Plastic injection molding manufacturers have a vocabulary all their own because of how technical the subject can be. To make the right decision on which injection mold manufacturers you should consider, you have to know the basics of the industry terminology. The following are 10 of the most commonly used terms by plastic injection molding manufacturers.
3D printing – 3D printing is an alternative to plastic mold injection. To determine the right process, you have to learn the strengths of each method.
Hot and cold runner molds – Hot and cold refer to the heat of the plastic when it is injected into the mold.
Injection mold design – The design phase is perhaps the most time intensive phase of the project. The designers use specifications to ensure that the mold will produce a part or product that meets the requirements, as well as determining the right mold type.
Mold cavity – The mold cavity is the main area of the mold where the part is created. The plastic hardens as it cools in the cavity.
Plastic injection molding – The term refers to the way the mold is made. A special type of plastic is injected into a special piece of equipment and is then injected into a specially designed mold to make a part.
Prototype molds – Prototype molds give designers and customers a way to produce a version of the final product at a lower cost. They are not intended to be the final product, so typically cheaper materials are used during prototypes, making it more cost effective and easier to modify the mold.
Ribs and bosses – Ribs and bosses are common components used in molds to create stability and durability in the final product or part. They are specially designed to strengthen walls (ribs) or to allow for screws and other fasteners (bosses) to be added to the final product.
Simulation – An alternative to prototyping, simulations can act as a way to check the design before a mold goes into mass production. However, unlike prototypes, no actual product is produced as the simulation is purely digital.
Stack molds – Molds that are able to produce several parts or products at a time. A special design is required, but it can be a significant cost saver for long-term projects.
Undercuts – The recessions and protrusions that ensure the mold does not slide along the parting direction.
Topics: Injection Mold Technology