Overview

Injection molding is a manufacturing process that involves injecting a molten plastic into a mold and allowing it to cool and solidify. The mold is a hollowed-out form that has the shape of the desired finished product. Whereas extrusion produces a continuous shape to any desired length, injection molding creates a part with the specific shape of the mold.

The process starts with a thermoplastic or thermosetting material being fed into an injection molding machine. The material is heated to a liquid state and then injected into the mold under high pressure. The mold is then closed and held under pressure for a specific period of time, allowing the material to cool and solidify. Once the material has hardened, the mold is opened, and the finished product is ejected.

Injection molding is used to produce a wide variety of products, including plastic parts for automobiles, appliances, and consumer electronics, as well as toys, containers, and packaging. It is a versatile process that can be used to produce both simple and complex shapes, and it is suitable for producing large quantities of identical products at a low cost per unit. It also allows a high degree of precision and repeatability in the final product.