1. Customer Consultation
The first step involves contacting customers to gather information regarding product specifications, processes, and quantities to be processed. Customers typically provide product drawings to the plastic contract manufacturing company, which then establishes task requirements based on the processing needs.
2. Mold Design
(I) Equipment Selection
This stage requires a thorough understanding of the glue feeding method, injection machine model, plastic material properties, and mold structure type. These factors help in determining the appropriate injection molding process and selecting the necessary molding equipment.
(II) Specific Mold Structure Plan
The plastic contract manufacturing company designs the mold based on various parameters, including injection capacity, clamping pressure, injection pressure, mold installation size, ejector device specifications, nozzle hole diameter, gate sleeve positioning ring size, mold thickness, and template stroke.
(III) Mold Structure Design
Key components of the mold structure design include:
1. Technical specifications of the injection molding machine
2. Process performance of plastics
3. Casting system, including runners and gates
4. Molding parts
5. Common structural parts
6. Sliding mechanism
7. Ejector mechanism
8. Mold temperature control
9. Exhaust system
10. Mold material selection
3. Mold Manufacturing
The mold manufacturing process includes several essential procedures:
(i) Programming and Electrode Removal
Initial programming and the removal of any electrodes are conducted.
(ii) Mechanical Processing
Common mechanical processing technologies used in plastic contract manufacturing companies include CNC machining, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), wire cutting, and deep hole drilling. The mold base and materials are usually in a rough state and require extensive mechanical processing to achieve the desired specifications.
(iii) Bench Assembly
The bench assembly process is vital in mold making and encompasses fit mold assembly, turning, milling, grinding, and drilling.
(iv) Mold Saving and Polishing
After CNC and EDM processing, mold parts undergo saving and polishing using tools such as sandpaper, oilstone, and diamond paste to ensure high-quality finishes before assembly.
4. Mold Inspection and Trial
Once the mold is manufactured, it undergoes rigorous inspection and trial runs to ensure it meets quality standards.
5. Mold Modification and Repair
Following the mold trial, any necessary modifications are made based on the trial results. Additionally, if the engineer confirms the structure of the plastic parts, adjustments are made accordingly.
6.Plastic Injection Molding Services
The actual injection molding process takes place, where the prepared molds are filled with molten plastic to create the final products.
7. Daily Mold Maintenance
Due to the high-temperature and high-pressure conditions molds operate under, along with prolonged exposure to air, rusting is a common issue. Therefore, plastic contract manufacturing companies must perform regular mold maintenance, including applying anti-rust oil and grease to the mold surfaces when not in use.
Conclusion
The injection molding process is a complex yet efficient method used by plastic contract manufacturing companies to produce high-quality plastic parts. By following these detailed steps, manufacturers can ensure optimal production and longevity of molds, ultimately leading to superior product quality.
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