Injection Molding

As one of the most adaptable polymer processing techniques, injection molding could transform plant-based meat production.

Plastics Engineering has conducted interviews throughout 2024 to obtain experts’ points of view on different topics related to the plastics industry.

Machine learning (ML) is revolutionizing quality control in manufacturing, enabling faster, smarter, and more efficient processes. By addressing the limitations of traditional methods, ML enhances defect detection, waste reduction, and overall reliability.

Borg-Warner Corporation introduced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), an amorphous engineering thermoplastic, to the market in 1954. Since then, ABS has become essential across industries for its unique blend of properties. Today, manufacturers produce over 6,000 grades, ensuring its adaptability to diverse applications.

Energy efficiency in mold design is rarely considered but cooling, the size of sprues and runners and how the part is ejected all have energy use implications that should be considered at the design stage. 

Controlling cooling, energy consumption, and downtime can help you reduce your cost per part using the resources you already have in your shop.

Plastics Engineering has curated the top 5 articles on injection molding for 2024, highlighting groundbreaking advancements and industry trends.

Thermal conductivity plays a key role in mold manufacturing, especially for industries requiring quick and efficient production cycles. High thermal conductivity allows faster cooling, which shortens production cycles and enhances efficiency.

The temperature that the polymer experiences upon entering the mold and during solidification directly affects several part properties, ranging from surface appearance to mechanical performance.

Industry 6.0 represents the next evolution in manufacturing, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous decision-making robots, known as infobots. The progression of injection molding technology and its integration with advanced robotics offer greater efficiency and sustainability.