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Precision Plastic Injection Molders

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Rapid Part Prototyping: Why to Include Manufacturers During Design

Hands holding a black prototype part for toy on a yellow background, inidcating a part make with rapid part prototyping

The act of prototyping is typically performed to test various part designs to create the best product, and sometimes it’s required to show multiple design elements to prospective investors. Regardless, prototype development is integral to the plastic injection molding process, as the final product should mirror the designer’s image. However, there are often time constraints on part manufacturing, so individually prototyping different molds can be wasteful. That’s where rapid part prototyping comes in to play.

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Multi-Cavity Molds vs. Family Molds: Which Best Serves Your Needs?

A close-up picture of a multi-cavity plastic injection mold with four similar parts inside, meant to serve as a comparison between multi-cavity molds and family molds

The process of injection molding involves plastic being inserted into a hollow mold cavity. The finalized product takes on the shape of the desired part. However, what if your project requires multiple plastic parts? Designing and building several molds is expensive and time-consuming, which is where multi-cavity molds and family molds come into play. In this blog, we will discuss the difference between the two and how to determine the best option for your needs.

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Injection Molding and the Reshoring Index

A forklift operator next to towers of shipping containers at a port at dusk

While the US-China trade war certainly presented a major disruption of imports, COVID-19 is putting a strain on the global economy that’s forcing many companies to rethink their sourcing strategies. These shifts in imported vs. domestic manufacturing have generated overarching implications for US-based industries. In particular, the injection molding industry has begun to witness companies favoring plastic parts produced locally over outsourced products. These changes are further explained in an annual analysis known as the Reshoring Index.

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What’s the Best Transparent Plastic for Injection Molding?

A clear bottle made of transparent thermoplastics on top of grass

Molding clear parts – such as water bottles or food-grade storage items – requires more focused attention to detail and stricter processing controls compared to non-transparent injection molding. Each transparent polymer has varying properties that can influence a company’s decision, including differing levels of strength needs, temperature requirements, and chemical resistance. Even environmental factors such as UV radiation can cause degradation in outdoor equipment utilizing clear plastics. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the best transparent plastic for your needs.

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Plastic Molding Methods: Compression vs. Injection

A close up of spare electrical component made with compression molding in order to contrast from injection molding

Plastics are used to make everything from children’s toys to critical medical components. However, the process by which these products are made is determined by your industry’s specifications. There are several plastic molding options available for this very reason, each capable of adhering to specific requirements. Determining your parts’ needs and conditions is essential when it comes to deciding the best option for you. In this blog, we will discuss the two most common options – compression molding and injection molding – and characterize their applications.

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Modify an Injection Mold or Build a New Mold?

A milling machine modifying an injection mold by trimming steel from the tool.

As a business evolves, so too do the parts it requires. A company may need to adjust the size, offer more variations, or make changes to a product based on feedback. For businesses that get their parts from injection molds, they have to decide on how they want to change the produced parts. Some alterations simply require one to modify their existing mold, while others may call for the creation of an entirely new injection mold. In this blog, we will discuss which option would work best for your needs.

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