass between each molding cycle. With the short period between cycles, more injection molded parts can be produced in a given production time.

The strength and durability of plastics have significantly increased over the years. Modern lightweight thermoplastics can endure even the harshest environments on par with metal parts and, in some cases, may surpass metal. 

In addition, there are more than 25,000 engineered materials that can be used for complex injection-molded applications. High-performance plastic blends and hybrids can also be created to meet particular part requirements and characteristics, such as high tensile strength.

The plastic injection molding process provides flexibility. This flexibility can be in such things as the properties of the plastic being used or in the ability for OEMs to make custom color choices to meet specific project requirements. The benefit of plastic injection molding is the freedom in design choices that it affords to OEMs, especially when compared to metal. Many materials can be used. 

The molding process can create clear parts or various colors by aligning plastics, additives, and biocompatibility to achieve the wanted coloration. However, when multiple colors are often needed in one product, this can be accomplished using overmolding.

The plastic injection molding process produces very little post-production scrap relative to traditional manufacturing processes. Any waste plastic typically comes from the sprue and runners. Any unused or waste plastic, however, can be reground and recycled for future use.

Labor costs for injection molding operations are relatively low compared to other types of molding processes. The capacity to produce the parts at a very high level with a high output rate helps reduce manufacturing costs through its efficiency and effectiveness. 

The molding equipment usually flows with a self-gating, automated process tool to keep operations streamlined and mass production ongoing with minimal supervision.

Most injection-molded parts have a smooth surface finish close to the desired final look. However, a smooth appearance isn’t suitable for every application. Depending on the physical and chemical properties of the plastic material used, the plastic injection molding manufacturing process creates surface finishes that don’t require secondary operations. The process provides finish flexibility, from matte finishes and unique textures to engraving.

Although they are most widespread in the automotive industry, OEMs use lightweight plastic injection molded products in many industries. Using plastic parts helps reduce weight compared to the use of metal parts. Today, high-strength, lightweight thermoplastics can replace metal components with virtually no difference in strength or durability, only in weight.

Complex part designs often require components made of different materials. While this may seem simple, safely combining plastics can be tremendously complicated. By guaranteeing compatibility under all circumstances, plastics expertise from the molder’s project engineers mitigates defects, injury risks, and warranty claims.

Producing high-output yet complex plastic parts requires a consistent, repeatable process to achieve designs with tight tolerances. The injection molding production process helps ensure consistent quality by continually using the same mold for each part, backed by an injection molder’s continuous improvement practices that incorporate current leading-edge technologies.

Modern high-speed injection mold equipment that is appropriately maintained allows for the mass production of precision molded plastic parts. For the production of plastic components such as connectors and gears that require high precision production, this molding process is the best choice and offers tolerances as tight as +/-0.0002”.

Different skill sets of injection mold engineers can help OEMs achieve a shorter product development timeline. Doing so ensures faster production cycles and getting defect-free parts to market faster — a decided competitive advantage for manufacturers.

To make the most of the plastic injection molding process, recognize that the process has lots of details associated with it, and some changes may need to occur to adapt the process to the needs of a given product. Both modest and large-scale production runs require an eye for detail and optimization. The process should allow the machines to run with as little interruption as possible. 

Making wise and efficient use of materials is another crucial tip. Reducing the shot size may help. Experts say that dropping the shot size by 10 percent of the machine’s maximum capacity helps the application nozzle draw more color and work the check ring more fully. Both actions make later cleanup more manageable and help reduce wasted material.

Using the correct thermoplastic for the application is another way to ensure that the materials budget is stretched as far as possible. Preventive maintenance also shouldn’t be overlooked. Cleaning the molding equipment is a top priority during scheduled preventive maintenance.

The thickness of the product’s walls should also be considered. Uniformity here will help products cool evenly and reduce the likelihood of warping. Two valuable rules to follow are:

1. To avoid sharp corners in favor of rounded features, and
2. To keep each wall around 40 to 60 percent of the thickness of the adjoining walls.

For more information check out our article on Plastic Injection Molding Basics.

What Types of Plastic Molding Technology Are the Most Advantageous?

The most advantageous process depends on the application of the desired product and the materials, but some common examples are cube molding, gas-assisted injection molding, die casting, liquid silicone rubber injection molding, micro injection molding, thin-wall injection molding, and reaction injection molding.  For more information see our article on types of plastic molding technology.

Does Plastic Injection Molding Have any Disadvantages?

While injection molding has significant advantages, there are also several disadvantages.

First, while the overall manufacturing costs are low, up-front costs can be high for this manufacturing process, particularly concerning tooling. Before producing any parts, a prototype part must be created, which takes time and money to finish and can be costly.

Injection molding is also not ideal for producing large plastic parts as a single piece because of the size limitations of injection mold machines and the mold tools. Items too large for an injection molding machine’s capability need to be created as multiple parts and joined together in a subsequent step.

Large undercuts also require a professional designer who can plan to avoid them as these can add even more expense to the final product.

This article summarized 12 key advantages of the plastic injection molding process.

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