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Precision Plastic Injection Molders

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Dealing with the “New Normal” of Plastic Manufacturing Logistics

A cargo container ship at port with a city skyline in the distant background.

COVID-19 had a massive impact on the global supply chain, as nations entered lockdowns and implemented safety regulations which slowed the flow of trade. With the supply chain still reeling from the pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine has only further damaged global logistics. With China’s zero-tolerance COVID-19 measures, we are also continuing to experience shipping bottlenecks. As the supply chain will continue to encounter obstacles for the foreseeable future, it’s time we learn to deal with the “new normal” for plastic manufacturing logistics.

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How Plastic Injection Molding Benefits the Transportation Industry

A rear view of a semi-trailer truck traveling on an interstate in the desert, meant to depict the benefits of injection molding on the transportation industry.

Transportation is integral to world commerce, and never has that been more apparent than today. From container ships bridging the gaps between continents to highway truckers on the interstate, plastics have revolutionized this industry. Plastic injection molding designs cosmetic parts for the interior of vehicles and generates components critical for performance. Plastics have helped businesses across the globe meet their financial milestones while limiting their costs within the transport sector. To truly understand the impact, let’s review how plastic injection molding benefits the transportation industry.

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How Hot Runner Systems Operate in Plastic Injection Molding

An angular view inside the window of a plastic injection molding machine using a hot runner system with a key pad panel on the right side.

Nowadays, plastic injection molding is mostly performed in one of two ways: hot runner systems or cold runner systems. If you’ve worked with plastic injection molding before, you’re likely familiar with hot runner systems. However, you may not be familiar with how they operate or differ from cold runner injection molding systems. As a process that increases the cycle speed and decreases waste in plastic injection molding, it’s a very attractive means of creating high-quality plastic parts. To truly appreciate its diversity and efficiency, let’s discuss how hot runner systems operate in plastic injection molding.

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What is the Difference Between Overmolding and Insert Molding?

A screwdriver created via insert molding with a black and yellow handle next to screws on a wooden table.

Plastic injection molding embodies numerous subsets of versatile manufacturing processes. Two distinct methods of plastic fabrication include overmolding and insert molding, each offering its own advantages. Insert molding is the process of molding plastic over an entirely different material, and overmolding is a method that adds a layer of material over an existing part. Though, this is not where their differences end. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the difference between overmolding and insert molding.

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The History Behind Plastic Injection Molding

Tan, black, and brown clothes buttons lined in a row atop a black surface, when to exhibit the history behind plastic injection molding.

While we often credit automobiles and computers for the convenience we experience today, products like these wouldn’t exist at such a scale without evolving manufacturing processes like plastic injection molding. The development of plastic injection molding has enabled these technological feats by offering cost-effective and quality solutions. These have provided commercially viable plastic that served multiple different applications, allowing manufacturers to offer high-quality products to homes around the world. To truly appreciate this technique, let’s dive into the history behind plastic injection molding.

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Thermoplastic Highlight: Polycarbonate for Injection Molding

Polycarbonate safety goggles, a yellow hard hat, and white cloth gloves on top of a wooden surface.

Plastic injection molding has the benefits of working with many different thermoplastics, each with its own unique characteristics. One of the most common types used in the industry is polycarbonate. You might have heard this plastic used in discussions about transparent roofing or in ads about luggage, headlights, and goggles. In products like these, the features of this transparent and resilient thermoplastic cannot be understated. Let’s discuss the details of polycarbonate for injection molding and whether it’s the right material for your next project.

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