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Injection Moulding
How you can order injection moulding online?
Using advanced machine learning algorithms, we identify the ideal manufacturer for your projects based on quality, price, and delivery time - whether it's for prototypes or large-scale production.
With Lia Global Sourcing as your sole contract partner, we take full responsibility for project management, ensuring on-time delivery and top-notch part quality, every step of the way.
1) Inquiry
For your inquiries, you can reach out to us via email, complete the quote form on our website, or give us a call for any inquiries.
2) Quote
We offer the quickest quotes, coupled with technical feasibility check, and we always provide flexible offers.
3) Manufacturing
Coupled with our certified quality management, we boast the broadest manufacturing range in the market, ensuring unlimited production capacity to meet any of your industrial needs.
4) Delivery
Our commitment to consistently short delivery times, Europe-wide express shipping, and our 100% climate-neutral operations reflects our dedication to both efficiency and sustainability.
Your questions answered
Common questions
What is injection molding ?
Injection molding is a method used to produce molded products by injecting molten plastic materials into a mold, which are then cooled and solidified. This method is particularly well-suited for the mass production of items with intricate shapes and plays a significant role in the field of plastic processing. The injection molding process is typically divided into six major steps, as outlined below:
1. Clamping
2. Injection
3. Dwelling
4. Cooling
5. Mold opening
6. Removal of products
What is injection molding machine?
The injection molding machine is divided into two units: a clamping unit and an injection unit.
The clamping unit serves to open and close the mold and eject the finished products. There are two types of clamping methods: the toggle type, as illustrated in the figure below, and the straight-hydraulic type, where a hydraulic cylinder directly controls the mold’s opening and closing.
The primary functions of the injection unit are to heat and melt plastic and then inject the molten plastic into the mold. This is achieved by rotating the screw, which melts the plastic introduced from the hopper and accumulates molten plastic in front of the screw, a process often referred to as metering. Once the required amount of molten plastic is accumulated, the injection process begins.
While the molten plastic flows into the mold, the machine regulates the screw’s movement speed, known as injection speed. Simultaneously, it controls the dwell pressure once the molten plastic has filled the mold cavities.
The transition from speed control to pressure control occurs at a specific predetermined point, triggered when either the screw position or injection pressure reaches a set value.
What is mould?
A mold is a hollow metal block into which molten plastic is injected to create a specific predetermined shape. It’s important to note that many holes are actually drilled into the mold to facilitate temperature control using hot water, oil, or heaters.
Molten plastic enters the mold through a sprue and then fills the cavities via runners and gates. Following the cooling process, the mold is opened, and the ejector rod of the injection molding machine pushes the ejector plate of the mold to efficiently eject the molded products.
What is moulding?
A mold consists of several components: a sprue for introducing molten resin, a runner to channel it to the cavities, and the resulting products. Because producing only one product per injection is highly inefficient, molds are typically designed with multiple cavities connected by a runner, allowing for the simultaneous production of many products in a single shot.
In cases where the length of the runner to each cavity varies, there is a risk that the cavities may not fill simultaneously. This can result in variations in the dimensions, appearance, or properties of the molded products from one cavity to another. Consequently, runners are usually designed to have uniform lengths from the sprue to each cavity to ensure consistent and uniform molding.
How to use of reprocessed materials
Sprues and runners, which are part of the moldings, are not considered final products. These components are sometimes discarded, but in other cases, they are finely reground and repurposed as materials for molding. These reused materials are referred to as ‘reprocessed materials.’
Reprocessed materials are typically not used as the sole materials for molding. They are usually blended with virgin pellets. This blending is done to mitigate the risk of deteriorating various plastic characteristics due to the initial molding process. It’s important to note that there is a maximum allowable limit for the ratio of reprocessed materials, which is typically around 30%. Exceeding this limit may negatively impact the original properties of the plastics being used.
For more information on the properties when reprocessed materials are used, please consult the ‘reprocessing capability’ section in the plastic database.
Understanding Molding Conditions for Optimal Results
Molding conditions encompass various factors, including cylinder temperature, injection speed, mold temperature, and more. These settings are crucial in achieving the desired characteristics in molded products. The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to combinations of molding conditions.
The choice of conditions plays a pivotal role in determining the appearance, dimensions, and mechanical properties of the final molded products. This underscores the importance of leveraging tried-and-tested technology and accumulated experience to pinpoint the most appropriate molding conditions for your specific needs.
At Lia Global Souring, our team’s expertise ensures that your molding processes are optimized for exceptional results. With years of experience, we’ll help you navigate the intricate world of molding conditions to achieve the best outcomes for your projects.
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