Main navigation

Midstate Mold & Engineering

Precision Plastic Injection Molders

plastic injection molding

by

The Benefits of Engineering-Grade Resins in Plastic Injection Molding

A gloved hand holding a screw driver next to plastic electrical housing make with engineering-grade resins.

Mainstream polymers are versatile enough to perform a large number of applications. Still, sometimes custom or specially built molded parts – such as for medical and public safety industries – have requirements that some commodity plastics just can’t meet. If a part needs to stand up to harsh conditions such as chemicals and fire, often engineering-grade plastics are the most viable solution. To understand how the application of these special plastics can minimize failure risk and achieve unique specifications, let’s review engineering-grade resins in plastic injection molding.

[Read more…] about The Benefits of Engineering-Grade Resins in Plastic Injection Molding

by

3 Considerations When Designing a Plastic Molding Ejection System

A clear injection mold showing the innerworkings and various components of an ejection system.

When plastic parts become stuck in a mold, it can result in part defects, breakage of mold components, manufacturing delays, and increased costs. That is why carefully designing an efficient ejection system is key to achieving optimal output and final quality products. To design a system that ejects parts easily, quickly, and consistently, the engineer should pay considerable attention to the ejection surface area, the location, and the ejection type. Let’s take a closer look at these three considerations when designing a plastic molding ejection system.

[Read more…] about 3 Considerations When Designing a Plastic Molding Ejection System

by

The Benefits of Plastic Parts in the Automotive Industry

A close-up of the rear of a blue car depicting a plastic plate surrounding the exhaust pipe.

We’ve come a long way since the Model T, transitioning away from heavy metal beams and brackets to lightweight yet durable plastics. Today, plastic parts support a wide variety of car functions, from the pedal and seat components to the powertrain and fuel system. There are several benefits to using plastics in car manufacturing, and skilled injection molders are well-versed in matching the right polymers to a car part’s performance needs. To discover just how useful this material can be, let’s review the benefits of plastic parts in the automotive industry.

[Read more…] about The Benefits of Plastic Parts in the Automotive Industry

by

The Advantages of Sourcing Your Injection Molding

A plastic injection molder maintaining a large mold to indicate the advantages of sourcing your injection molding.

Manufacturing products entirely made in-house can seem like an attractive proposition, but it’s a prospect that is either extremely difficult to achieve or outright unattainable. It’s usually a consideration rooted in the perceived notion of reduced costs or faster production, but the likelihood of achieving either of these benefits is slim. In fact, outsourcing some of your product’s parts can have many immediate and long-term benefits that exceed in-house production. Let’s specifically review some of the advantages of sourcing your injection molding.

[Read more…] about The Advantages of Sourcing Your Injection Molding

by

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.

[Read more…] about Ever Given Underlines Fragility of Logistics in Plastic Injection Molding

by

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.

[Read more…] about How Plastic Injection Molding Shrinkage Affects the Final Product