Think injection molding (IM) and you immediately think, plastic;sackfuls of little green army men and building blocks. However, metal, glass and even chocolate can be used in this process. Everything from DVD holders to Easter Bunnies is manufactured using IM technology.
The IM process has even been used to manufacture shoes - both casual flip-flops and designer heels. Both a science and an art, IM is incredibly versatile and is used to produce everything from dustpans and laundry baskets to precision-machined parts for robots and aircraft engines.
One use for IM with which we are all familiar is in the making of military miniatures and collectible toy soldiers. In many cases, the pieces are intricately designed and crafted to the specifications of a particular war. Enthusiasts are able to create exact replicas of battles. Prices vary with the rank of the soldier and the complexity of the design. For example, the Duke of Wellington sitting on horseback can fetch a price of around $200, while lower-ranking troops cost a fraction of that price.
Electric toy train enthusiasts are avid consumers of IM technology. Where do you think the little toy trees and little toy engineers and signalmen come from? The amount of authenticity and detail that goes into making these items is breath-taking. Built to last, these pieces are often manufactured from molded metal so they are sufficiently robust to be passed down from generation to generation.
To produce metal parts, a fine metal dust is created and blended with a binder to produce a feedstock material that will go through machinery made from plastic. Surgical blade holders are manufactured using this process, as are engine parts for everything from motorcycles to airplanes.
The vast range of objects that can be produced using IM is astounding. The injecting and molding machines are themselves built from parts that are the product of IM technology.
A surprising number of feeder industries are part of the IM process. Computer software programmers, polymer manufactures, the chemical industry that makes binders and other additives and the makers of molding machines all contribute to the art and science of the IM process. One thing that will be fun to watch in the coming years is how the IM industry will develop as the field of three-dimensional printing becomes more common.
The IM process has even been used to manufacture shoes - both casual flip-flops and designer heels. Both a science and an art, IM is incredibly versatile and is used to produce everything from dustpans and laundry baskets to precision-machined parts for robots and aircraft engines.
One use for IM with which we are all familiar is in the making of military miniatures and collectible toy soldiers. In many cases, the pieces are intricately designed and crafted to the specifications of a particular war. Enthusiasts are able to create exact replicas of battles. Prices vary with the rank of the soldier and the complexity of the design. For example, the Duke of Wellington sitting on horseback can fetch a price of around $200, while lower-ranking troops cost a fraction of that price.
Electric toy train enthusiasts are avid consumers of IM technology. Where do you think the little toy trees and little toy engineers and signalmen come from? The amount of authenticity and detail that goes into making these items is breath-taking. Built to last, these pieces are often manufactured from molded metal so they are sufficiently robust to be passed down from generation to generation.
To produce metal parts, a fine metal dust is created and blended with a binder to produce a feedstock material that will go through machinery made from plastic. Surgical blade holders are manufactured using this process, as are engine parts for everything from motorcycles to airplanes.
The vast range of objects that can be produced using IM is astounding. The injecting and molding machines are themselves built from parts that are the product of IM technology.
A surprising number of feeder industries are part of the IM process. Computer software programmers, polymer manufactures, the chemical industry that makes binders and other additives and the makers of molding machines all contribute to the art and science of the IM process. One thing that will be fun to watch in the coming years is how the IM industry will develop as the field of three-dimensional printing becomes more common.
About the Author:
Genevive B. Mata has taught plastics molding techniques for over 15 years. He specializes in injection molding and thermoforming. If you are interested in learning more about plastic pallet supplier then he recommends you visit his friends at PTM: Custom Plastics Injection Molding Company.
No comments:
Post a Comment