Injection moulding is perhaps the most common moulding method and is capable of producing both simple and complex shapes in large quantities. In addition, it can cater for a wide range of plastics including ABS, nylon, HDPE, polypropylene, polycarbonate and many more.
The injection moulding process involves injecting molten plastic into the cavity of a mould tool. The cavity represents the required 3D profile of the part in question and when molten material is injected into the mould, it should fill the cavity and adopt its shape. The material is then left to cool and harden, before the moulded components are retrieved by opening the two halves of the mould.
Injection moulding is relied upon for its precision and its relatively fast production times; however, the manufacture of the required mould tool is often expensive and therefore, it is best suited to high-volume production of smaller components. In addition, secondary operations such as machining may be needed, in order to improve the surface finish and to satisfy additional design requirements.
