INJECTION MOLDING
In the injection molding process, thermoplastic resins are melted and the melt is forced (injected) into a mold. After this melt cools until the polymer solidifies, the parts are removed (ejected) from the mold. Injection molding permits mass production netshape manufacturing of high precision, three-dimensional of plastic parts . One of the most common plastics manufacturing processes, injection molding can produce parts weighing as little as fraction of a gram or as much as 150 kg . The process currently consumes 30% of polymeric resins of which 90% are thermoplastics (i.e., capable of being remelted)1. Major advantages include capabilities to produce parts with: 1) virtually unlimited complexity, 2) fine details and good surface appearance, 3) controlled wall thickness and excellent dimensional stability, and 4) requiring limited or no finishing. |