Why is Injection Molding Still the King in a World that Talks 3D Printing All the Time?

Plastic injection molding remains the most widely used mass production methods despite great strides in the development of 3D printing and other manufacturing techniques. Although advancements in 3D printing are constantly being talked about, the process till has a long way to go if it is to make a run for injection molding’s money as the most efficient means of mass producing parts. 3D printing, however, has its place in product development cycles, being an excellent method for producing prototypes and working models of parts and products. Just the same, it will be long before it can knock plastic injection molding off its place as the most widely used manufacturing technique.

Injection molding is a technology and process that involves the feeding of plastic material into a barrel or a heated chamber where it is mixed before being led into a uniquely designed mold cavity in the shape of the final product. The material takes the form of the mold cavity and then hardens into the desired product. This technique produces an accurate reproduction of precise shapes, regardless of how detailed or simple the product or part may be. What’s even more advantageous is that plastic injection molding can be used to fabricate nearly all types of plastic parts as well as process different kinds of plastics.

Injection molding also offers the benefit of speed, allowing fast production of parts, depending on the complexity of the design. a typical run takes a mere 15to 30 seconds in between each cycle time, which means quick fabrication of parts, especially for high-yield production requirements. Plastic injection molding also helps minimize labor costs as the equipment and machines used in the process are mostly self-gating, which means many process are automated for ease of use and reduced chances of error, while streamlining production and minimizing supervision requirements.