Plastics Injection Molding: Is it Right for Your Business?

How to Know if You Should Invest in Plastics Injection Molding

Plastics injection molding is one of the fastest ways to create parts in large quantities. This process involves heating a plastic polymer,and then pushing it into a metal mold. There, it’s allowed to cool before being removed. This procedure occurs quickly, which is why many manufacturers choose injection molding for their products. But, is it right for you? Here, we’re looking at the advantages and disadvantages and helping you make the right decision for your business.

Advantages of Injection Molding

Fast Production Speeds

Injection molding can be extremely fast, with most cycles lasting between 15 and 120 seconds. Of course, this will vary depending on the complexity of the mold. If you’re looking for a fast manufacturing option, injection molding is a great choice.

Low Labor Costs

Injection molding is fairly automated, leading to lower labor costs. In fact, many injection molding machines are outfitted with robots to keep the production process moving. At Deluxe Plastics, we’ve invested in cobots that work alongside humans to keep costs low for our customers.

Design Flexibility

The molds used in this process can handle complex shapes and intricate details. This allows for creative part design, meaning you can create virtually anything.

Material Versatility

Material versatility in injection molding allows manufacturers to select the best materials for their specific applications. This way, you can optimize for factors like durability, aesthetics, and functionality. With different materials to choose from, you can enable cost-effective production and innovation.

Minimal Waste

This manufacturing process has extremely low amounts of waste, making it a more sustainable choice than other options. Only the necessary materials are fed into the mold. If there is a small amount of excess, that plastic is melted and reused.

Considerations for Injection Molding

High Upfront Costs

While injection molding is a cost-effective option when looking at cost-per-part numbers, it does require a high upfront investment. Designing and building the mold is a major cost and may be prohibitive for some smaller companies. However, the cost-effectiveness of the manufacturing process negates this concern.

Part Design Restrictions

Manufacturers use injection molding to create all kinds of products. But, there are some part design restrictions you must keep in mind. Certain features like undercuts may be difficult or impossible. Additionally, you must carefully consider wall thickness, draft angles, and more. An experienced injection molding manufacturer can help you determine what’s best for your business.

Minimum Order Quantities

Usually, plastics injection molding will require some kind of minimum order quantity. That means this process will be best for high-volume production.

When is Injection Molding the Right Choice?

So, how do you know if plastics injection molding is right for your business? There are three questions to ask yourself before choosing this method:

• Volume: How many parts will you need? Injection molding is best for high-volume production, which is usually 10,000 parts or more per year.
• Tolerances: How tight do your tolerances need to be? If they need to be precise, injection molding is a great choice.
• Geometries: How complex are your part geometries and necessary features?

Trust Deluxe Plastics for Your Injection Molding Needs

If you’re in need of injection molding services, turn to Deluxe Plastics. We have nearly a century of success in serving businesses with custom plastic molded parts of the highest quality. No matter your industry, our expert team will empower your projects with a personalized approach that helps you get ahead of the competition. We’ll handle everything from part design and mold building to secondary operations and shipment. That way, you can focus on what really matters — growing your business.

Let’s Get Started

Want to learn more about what we can do for you? Reach out to our team for an initial consultation.