Plastic Injection Moulding
New Zealand Plastic Injection Moulding
Plastic injection moulding in New Zealand is a significant industry, with approximately one third of all plastics being processed by injection moulding. In this article we take you through plastic injection moulding in New Zealand, covering what it is, how the process works and which products are manufactured in this way.
What is plastic injection moulding?
Plastic injection moulding refers to the manufacturing technique in which parts are made from plastic after it has been injected into a mould. The molten plastic is injected at high pressure into a mould, which is the inverse of the desired shape of the product. The mould is generally made from aluminium or steel, and requires the technical expertise of a design engineer to ensure the part is made to specifications; if the mould is incorrect, it follows that the part will also be incorrect.
What equipment is used?
Equipment used in New Zealand plastic injection moulding includes:
- Injection moulding machine: an injection moulding machine is essential for the process, and has two main functions: injection and clamping. The machine must clamp the mould in which the parts are shaped; the pressure at which the mould is clamped varies depending on the strength of the machine and the desired application. As a rule, machines used in NZ plastic injection moulding will be more expensive as the amount of clamping force needed increases. These machines can be electric, hydraulic or a hybrid of the two. Most plastic injection moulding machines in New Zealand are hydraulic, with electric systems being more expensive to install.
- The mould: moulds used in New Zealand are typically made out of steel or aluminium. Steel moulds are generally more expensive to construct and will last longer, allowing a greater number of parts to be constructed. Aluminium moulds are not so resilient, but are much less expensive to build initially. It takes great expertise to construct a mould, as even the slightest imperfection will cause all manufactured parts to be defective.
- The plastic: different types of plastics are used in New Zealand plastic injection moulding, ranging from polystyrene to PVC and polypropylene (yes, it's used in much more than thermal underwear!).
Browse suppliers of New Zealand industrial equipment for your requirements.
The injection moulding process
The basic process involved in plastic injection moulding involves four steps:
1. Clamping: the mould is clamped shut.
2. Injection: the heated plastic is injected into the mould
3. Cooling: the moulded plastic is cooled, normally by water-based channels
4. Ejection: the mould is opened and the cooled plastic ejected.
The raw materials used in plastic injection moulding are usually in pellet form and fed into a 'hopper', which melts them by heat and shearing forces before injecting them into the mould. There are many things that can go wrong in the plastic injection moulding process, and both the mould itself and the moulding process may need extensive testing and refinement before defect free parts can be produced.
What kinds of products are made using plastic injection moulding in New Zealand?
All kinds of plastic finished goods are manufactured using this technique, as there are a large number of applications for injection moulding in New Zealand. Manufacturing covers a wide spectrum of industries: automotive, agriculture, hardware, marine, electrical appliances and more. Some examples of products are:
- Shower heads
- Safety helmets
- Bottle caps
- Milk crates
- Telephone cases
- Buckets
Who carries out plastic injection moulding in New Zealand?
There are a variety of New Zealand plastic injection moulders in New Zealand, ranging from plastics factories to industrial manufacturers, manufacturing engineering firms and others. Many companies will be prepared to go through an entirely customised process depending on what the customer is looking for, including help with design as well as manufacture. If the product you desire is feasible, there will most likely be a New Zealand plastic injection moulder who can help make it a reality.
Looking for more information? Find New Zealand plastic injection moulding in the NZS.com directory.
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