Performance Plastics – Factors that Determine Injection Mold ROI

May 25, 2023  |  ,

Injection molds are one of the most significant investments a manufacturer can make.  The lifespan of the injection mold depends on several factors; the design and construction of the mold, the type of material being molded, the operating conditions, and the maintenance practices employed.  Generally, high-quality molds are built to be durable and last for a significant period.  Below are some factors that affect the longevity of injection molds:

  • Operating Conditions – The conditions in which your injection mold operates have a corresponding effect on the lifespan of your mold. Will the mold be used in dirty or harsh environmental conditions?  Or is it run in a clean, sanitary environment? Dirt can take a toll on your mold.
  • Time between production runs – In general, the less time between runs the shorter the lifespan of your mold will be. The result of less time between runs is that molds may be less likely to get full mold maintenance between each cycle.
  • Cycle times – Longer, slower cycle times can be less taxing on your molds, which in turn may help them last longer. The length of your cycle time is largely dependent on elements of your design, including wall thickness, as well as design complexity.
  • Injection mold material – The materials used to create your mold will also play a role in its longevity. Aluminum molds, for instance, won’t last as long as their steel counterparts. The materials being molded also play a role in longevity, as some materials will be harder on molds than others.

It’s important to mention that the lifespan of an injection mold is not solely determined by the number of cycles but also by the overall condition and functionality of the mold.  Factors such as wear, damage, and changes in the molding material or production requirements can necessitate repairs.

Performance Plastics are experts in precision injection molding.  We have developed proprietary tooling, unique metallurgy equipment, and processes that produce custom-molded plastics such as fluoropolymers, Ultem®, PEEK, and Torlon®.  We leverage our high-performance polymer expertise and technology to develop thermoplastic compounds and techniques to maximize your mold and provide the best ROI on your mold investment.

 

/by

Performance Plastics – Experts in Direct Gating Technology

June 30, 2021  |  , , ,

 

For decades, Performance Plastics has been delivering the highest quality custom plastic injection molding solutions in the industry for our customers. We take a highly specialized and consultative approach, working closely with our customers to develop the solutions needed to solve the most complicated issues.

Direct gating is a molding technique designed to drastically reduce the material waste associated with runner systems. This is critically important when working with sheer sensitive, expensive materials such as fluoropolymers (FEP, PFA, PVDF) and PEEK.

Direct gating is ideally suited for deep draw parts and/or small parts like medical components.  The technique saves resin and typically cuts cycle time by up to 50%.  In addition, it eliminates the need for downstream processing such as surface finishing or grinding.  The part quality achieved by direct gating is in many cases improved over parts manufactured with a cold runner.

We work with design engineers to create better products.  Direct gating is an advanced technique that increases value and provides advantages for new, innovative concepts.  Our hybrid direct gate technology eliminates the runner waste associated with conventional molding, significantly reducing material use and per part cost. Polymers are injected directly into the part mold eliminating the need for runners.

Performance Plastics excels at intricate injection molded components needing some combination of high temperature, low surface adhesion, chemical and organic resistance in a package with complex geometries and/or tight tolerances.

For more information on how Performance Plastics can solve your tight tolerance molding challenges, please contact Rich Reed, VP Sales & Marketing at 513.321.8404 or rreed@performanceplastics.com.

/by

Direct Gating Makes Complex Medical Components A Reality

December 2, 2020  |  ,

At Performance Plastics, our primary job is to facilitate designs that create better products. Our direct gating technology does just that by increasing the value of existing products and providing advantages for new, innovative concepts. Our hybrid direct gate technology eliminates the runner waste associated with conventional molding, significantly reducing material use and per part cost. Polymers are injected directly into the part mold eliminating the need for runners.

Direct gating is suited for deep draw parts such as pipettes and syringe barrels or for small parts like medical infusion components.  This saves both resin and typically cuts cycle time by up to 50%.  In addition, it eliminates the need for downstream processing of the cold runner, which in medical applications can not typically be used as regrind.  The part quality achieved by direct gating is in many cases improved over parts manufactured with a cold runner.

Part quality is always critical in the medical industry due to safety concerns.  With medical parts, sharp edges or pronounced gate vestiges can potentially tear latex gloves or even skin.  In the medical industry, even seemingly small improvements in quality can make a significant difference in everyday applications and safety.

Performance Plastics excels at helping customers create intricate injection molded components that can benefit from a combination of high temperature, low surface adhesion, chemical and organic resistance in a package with complex geometries and/or tight tolerances.

Performance Plastics has developed a number of industry leading technologies enabling us to injection mold intricate, thin walled components out of some of the most sheer sensitive materials such as fluoropolymers.  This is critically important when working with sheer sensitive, expensive materials such as fluoropolymers (FEP, PFA, PVDF) and PEEK.

Performance Plastics Ltd offers high-performance injection molding thermoplastic expertise featuring tight tolerances and thin walled part geometries.  The industries we serve include aerospace/defense, medical and industrial applications. For more information, please visit our website at www.performanceplastics.com or sales@performanceplastics.com.

/by