The Rodon Blog - A Focus on Plastic Injection Molding and American Manufacturing

While there is a huge range of materials to choose from for food and beverage packaging, plastic and glass are two of the most popular and functional materials used. Over the past few decades, plastic has overtaken glass as the most commonly used food packaging material due to its affordability and versatility. According to a 2021 Food Packaging Forum report, plastic dominates the market share of food contact materials with a 37% stake, while glass took third place with 11%. 

But, as a manufacturer, how do you decide which material is best for your product? Several factors need to be considered when choosing glass or plastic as your packaging material, with budget, product type, and intended use being some of the most important.

Injection molding is a highly versatile manufacturing process. It is used to create components in a range of shapes and sizes for various industries and applications. A key element of the process is injection molds. 

Injection molding is a manufacturing process used to create a wide range of plastic parts and products. There are many factors to consider when planning an injection molding project, including who will provide the service. One of the first things you should determine is volume since it helps narrow down which companies have the necessary resources to accommodate your project. 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain has encountered productivity issues, labor shortages, raw material shortages, and timing delays that have impacted nearly every industry. In addition to restaurants, department stores, and other consumer-facing businesses, manufacturing companies have been hit especially hard. 

The question remains of whether the international business community will be able to regain control of the supply chain and maximize productivity once again. 

The field of robotics is an area that fascinates millions of people. Technological advances happen continuously in every field, but robotics, in particular, is closely monitored by many who are eager to discover what's next. As a company that prides itself on being at the cutting edge of technological innovation, The Rodon Group is always up to date on the latest robotics trends, especially concerning plastic injection molding.

In 1956, The Rodon Group was founded with just four presses, 5,000 square feet of space, and a big vision. Today, as we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we do so as one of the largest family-owned and operated plastic injection molders in the country. With 128 presses, we serve clients in a wide range of industries with innovative manufacturing solutions, and we look forward to doing so for many years to come. 

Manufacturing solid and durable plastic parts requires a plan and design. When you work with a quality manufacturer, you have design engineers readily available to create the perfect piece and build an injection mold for high-volume product creation. Here, the team at The Rodon Group shares a checklist of design considerations you can keep in mind for your next plastic injection molding project.

Plastic injection molding processes are fast, efficient, and precise when conducted by an experienced professional plastic molder using advanced, automated machinery. By using appropriately advanced equipment and automation technology, each manufactured piece will be identical to the initial design file and other units in the order.

Materials that will come into direct contact with food must be durable, non-reactive, and inert. For consumer safety, it is vital that these plastics must be able to withstand factors such as chemical exposure, extreme temperatures, and UV radiation without breaking down. To be considered food-grade, plastic injection molding materials must adhere to strict regulations.