Basics of Injection Molding

Basics of Plastic Injection Molding

Whether you’re new to plastics, trying to source your next project, or an engineer, in order to fully grasp injection molding, you must first understand the basics of how it all works. In this post, we’re going to attempt to make it as simple as possible to help you learn what all goes into molding plastic parts.

What is Injection Molding?

Injection molding is the most common manufacturing process for manufacturing plastic parts.  The process involves designing the product, tooling up a mold, and then the manufacturing process of melting plastic resin pellets and using pressure to inject them into a mold. (more…)

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fastening design banner

Plastic Clip and Fastener Designs

Lightweighting continues to remain a top priority for automotive manufacturers in order to help them meet strict fuel-efficiency requirements or to help get them one step closer towards getting the most mileage out EVs battery.  One way tiered suppliers are going about this is by redesigning traditional metal clamps with well designed injection-molded clips and fasteners.

Design engineering a plastic part to replace without compromising performance requires expertise in design, material, tooling, injection molding, and validation testing.  In this post, we’re going to explore some of the designs that have become the go-to for tier-1s and OEMs over the years.

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Automotive trends with plastics

Automotive Trends: Converting Metal Brackets to Plastic Clips

With the rise of Electric Vehicles and more demanding fuel efficiency regulation being mandated, is metal becoming a thing of the past?

Plastic is increasingly being used in place of metal for many different purposes. Specifically, plastic clips are replacing metal brackets used on automotive fluid routing assemblies as mounting supports for HVAC and brake lines. Plastic clips are perfect alternatives in these automotive applications and many more.

Why are manufacturers looking to convert more brackets to plastic?

  • Plastics cost less than metal and less costly to manufacture
  • Ability to manufacture more complex designs
  • Weight reduction

Plastic clips have multiple benefits. In the following, we discuss the top advantages of replacing metal brackets with plastic clips. (more…)

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