Micro injection molding

From Plastics Wiki, free encyclopedia

Micro Injection Molding is a plastic and non plastic molding technique. The plastic parts made by means of micromolding have a weight less than 0.1 gr, or have structural dimensions with less than 1 mm. This processing technology needs the use of quite special methods for the manufacturing of mold, and of course the injection of plastic material.

Advantages

• Tooling is less expensive.

Typically a micro injection molding machine running 2 to 4 cavities can compete with a standard molding machine having 16 cavities. Fewer cavities mean lower tooling cost and higher quality.

• Parts are more accurate.

Because the process is designed for small parts and fewer mold cavities are used the micro molding process's accuracy and reliability far exceed those of conventional molding. Accuracy and reliability mean higher quality molded parts with fewer problems and quality issues.

• Cycles are very fast.

Faster cycle times mean lower cost. Cycles typically run less than 6 seconds and often as low as 3 and 4!

• Process tailored for miniature parts.

Micro injection molding machines have very small capacities (3-6 gram barrels and clamps of 2-5 tons). The plastic has a very short heat history and therefore less chance of degrading in the barrel -- a perennial problem with conventional molding machines.

• Radical part geometries possible.

Very thin walls with filled engineering materials are possible. New applications occur constantly.