Plastic components are replacing metal ones in many industrial applications as a result of their lighter weight, improved performance, lower production costs, various resistances to corrosion and other types of wear, and accelerated production times. These benefits are causing industries to make the switch. Injection molding is the production method that can bring all of these benefits to the manufacturing of plastic parts.
Injection molding, also known as die casting, is a manufacturing process that involves forming components in molds
As of the middle of 2022, the market for injection molding was estimated to be worth $300 billion
In recent years, it has gained more traction in the medical industry, particularly due to the increasing demand for biodegradable materials that are more environmentally friendly and its ability to achieve high-quality, cost-effective parts
This is especially due to the increasing demand for biodegradable materials that are more environmentally friendly and the ability of this technology to achieve these things
When compared to other processes such as CNC machining and 3D printing, injection molding's versatility enables it to produce high volumes of parts at a lower price per individual part and at greater speeds than those other processes. You have access to more than 25,000 engineered materials that are compatible with injection molding, and you can also scale the production of your products into the thousands or even millions.
When planning projects, you should think about using injection molding:
That require large annual volume productions; That involve complex designs and shapes (so long as the design takes into account IM design constraints like undercuts and part thickness); That are required to be manufactured in large quantities.
Need to consolidate parts or convert metal to plastic; Situations in which surface finish is a significant consideration.
When the design is likely to remain the same or only change in smaller increments over the course of several years (and production runs), involve materials that would be too expensive to use with other manufacturing processes; involve expensive materials that pose budgetary concerns if machined; or in cases where the design is likely to be machined.
Let's take a deeper dive into the common uses of injection molding as well as the primary advantages of utilizing this higher-volume manufacturing process.
Molding components for medical technology using injection molding
The planning and production of medical products and technologies are subject to stringent national and international regulations, which are designed to ensure adherence to policies and minimize the potential for harm to patients. For instance, resins need to have both an FDA approval seal and an ISO certification in order for them to be used by manufacturers in the United States who produce medical components.
At Hubs, our capabilities include the production of plastic enclosures for a variety of medical instruments, as well as transparent parts and components for MRI machines.
Injection molded medical components can be made from a wide variety of sterile and biocompatible materials, all of which are provided by Hubs. The most popular type of silicone is medical grade silicone; however, because it is a thermoset, the production of it requires specialized equipment and strict process control, which drives up the price.
ABS, polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) are examples of materials that are suitable for use in applications with less stringent requirements.
What advantages does injection molding have over other methods?
If you want to make a lot of the same part, you should consider using injection molding rather than one of the other manufacturing methods because it is more reliable and efficient. Injection Molding is capable of producing a vast assortment of different part geometries and dimensions.
How can a large number of parts be produced by injection molding in a quick and economical manner?
For the production of high volumes of identical plastic parts, injection molding is a cost-effective manufacturing method. After the Metal Injection Molding has been designed and the machine has been calibrated, it will be possible to produce parts rapidly and at a low cost.
