Plastic products have become an integral part of our everyday life and have found place in each and every facet of our lives be it shopping, at home, at office driving a vehicle, electronics, white goods, etc, plastic products are present in one form or another.
These products are manufactured using different processes, among which the most predominant one is Plastic Precision Injection Moulding. prefer Injection Moulding over other processes due to its cost-effectiveness and reproducibility with high precision for high volume production. Let us see what products can be made by the Injection Moulding process.
Injection Moulding is used by a variety of industries to manufacture a variety of products which include toys, consumer packaging products such as Bottles, Containers, Pouches, Bags, Caps, etc.,surgical equipment industrial storage containers material handling systems, and even automotive dashboards, a range of automotive parts and spare parts. In fact the share of plastic products in a typical car / vehicle is growing at an exponentail rate and the day is not far wherein we may see a car made from complete plastics / compoiste materials. Many industries are dependent on Injection Moulding for small components used in the final products. A lot of products require details that are otherwise impossible to create by any other manufacturing process at a competitive price.
Following are the typical examples of component parts manufactured using Injection Moulding process.
Some of the commonly used products made using Injection Moulding
Important industrial applications include:
Automotive
Injection molded plastic products help in enhancing the fuel efficiency and reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and improve its aerodynamics.The automotive industry uses injection molded plastic products for various applications such as air intake systems, interior components, under-the-hood components, and exterior parts. For example, the air intake system is a critical component of a vehicle that filters air and directs it to the engine. Injection molded plastic parts are extensively used in the air intake system as they excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties, increasing the efficiency of the Engine. Interior components from dashboard to door panels, the interior of the vehicle has a plethora of injection molded plastic parts. These plastic parts have several benefits first, they provide an excellent surface finish and superior quality. Secondly, the plastic parts are durable and long-lasting. Lastly, they are cost-effective and easy to produce in mass quantities.Under-the-hood components such as coolant tanks, engine covers, and oil pans are also made of injection molded plastic products.Finally, the exterior parts of a vehicle, such as bumpers and body panels, are also made of injection molded plastic products. The reason for using plastic parts for exterior applications is that they are lightweight, easy to produce, and can be painted to match the vehicle`s color.
Food and Beverage
Plastic materials are widely used in the food and beverage industry to make product packaging and containers like PET Bottles for the Beverage Industry, HDPE Blown Moulded Containers for the Edible Oil and Condiment segments, Injection Moulded Containers for food applications and Various types of Closures. Plastic injection moulding is an obvious choice which guarantees that various stringent safety specifications and requirements are met Another area where injection molding has made a significant impact is in the production of plastic utensils and cutlery items like forks, spoons, and knives.
Medical & Pharmaceuticals
Plastic injection moulding widely used to manufacture single use disposable syringes which has revolutionized the medical sector thus preventing infections reulting from multi use syringes. Another commonly used injection molded product in the medical sector is drug delivery devices. These injection molded devices are designed to deliver medications and drugs through different routes such as inhalation, transdermal, or oral routes. These devices are precisely engineered to ensure the accurate dose of medication is delivered to the patient. Medical implants such as dental implants, artificial hip joints, and pacemaker casings are also injection molded products. These implants are specifically designed and manufactured to meet patient-specific requirements, making them an essential part of modern medical treatment. Moreover, injection molded products like catheters, tubing, and connectors are necessary for the proper functioning of medical devices. These injection molded products are designed to maintain the hygiene and safety of medical equipment, making them an indispensable part of the healthcare industry.
Household Products
At our homes, right from Clocks, Calculators, Electronic devices like laptops, mobile phones, domestic appliances, Televisions, Furniture, there is no area left where one cannot find plastic products being used. To summarise Injection Moulded Plastic Products rule our lives at home in ways more than we can imagine and have bettered the lives of millions of human beings on our Planet.
Agriculture
Earlier, the agriculture industry was dependent mostly on metal-made components simply because they provided a durable solution. But today, with the advent of plastic industry, reinforced plastic options are available due to their unique characteristics like UV-resistance, impact-resistance, humidity resistance, and extreme environmental tolerance, making them a more viable choice. Plastic injection moulding has enabled the agriculture industry to produce a range of products that can withstand the tough conditions prevailing in outdoor farm Conditions. Typical examples are a range of products used in Drip Irrigation such as HDPE Pipes, Sprinklers, Laterals, Drippers, Misters, Polytubes, Foggers, Valves, etc which are typically manfactured using Injection Moulding and Extrusion Technologies.
Electronics
In the electronics sector, injection molded products can be classified into different types based on their specific applications. One such category is the housing products which provide a protective barrier to the internal of the device. These products need to be designed to guarantee the safety of the device from the external elements while making sure the product is visually appealing. The second type of product is the electrical and electronic component products. These products are used to enhance the electrical and mechanical properties of a particular device. For instance, the switches, buttons, knobs, and connectors need to be ergonomically designed to provide a tactile feel and efficient functionality. The third category of products is the lens and optical component products. These products are of utmost importance in devices such as cameras and sensors as they are for providing superior image quality and sensing capabilities. These products need to be made with precision to ensure their accurate function. Additionally, the injection molded products used in electronics have specific requirements for their material and tolerance levels. They need to be able to withstand high temperatures, UV radiation, and corrosive environments while maintaining their shape and size. In conclusion, injection molded products are a critical aspect of the electronics sector that enables the production of high-quality devices. The different types of injection molded products cater to specific purposes, and their design and functionality play an important role in the success of a device. The proper selection of materials, precise dimensions, and efficient production processes ensure that the end product meets the high standards of the electronics industry.