How RJG eDart Transformed PCI's Injection Molding Operation - Q&A with Director of Engineering Kurt Behrendt Injection molding technology has evolved greatly since the Hyatt brothers patented the first injection molding machine in 1872. Their initial plunger design was improved upon in 1946 when James Hendry created the first auger injection molding machine. But it wasn’t until the computer age when advances to the injection molding process started to take shape. Today's plastic injection molders must stay at the forefront with scientific molding principles and processes to meet the dema ..read more

Transferring an injection mold tool does not need to be stressful or overly costly. There are a number of important questions to consider during the injection molding tool transfer process ..read more

In the world of plastics manufacturing, there has been a definitive line between 3D printed parts and plastic injection molded parts. However, in recent years, that line has blurred as more injection molders not only see the value in 3D printing for prototyping parts or low-volume runs but also to help create efficiencies in their own manufacturing processes. While using 3D printing to improve injection molding outcomes is not always common practice, PCI’s forward-thinking engineers have identified areas where additive molding plays a significant role in enhancing machine functionality ..read more

From the specific plastic you are using, your mold, temperature, material density, and the machine itself and its individual parts, there are a number of variables that can make or break the injection molding process ..read more

A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is a device that measures the physical geometrical characteristics of an object, and in our manufacturing application – plastic parts. The device is often used in manufacturing processes to qualify or test a part or against the design intent ..read more

Throughout the injection molding process, there are several factors that affect efficiencies and viability of a plastic part. Before production begins, there are important design elements to consider – particularly when a part requires the use of a high heat or exotic resins. These design considerations improve the moldability of parts, and ultimately, may reduce the chance of defects and other issues. In the beginning design stages of a plastic part, engineers should work closely with a trusted injection molder who can provide suggestions on how to best optimize the design and make crit ..read more

Resin materials used in plastic injection molding have evolved significantly in recent years as advancements to combining plastics with fillers and reinforcement materials has become more common in many industrial applications to improve part performance and strength. In the past, plastics were not known to be highly heat resistant materials. It is becoming more known that there are now many high performance resins that can be put to use at temperatures up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit – depending on the part / product’s environmental factors and exposure to chemicals. High heat and exotic resins ..read more

Scientific molding practices are essential to achieving outcomes that deliver faster cycles, higher volumes, and a more efficient injection molding process. Implementing sound scientific principles can help with determining optimal molding conditions. Equipment and software that help monitor real-time production processes guide the scientific molding stages and provide a critical advantage. In addition, quality control issues can be avoided by having automated containment control and traceability for specific applications. From collecting data to machine maintenance, process development to re ..read more

Manufacturers use a wide variety of plastics to mold parts incorporated into products and have increasingly begun to replace other materials like bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramics. Some of the most popular reasons for using or switching to plastic include longer overall lifespan of the part, reduced wear on other components of a product, faster production line speeds, corrosion resistance and weight reduction. In addition, companies report an average 25-50 percent cost savings when parts are converted to plastic which oftentimes exhibit superior performance attributes ..read more