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Precision Plastic Injection Molders

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Ever Given Underlines Fragility of Logistics in Plastic Injection Molding

A side shot of the Ever Given with "Evergreen" printed on the side floating in a canal, used to represent the fragility of logistics underlined by the Ever Given.

Everyone witnessed the Ever Given causing a six-day traffic jam in the Suez Canal this March. Even with the cargo ship dislodged, it’s creating a nightmare of logistical issues for manufacturers. While the holdup didn’t affect Midstate Mold, it has further revealed how delicate supply chains are that utilize international transport, such as resin shipments or tool relocation. Given the fragility of logistics underlined by the Ever Given, let’s look at how to shorten supply lines in plastic injection molding to avoid undue production and distribution delays.

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How Plastic Injection Molding Shrinkage Affects the Final Product

A closeup of small plastic parts meant to signify plastic injection molding shrinkage.

A part’s geometry, appearance, and performance can be largely impacted if a manufacturer doesn’t properly determine the shrink rate of the final product. It’s inherent in the plastic injection molding process, and if not accurately accounted for, it can result in timely and costly production line disruptions. Despite calculating the shrink rate, sometimes excessive shrinkage can occur, leading to further issues. Since it’s a complex process, let’s take a look at how and why plastic injection molding shrinkage affects the final product and the methods manufacturers use to compensate for it.

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How Prototype Tooling in Injection Molding Accelerates Production

Two bottle-shaped plastic injection molds laying side by side meant to demonstrate prototype tooling in injection molding.

Many believe prototyping is just an extra, unnecessary step in the injection molding process, which is a misconception that can result in severe production line disruptions and forfeiture of time and money. In fact, some believe it increases costs and inhibits development and production times, but in reality, it does the opposite. Proceeding with a custom injection molding without prototyping often results in a series of tool adjustments that can become both time-consuming and expensive. Let’s review precisely how prototype tooling in injection molding accelerates production and saves you time and money.

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How to Avoid Warpage in Plastic Injection Molding

A close-up of red, warped plastic meshed atop similarly warped mesh of varying colors.

Warpage can be one of the more frustrating injection molding defects, as it can range from a simple aesthetic problem to an issue that compromises the entirety of the part’s function. This defect can result from any number of variances occurring within the injection molding process. Fortunately, a combined knowledge of plastic flow behavior, material science, and machine and tool settings can prevent this defect. Let’s discuss how experienced manufacturers avoid warpage in plastic injection molding.

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Force Majeure Declarations Affecting Plastic Injection Molders

A pandemic face mask discarded on snowy ground to represent the force majeure faced by manufacturers due to a combination of COVID-19 and the Texas snowstorm

A frustrating combination of disrupted supply lines from the global pandemic and the recent storm that devastated Texas has led to limitations in resin availability. As with any industry, this is creating a disparity in supply and demand, resulting in soaring plastic prices and force majeure declarations – meaning an inability to fulfill a contract due to an unforeseeable circumstance. This has led to some vendors revising part specifications or material requirements to sidestep the crisis. Let’s take a closer look at the recent and frequent force majeure declarations and their effects on plastic injection molders.

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Achieving Success with Undercuts in Injection Molding

A hand holding the snap and latch part of a black backpack, an example of an undercut used in plastic injection molding.

Undercuts can be defined as any protrusions, cavities, or recessed areas of a part that run parallel to a mold’s parting line. If undercuts are required for a particular part, it can complicate the injection molding ejection process, as the friction can interfere with the part’s separation from the cavity. Fortunately, if a part calls for undercuts, an expert injection molder will be able to apply additional tooling and engineering techniques to facilitate this separation.Let’s discuss some of the ways of achieving success with undercuts in injection molding.

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