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.
Design Considerations for a Custom Plastic Injection Molding Project
It’s essential to specify the part’s job for the best design possible. Is the part going to be a stand-alone piece or a small part of another piece? The dimensions, tensile requirements, elemental factors, pressure, and chemical exposure should all be considered when thinking about the design.
Maintaining a uniform wall thickness ensures no weakened spots where pressure and wear can cause issues after manufacturing. Melted plastic fills the thick-walled areas first and then moves on to smaller areas. Ensuring uniformity will eliminate most of the manufacturing defects and provide a viable product.
Rib design is the next major area you should think about. They attribute to part strength and durability. Usually, the thick walls contain ribs that take up half to 70% of the wall’s total thickness. It’s vital to take care when designing the ribs; if they are too thick or tall, they can sink and become a hindrance. Corners should be rounded to increase load-bearing and aid in the injection process.
Design elements like bosses, weld lines, gate placements, and vent placements are necessary to ensure that the part can meet tensile strength and endurance without failing. Bosses help guide screws and pins, and should be the same thickness as ribs. Weld lines need careful planning so that the connection of two flows does not create a weak spot and compromise the integrity. Gates and vents must be placed in areas to allow the mold to completely fill while allowing access to gasses to escape.
Our specialists incorporate the best materials from over one hundred commodity, specialty, and engineering plastics. Designers help clients choose from five different resin types to determine the best type for its end-use:
- Polypropylene
- Low-Density Polyethylene
- Celcon®
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- High Impact Polystyrene
Before choosing the material, we consider where it is to be used, for what application, the environmental conditions, temperature, appearance, and regulations for its use.
Learn More About Custom Plastic Injection Molding
Using a design engineering team can make the process of injection molding easier and more affordable. The Rodon Group is ISO 9001:2015 certified and one of the industry’s best manufacturers for plastic injection molding. We specialize in creating high-volume parts for a range of industries and applications. We offer globally competitive pricing and avoid outsourcing overseas. To learn more about custom plastic injection molding, check out our infographic about designing the perfect plastic part. When you’re ready to begin your design process, contact us or request a quote.
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