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Midstate Mold & Engineering

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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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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What Causes Delamination in Injection Molding?

A board splintering into layers used to visualize delamination in injection molding

The goal of every manufacturer is to provide a final product free of defects by implementing quality control measures. However, if you find your manufactured parts are fracturing into separate layers, you’re witnessing a mode of failure known as delamination. The source of delamination can range from the plastics you use to the condition of your injection mold. Fortunately, Midstate Mold & Engineering has the experience necessary to troubleshoot the different causes of delamination in injection molding.

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Think About Tool Relocation During the COVID-19 Shutdown

COVID-19 lockdown shown on cell phone next to keyboard and face mask

The COVID-19 virus has laid bare the vulnerabilities in parts of our businesses, from the strain of social distancing on supply and demand to the tenuous links in our supply logistics that keep stock on the shelves of manufacturers and retailers alike. In the world of injection molding and plastic parts, you may find yourself or your supply in lockdown from state orders or issues with supply or staff. In this pause, it’s time to think about using this time for tool relocation to keep your business going now and into the future.

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The Standards for Plastic Injection Molding in the Medical Industry

Injection molded medical disposal mouthpiece for asthma and COPD testing.

While we’ve been planning on writing this blog for some time now more than ever with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to understand precisely what goes into making medical-grade polymer parts and why we hold their manufacture to such a high standard. From industry-specific standards and traceability to the requirements that parts and the plastics that make them need to meet. Learn what you need to have when it comes to making plastic injection molding parts for the medical industry.

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