Plastic Injection molding can be heavy with terminology that is specific to the industry. We de-mistify the communication process by defining 10 common terms and 10...not so common terms, related to the plastic injection molding manufacturing process! Learn more at http://www.greenleaf.biz
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Custom Plastic Injection Molding Terms You Need To Know!
1. 20 Common and Uncommon
Plastic Injection Molding Terms
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2. 20 Common and Uncommon
Plastic Injection Molding Terms
Learn the Plastic Injection Molding “lingo” to better
communicate with engineers, project managers and mold
technicians.
It is our pleasure to produce the annual guide to over 200
injection molding industry terms. Download the entire ebook
here.
To be fair, that’s a lot of words, so we asked our mold techs to
select 10 of the most common. Combine the slightly more
obscure terms to the list of common ones, and you’re ready for
a factory tour and maybe even a project design discussion!
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3. 10 Injection Molding Terms
Mold Techs Use Daily
BURN – When the air temperature inside the mold exceeds
the flash point of the plastic, a “burn mark” is made. If
something is “burned” in molding, it shows evidence of
thermal decomposition through some discoloration, distortion
and localized destruction of the surface of the plastic.
EJECTOR CONFIRMATION SWITCH – A switch used to
prevent mold damage by detecting if the ejector plate does
not fully return to home position.
FLASH – Extra plastic attached to a molded part along the
parting line or other shut-off locations in the mold.
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4. 10 Injection Molding Terms
Mold Techs Use Daily
GUIDE PINS – Devices that maintain proper alignment of
the core and cavity while the mold closes. These are also
called “leader pins.”
JETTING – A turbulent flow of resin from an undersized
gate, or thin section, into a thicker mold section. This is
opposed to a laminar flow of material progressing radially
from a gate to the extremities of the cavity.
KNIT LINE – A mark on a molded piece made by the
meeting of two flow fronts during molding. It can also be
called a “weld line.”
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5. 10 Injection Molding Terms
Mold Techs Use Daily
NOZZLE TIP (REMOVABLE) – A replaceable tip that installs into
the end of the molding machine’s nozzle. Nozzle tips must be
matched to the mold surface (for sealing off high injection
pressures), and to the orifice of the mold sprue.
PLASTICIZE – To soften a material and make it plastic or
moldable either by means of a plasticizer or the application of heat.
PURGING – Cleaning one color or type of material from the
cylinder of an injection molding machine by forcing it out with a
“purge compound,” or with the new color/material to be used in
subsequent production.
SHORT SHOT – A molded part produced when the mold has not
been filled completely.
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6. 10 Obscure Injection Molding
Terms You Should Know
AGING – Refers to the change of a material with time under
defined environmental conditions, leading to either
improvement, or the deterioration of certain properties.
CAST – To form a “plastic” object by pouring a fluid
monomer-polymer solution into an open mold where it
finishes polymerizing.
CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS – Materials that allow a current
or charge to travel through it. Conductive plastics are hybrid
polymers that are electrically conductive or static dissipative.
These plastics are engineered, using additives such as
copper, silver, aluminum, carbon black and carbon fibers, to
have conductivity characteristics.
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7. 10 Obscure Injection Molding
Terms You Should Know
CURE – To change the physical properties of a material by
chemical reaction to make it more stable & functional. The process
may include condensation, polymerization, or vulcanization.
ELASTICITY – The property of a material by virtue of which it
tends to “recover” to its original size and shape… after
deformation.
FLAME RATING – An internationally accepted plastics
“flammability” testing standard created by Underwriters
Laboratories.
INSERT – An integral part of a plastic molding consisting of metal,
or other material, which may be molded into position or may be
pressed into the molding after the molding is completed.
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8. 10 Obscure Injection Molding
Terms You Should Know
LIM (LIQUID INJECTION MOLDING) – A process used to produce
silicone parts using an injection molding machine. The silicone is a
thermoset resin, and is injected as a two-part liquid into a heated
mold where the silicone rubber is solidified (vulcanized).
NOTCH SENSITIVITY – The extent to which the sensitivity of a
material to fracture is increased by the presence of a surface in
homogeneity such as a notch, a sudden change in section, a
crack, or a scratch. Low notch sensitivity is usually associated with
ductile materials, and high notch sensitivity with brittle materials.
PERMANENT SET – The increase in length, expressed in a % of
the original length, by which an elastic material fails to return to
original length… after being stressed for a standard period of time.
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9. About GreenLeaf Industries
GreenLeaf Industries is an ISO 9001 registered
manufacturer that consistently adheres to all its
standards to provide our clients with consistent,
reliable, quality automotive and industrial plastic
parts. We are an American injection molding
company, unafraid to compete in the world market
and determined to succeed. Established in 1999, we
take pride in our high-quality craftsmanship and
superior customer service.
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