Injection Molding

Injection molding simulation has already achieved a high level of precision. Industry leaders’ recent collaboration promises enhanced precision in material data, elevating manufacturing efficiency and quality standards.

Glass stands as a high-performance material vital across multiple fields, notably in optics, chemistry, and medical technology industries. However, conventional glass processing faces constraints, particularly in designing very small structures. The new process developed by Glas­somer in Freiburg, Germany, makes it possible to process transparent quartz glass in the plastic injection molding machine.

EssilorLuxottica has developed a pair of glasses that seamlessly incorporates open-ear hearing technology designed to aid consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss. The firm partnered on the project with its latest acquisition, Israeli startup Nuance Audio.

Honda has revamped one of its decades-old folding scooter concepts, but completely updated it to be electric, zero-emission, compact, easy to carry, and fun to ride. Introducing the Hondo Motocompacto, which won a “Best of Innovation” honor at CES 2024.

Specialized equipment that enhances skin recovery in chronic wounds usually needs biocompatible, sterilizable, and durable materials. For this reason, Vaporox developed the VHT-200 to foster revascularization and tissue growth in chronic skin wounds using a high-tech polycarbonate. Tailored for clinic and physician office use, the medical device required a robust material for its vaporizer component. Due to the device’s significance, technical support from the plastic supplier was a crucial factor in the decision-making process.

Dutch startup Squad Mobility BV displayed at CES 2024 what it calls “the world’s first solar buggy” –– a compact, affordable, plastic-bodied solar car that charges itself through an integrated solar panel on the roof.

Experts recognize reusability models in packaging as a solution to minimize waste. McKinsey & Company’s use-case scenarios indicate that there are still challenges to resolve before realizing and scaling up the benefits.

PLA flax pot plays a role in bioengineered plant system designed to act as a natural air-purification system in users’ homes. Injection molder M4Factory partnered with French startup Neoplants on the project.

Most companies would like to improve their sustainability but they do not know where to start and do not have a method of assessing their current status. Without knowing where you are starting from it is impossible to plot a route to where you want to get to. 

The first two articles in this series dwelt with the history of product design and the creative process that culminated in hypothetical new injection molded product sketches. The next challenge is to reduce the concept sketches to detailed piece-part drawings or CAD data bases. However, before starting that time consuming process it is highly desirable to determine whether or not the parts of the new product are moldable and what the molds and molded parts will cost.

The robustness of materials under cyclic loading is a critical factor often overshadowed by their tensile strength. Plastics, by nature, exhibit lower fatigue strength than their measured tensile strength, emphasizing the need for meticulous fatigue testing in material selection processes.

In an era dominated by Industry 4.0, where optimization and sustainability are paramount, companies are turning to cutting-edge technologies to enhance their product offerings. Among these technologies, 3D printing has emerged as a transformative force, addressing the needs of rapid prototyping and end-use part production.