Plastic gears used to be found in very limited applications due to the uncertainty around their response to moisture, temperature, chemicals and certain other elements. Understanding the role of gate design is essential in injection molding. The location and type of gate influence material flow, part strength, and appearance. Proper gate design can reduce defects and improve overall part quality. Overmolding is a specialized injection molding process where a second material is molded over a substrate, providing added features like grip, cushioning, or sealing. During the demolding process, the mold's precision in opening and closing is essential to prevent product deformation and flash, enhancing the appearance and lifespan of the final part.

Can You Injection Mold Thermosets

Plastic Molded Concepts is a U.S. plastic molding company that uniquely specializes in molding with engineered resins. We provide all-inclusive plastic molding services, including post-molding operations. Glass-reinforced plastics improve the tensile strength and rigidity of parts but may require special considerations in mold design due to their abrasive nature. In the PMC facility, Sawyer picks a part from the press and puts it on a computer numerical control (CNC) machine for holes to be drilled, detects when it is finished and places the part in a box. Sawyer waits until there are exactly 160 parts in the box, then pauses for an operator to come pick it up. The operator gives Sawyer a push to signal that it can continue, and the process repeats. If your plastic injection molder suggests a particular gate size or location that you do not feel is optimal it’s important to seek out a second opinion from another plastic injection molding expert.

What Is A Typical Output Rate In Injection Molding

While overmolding is a versatile manufacturing process, it
is important to consider and understand the requirements needed for every part
created. Overmolding material compatibility is the most important consideration
because if the materials used are not chemically and thermally compatible, the
product may be deformed and have poor performance.  Materials for Overmolding Flash occurs when excess material escapes between the mold halves, and it can be minimized by ensuring the mold is properly clamped and aligned. Have you ever had an injection molded part that didn’t live
up to its’ use in the environment for which it was intended?  After several attempts to correct the
problems did you give up and choose a metal instead?  Back pressure during the plasticizing phase ensures uniform melting and mixing of the material within the barrel, which is critical for maintaining consistent part quality, especially in applications requiring uniform material properties. Find out if plastic injection molding is right for your gear manufacturing needs by contacting our experts at PMC today.