What is Plastic Injection Moulding?

Here at RP Technologies, we don’t just support big brands and household names. We also support newcomers to the world of plastic injection moulding. Sole traders, start-ups, and would-be entrepreneurs. During the course of this process, we often find ourselves being asked ‘What is Injection Moulding?’

Let’s take a closer look…..

Injection Moulding

Injection moulding is a manufacturing process used to produce parts or products in large quantities. It involves injecting molten material, typically a plastic, into a mould cavity.

It is commonly used in mass production processes to manufacture a variety of products, ranging from small plastic components to larger and more complex parts.

Injection moulding allows for precise and complex shapes to be produced with high efficiency and repeatability.

The benefits of injection moulding include high production rates, precise control over the size and shape of the parts, and the ability to produce complex and intricate designs. It is a highly cost-effective method for manufacturing large quantities of plastic parts with consistent quality and dimensional accuracy.

For a more detailed breakdown of the process itself, please read our technical article in our Knowledge Hub, ‘What is Injection Moulding?’

What Types of Parts Can Be Produced Using Injection Moulding?

Injection moulding is widely used in various industries, such as automotive, consumer goods, electronics, medical devices, and packaging.

It is a highly versatile manufacturing process where several types of parts can be produced. Some examples include:

Plastic parts: Injection moulding is commonly used to manufacture various plastic components, such as housings, casings, containers, and automotive parts.

Medical equipment: Injection moulding is used to produce parts for medical devices like syringes, valves, and surgical instruments.

Consumer products: Many everyday products like electronic enclosures, toys, kitchen utensils, and cosmetic containers are made using injection moulding.

Automotive components: Injection moulding is extensively used for producing automotive parts such as interior trims, dashboards, door handles, and bumpers.

Electronic components: Items like connectors, switches, circuit boards, computer keyboard keys, and smartphone parts are commonly manufactured through injection moulding.

Packaging materials: Injection moulding is used to make a wide variety of packaging materials such as bottles, caps, closures, containers, and preforms.

Industrial equipment: Parts like gears, seals, bearings, and industrial components are also made using this manufacturing process.

Medical implants: Some types of medical implants, like knee and hip replacements, are produced through injection moulding.

Electrical components: Various electrical parts like plugs, sockets, switches, and connectors are manufactured via injection moulding.

Aerospace components: Certain aerospace components, such as interior cabin parts, brackets, and clips, can be produced using this technique.

Injection moulding is a manufacturing process where parts are produced by injecting molten material into a mould. It can be employed to produce prototypes, or for mass production of identical items.

The Plastic Injection Moulding Process

The first stage of the injection moulding process is the creation of the mould tool itself. At RP Technologies, we only manufacture tooling in aluminium. Aluminium Tooling provides greater speed of manufacture, is a more cost-effective solution, and it is suited to low volume manufacturing.

Once the tool has been made, it is then placed into the injection moulding machine, where it can be prepared for the production cycle to begin.

Plastic polymers, or pellets, are fed into the machine, and begin a slow passage through the barrel where they are heated until they become molten. The pellets are injected into a clamped mould. 

Once the molten plastic has been injected into the mould, the cooling process begins immediately. The plastic solidifies into the shape of the mould, the clamp is released, and cooling begins.

As soon as this stage in the process has been completed, the cooled mould can open, and the solid plastic product can be ejected from the tool by purpose-built mechanisms known as ejector pins.

As soon as the ejection is complete, the clamp is shut again, ready for the cycle to begin once more.

Plastic Injection Moulding at RP Technologies

RP Technologies provides low-medium volume plastic injection moulding in any production intent polymer for prototype, pre-production and production volumes.

We’re the number one choice for many product designers and product engineers because we specialise in producing functional prototypes which are perfect for concept ideation and market testing. We’re also specialists in low-medium volume production runs, for components which need to be put through rigorous measurement testing and development. 

Our ‘Without Limits‘ philosophy sets us apart from our competitors. It’s another factor which makes us popular with product designers and engineers. Put simply, it means that, unlike many of our competitors, we manufacture exactly what has been designed, without making any changes to the original design intent. No matter how complex the final component is, we will find a way. 

We create great components which are true to their original concepts and designs. This makes us one of the most customer-friendly, design-centric plastic injection moulding companies out there.