Understanding the Methods Used to Manufacturing Plastic

No matter how you choose to ignore, plastic is an integral part of everyone’s life, no matter business or personal. It is found in product components, packaging and even in the shipping containers. When it comes to businesses, plastic is used in manufacturing and packaging purposes. Understanding the major processes used when it comes to plastic manufacturing turns out to be helpful in making business decisions. Here are some of the methods used in manufacturing plastic.

1. Injection molding

Injection molding is deemed to be helpful in the mass production of products like cell phone stands, toys and the list is endless. This process involves melting of resin pellets present inside the injection machine with the help of a heated barrel. The plastic is moved forward with the help of an auger and guarantees an even mix of melted plastic. This machine that carries the melted plastic into a metal mold. Then the mold is filled to give a solid plastic part. Many processes include thermoplastics that can be melted and cooled many times that constricts material waste.

2. Extrusion molding

It is similar to injection molding. The plastic is melted by the machine. But, rather than the mold being filled with plastic, the machine presses the melted plastic via a die that renders a permanent shape to the plastic. This process is suitable in the production for a variety of products which comprise seals, pipes, doorframes. This process can include either multiple-melt thermoplastics or thermoset plastics that can only handle a single melting cycle.

3. Blow molding

There are several variations of this process. The main process includes the production of a parison which is a hollow, pre-shaped length of melted thermoplastic. A mold is closed around the parison. Air pressure lets the hollow plastic to enlarge into the mold shape leaving a hollow interior. Variations comprise injection, extrusion, and stretch blow. Blow molding is used for making bottles and other containers.

4. Rotational or roto molding

It is an alternative method for producing hollow objects. In this process, the plastic powder is infused into the mold before heating. The closed mold rotates which lets the powder to coat the interior entirely with the mold. The heat subjected melts the plastic into a single layer that shapes the mold cavity and leaving the final product hollow. Learn more about products made with roto molding here.