Scientific Molding/Injection Molding Solutions

Increasing traffic in transfer tooling from molders that have shuttered operations or are unable to successfully produce parts is driving interest in a long-established but under-utilized diagnostic technique for injection molding.

Most molders work with two parameters for establishing second-stage pressure. But within Scientific Molding there are actually four.

One of the more prominent trends in processing is the need for higher plastic pressures to mold parts.

Make sure the designers you work with understand that there are limits to what processing can do.

Part of optimizing any molding process is determining the second-stage injection, or pack and hold, parameters.

Three questions about drying plastics that everyone should know how to answer.

The reason you dry certain plastics is to get the moisture out. But why does the moisture have to be taken out before processing?

A U.S. custom injection molder that’s hiring?

In the last two issues, we started defining some basic tests to ensure your injection molding machine is working properly.

Electric injection machines are becoming more and more prevalent, and as they hit the shop floor, you are responsible for making them produce parts with dimensions, appearance, and performance to client specifications.

For most injection molding jobs, cooling is 95% of the cycle time.

Processors face a multitude of challenges whenever they approach an injection molding machine.

Making a proper short shot is an important aspect of practicing “scientific molding.” Upon startup of almost any mold, the first step is to make a short shot.

Here’s another trick of the trade that will make your life easier.

Drying is complicated.

Of the hundreds of variables involved in injection molding, clamping mechanisms and platens often get less attention than they deserve.

The appearance of visual defects on parts such as cracking, crazing, grooves, ripples, wave marks, and flaky brittleness often indicates more than an aesthetic problem.

Weld or knit lines are perhaps the most common and difficult injection molding defect to eliminate.

Material sticking in the mold can be a production killer, whether it is the sprue or the formed part in the cavity.

Black specks, streaks, or poor color mixing are the most common problems that mar the appearance of cosmetic injection molded parts.

Flashing of a part can occur for several reasons—from variations in the process or material to tooling trouble.