Injection Mold Design
The design of a plastic injection mold requires a great deal of skill and technical expertise. The designer not only has to think about the size, specifications, and functionality of the product being produced, they also have to consider the depth of the mold’s cavities and the connectors in between cavities for optimal plastic production.
Some things to consider are:
- What is the function of the product being produced?
- Does the design ensure a quality product that meets functional requirements?
- How does the material interact in the mold when it is being formed?
- How many runs can the mold go through?
Overall, the function of the product will determine the requirements of the mold. For example, the mold of an infant’s toy has the flexibility to be less precise than a plastic gear required for a motor to function. As product precision can become a costly factor, it is critical to find out how precise your product needs to be.
Another reason why the function is critical is because it can also determine the material used in production. Using the previous example, an infant’s toy should not be made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and needs to be BPA- Free and Phthalate-Free. As infants tend to put everything in their mouths, assurances need to be made that the product will not cause bodily harm. On the other hand, as the gear will need to withstand the pressure of being grinded daily (but not eaten or swallowed), it should be produced using a stronger and slightly flexible material such as a PVC compound.
During the molding process, plastics are first blended and melted together before it is injected into the mold. A common misconception is that “plastic” is just one material. In reality, most consumer products use a compound of different materials. As each material has its own unique characteristics, a technician needs to blend different materials in the right ratios in order to achieve a product with particular characteristics.
At Hung Kuan, our material technicians and mold engineers can help you through the entire production process and we do extensive stress testing to ensure that the mold will not prematurely wear out. During our quotation phase, we will confirm the production life cycle of your project, and from there we will create the optimal mold to ensure that it lasts beyond its expected life cycle. As our technicians and engineers have over 50 years of experience, we guarantee that your mold will surpass the expected initial run.
For more information on injection molding, please email us at: info@hungkuan.com or request a quote here.