When it comes to creation of numerous consumer products in today’s world, few materials are more common or versatile than plastic. Plastic is the top material for numerous industry areas, and it’s so widely-used that there are actually several different processes used to mold and form it to the desired shapes and characteristics.
At EnviroTech Custom Injection Molders, we’re proud to specialize in one particular such process: Custom plastic injection molding, an area in which we provide comprehensive and varied services ranging from design engineering to bulk injection molding and much more. A process that’s similar to injection molding in some ways, but also different in a few other notable ones, is known as compression molding – for informational and practical purposes, this two-part blog series will go over the similarities and differences between plastic injection molding and compression molding, including many applications where the former will be preferable for your needs.
Method of Plastic Shaping
Put simply, the primary difference between injection molding and compression molding for plastic is the way the plastic is shaped and molded during the process. Injection molding, as the name suggests, involves heating the plastic material and then injecting into a mold cavity, which allows it to be shaped in virtually any way you desire. Compression molding, on the other hand, refers to a process where extruded plastic material is melted and cut, then inserted into a cavity and molded using hydraulic pressure.
We’ll get into some more detailed pros and cons of each later on, but one primary practical difference comes in the realm of volume and detail. Injection molding allows for molding even incredibly complex shapes and changing sizes, while compression molding is not as precise but may be useful for high-volume applications that don’t require as much detail.
Benefits of Injection Molding
Not only is injection molding a highly detailed and precise process, it’s also one where costs can be kept very low. Products of various shapes and sizes can easily be produced, including projects that require high degrees of customization.
On top of this, injection molding is known for its reliability. Its products are strong, durable and uniform where desired, and is one of the go-to methods for plastic manufacturers.
Common Injection Molding Applications
Because of how versatile it is, injection molding is used across numerous applications. It can be found in food and beverage packaging, aerospace components, avionics, window and door items, surgical equipment, engineering prototypes, medical lab testing components, encapsulations and numerous other products requiring a combination of strength and precise qualities.
For more on the differences between custom injection molding and compression molding for plastic, or to learn about any of our plastic injection molding services, speak to the staff at EnviroTech Custom Injection Molders today.
