Why is automotive mould tooling Better?

Injection molding has numerous applications for automotive manufacturing, extremely for delivering robust mass volume components. Though mold tooling and injection molding can be slightly costly, the long-term expense is low, making it more economical. 

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The injection mold methods are used in the automotive industry to manufacture high-quality and robust under-the-hood components, interior components, and exterior components for automobiles. To meet the current medical-grade plastic auto part demand, there are many automotive and medical molding companies worldwide. 

History Of Automotive Injection Molding

Automobiles were practically built of metal in the initial years of the automobile industry, and they used to be bulky and awfully heavy. Nonetheless, as the automobile sector expanded, the need for more productive and affordable manufacturing techniques increased. 

In the s and s, the automotive industry developed, and plastics usage exploded. As a result, automakers started testing the production of plastic car parts. The foremost molding machine was designed in , and plastic injection molding was created in the late 19th century. 

Injection molding was originally employed to develop aesthetic components in the s. However, in the late s and early s, plastic injection molding soon replaced other production procedures for creating molds for various auto parts, such as headlights, dashboards, instrument clusters, and door panels. Additional components like plastic fenders and bumpers are also made.

The foremost plastic structural car components were introduced by automakers in the initial s. These parts are light in weight compared to metal parts, which enables better fuel economy and more affordable production. Currently, many reliable automobile part manufacturers use injection molding as the primary production technique for producing plastic car parts.

Why Use Plastic Parts In the Automotive Industry?

Injection molding is better than other manufacturing techniques as it can create products with intricate forms, high-quality surface finishes, precise tolerances, etc. Besides, manufacturers utilize injection molding as a highly adaptable technology to develop several vehicle parts, including interior and external body parts.

Additionally, plastic injection molding is a scalable procedure that allows for the bulk production of thousands of similar parts. Almost one-third of the 30,000 components in modern cars are made of plastic. In comparison to metals, plastic is substantially lighter and more cost-effective. 

The automotive and medical components manufacturing technology reduces product development time and manufacturing time. Plastic materials can be tinted with colorant additives to produce the desired color for the application. In addition, the ability of thermoplastics to cooperate with metal connectors makes them the perfect choice for components that call for non-plastic inserts.

10 Benefits Of Injection Molding For Automotive Applications

Automotive injection molding service has become common in the sector of the automotive industry, where precision, safety, and efficiency of the parts are more important. Below are the major advantages of injection molding for various automotive applications. 

1. Produce Complex Parts With Accuracy

Injection molding is a popular choice among vehicle makers due to its high level of accuracy and reproducibility. Injection molding can assist businesses in producing highly complicated, intricate plastic components in significant quantities with no issues if the correct tool design and a scientific molding approach to process optimization are used.

Screw precession is a technique used by injection molding machines to infiltrate molten plastic into a mold chamber. This method enables the production of complicated and extremely detailed components. Automobile molding machines are capable of creating components with highly precise dimensional tolerances.

2. Highly Durable

Modern lightweight thermoplastics can resist the harshest environments even better than metal parts. The resilience and durability of plastics have significantly enhanced over time. To build intricate injection-molded applications, there are more than 25,000 design materials to pick from. It is also possible to develop high-end blends and hybrids that satisfy highly particular component specifications and qualities using automotive and medical device injection molding processes. 

3. Lightweight And Various Colors

In several industries, OEMs employ lightweight injection-molded plastic products. In contrast to using metal parts, utilizing plastic components helps lessen weight. Currently, metal parts can be replaced with high-performance, lightweight, and highly resilient thermoplastics. In addition, there will be no difference in terms of durability; only the plastic parts will be lighter. 

By coordinating additives, polymers, and biocompatibility to get the desired coloring, the molding procedure can produce components that are clear or in a variety of colors. Also, overmolding can be utilized to achieve this when numerous colors are required in a single product.

4. Enhances Flexibility

The automotive industry uses injection molded plastic parts because they provide producers more flexibility. They facilitate the part design specifications for manufactured cars. For example, the creation of plastic components with high precision and a variety of geometries is made possible by the use of diverse polymers in injection molding. As a result, a variety of components can be fabricated using this approach for interior, exterior, or under-the-hood parts. 

5. Better Surface Finishes

Smooth and error-free components with better surface finishes are produced through injection molding. The surface finishes produced by the plastic injection molding manufacturing procedure depend on the physical and chemical characteristics of the plastic material that is used. The method offers a variety of treatment options, including engraving, matte finishes, and unusual textures.

Manufacturers retain a broad range of finish options like matte, rough, and glossy when making components with plastic injection molding, which are directly applied to the auto parts mold rather than the product. However, depending on the type of plastic used, the final surface roughness differs.

6. Various Materials

A large variety of flexible, rigid, and rubber plastics are compatible with the injection molding process, which is one of the major benefits for the automotive industry. In the automobile sector, manufacturers utilize a wide variety of distinct polymers for various uses, including polypropylene, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylic, acetal, nylon, polyethylene, polycarbonate, etc. 

7. High Efficiency And Quick Production

High efficiency and quick production are some reasons why injection molding is preferred in the automotive industry. First off, compared to other techniques, the injection molding procedure is quick, and its high production output rate makes it even more efficient. There is only a little gap between each molding cycle, depending on the complexness and size of the mold. Many injection molded parts can be created in a given amount of time with fast cycle times.

8. Cost Reduction

Creating metal parts is more expensive and uses more effort than injection-molded plastics. Because of that, components made of plastic injection molding have become standard practice in the automobile industry. The plastic components are affordable to create, lightweight, and long-lasting. In addition to that, high-quality vehicle parts may be mass-produced via injection molding at a very cost-effective price.

Elevated repeatability is another benefit of the injection molding method for creating plastic parts. This is important in the automobile sector, where it is necessary to consistently make similar components. As this method is extremely scalable and there are lots of materials available, injection molding also aids in cost reduction.

9. High Precision And Short Production Time

Precision-molded plastic parts can be produced in large quantities using current high-speed injection molding machines. The injection molding method is the best option and offers tolerances as close as +/-0. for the creation of plastic pieces like gears and connectors that need high-precision manufacturing.

Various injection mold engineers&#; skill sets can assist OEMs in attaining a quicker product development cycle. By doing this, manufacturers are guaranteed shorter manufacturing cycles and timely delivery of error-free products.

10. Consistent Production

The ability to repeatedly produce identical parts is crucial in the automotive business. As robust metal molds are typically used in plastic injection molding, the finished product that emerges from the mold will be practically the same. The injection molding in clean room is done strictly considering the quality and durability tests. 

To manufacture complicated plastic parts with high output while maintaining tight tolerances, a reliable, repeatable procedure is necessary. The injection molding production procedure is supported by an injection molder&#;s steady advancement techniques and incorporates cutting-edge technology. It helps assure steady quality by consistently utilizing the same mold for each part.

Applications For Automotive Injection Molding

Plastics are used in a variety of places in vehicles like vans, cars, and other motorized vehicles. They are utilized for oil gauges, battery casings, and cylinder head coverings under the hood. Automotive plastics are also used to make car interiors. They are located on the exterior of the vehicle in the bumpers, fenders, headlight housings, etc. Door panels, grills, and handles are examples of additional exterior components.

Other parts of the car&#;s interior have been plastic injection molded, which include air vents, door handles, dashboard plates, glove boxes, radios, sun visors, sat nav screens, etc. Foam seating pads can be made from some polymers via the injection molding method. In addition to that, cosmetic parts for the automobile can be added using plastic to improve its design. Many top-notch auto part manufacturers offer one-stop auto injection mold service for quick and easy production. 

Materials Used In Plastic Injection Molding Automotive Parts

To fulfill the continually changing requirements of the automotive industry, plastics used in automobiles have the ability to acquire new qualities. There are a wide variety of plastics that can be utilized for injection molding, including approximately 85,000 commercial plastic material possibilities from 45 polymer families. Polymers can be generally divided into thermosets and thermoplastics categories. Material selection is followed by experts to choose the right plastic material for the desired application. 

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) 

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is created by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile and is mostly preferred due to its affordable manufacturing procedure. It performs admirably in both high and low temperatures and has excellent insulating qualities. This material is used in vehicle body elements like wheel covers, dashboards, etc. 

• Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC)

Poly-Vinyl Chloride has a reputation for being flexible and flame resistant. It retains excellent thermal stability and a very low lead level. Electrical cable sheathing, automobile doors, and instrument panels are all made using it.

• Polyamide

High mechanical strength, high water absorption, and rigidity are all characteristics of polyamide material. Polyamide is known for its high resilience, abrasion resistance, and durability. Cams, gears, waterproof coatings, and bearings are just a few automobile parts where this material is used. 

• Polyethylene

Some of the characteristics of polyethylene are low density, high impact resistance, and good toughness. It is moisture-resistant, very affordable, and helpful in several thermoplastics processing techniques. 

• Polypropylene

This saturated polymer polypropylene is derived from the monomer propylene. It is immune to bases, acids, and chemical cleaners. This material is used to make bumpers, gas cans, wire insulation, carpet fibers, chemical storage tanks, etc. 

• Polystyrene

Polystyrene is known for its remarkable chemical and electrical resistance. It is simple to create, extremely elastic, and softens when heated past the point at which glass transitions. It is utilized to make buttons, display bases, automobile fittings, etc. 

• Polyoxymethylene

Thermoplastic polyoxymethylene is renowned for its superior dimensional stability, strong heat resistance, and creep resistance. High-performance parts, including interior and exterior trim, gears, and fuel systems, are made using this material. 

• Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Acrylic is a great alternative to glass because of its transparency, and it is shatterproof. Molded Poly methyl methacrylate is used by automotive plastic parts producers for creating internal screens, headlight covers, etc. 

• Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is known for its incredible electrical, thermal, optical, impact, and weathering qualities. It is one of the best options for creating bumpers, helmets, headlight lenses, and bulletproof glass because of its extraordinary impact resilience.

• Reinforced Composites

Manufacturers have access to glass or carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, which are far more robust in comparison to common resins that are used to make automobile bumpers and bodywork. 

Types Of Automotive Injection Molding Methods

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There are numerous types of injection molding procedures that are used in the automotive industry, such as plastic injection molding, die casting, insert molding, cube molding, metal injection molding, liquid silicone rubber injection molding, thin-wall injection molding, reaction injection molding, gas-assisted injection molding, micro injection molding, etc. However, only the most common injection molding methods used in the automotive industry are listed below. 

• Plastic Injection Molding

Decent-quality, commercially reproducible 3D items are made via injection molding procedure. Melted plastic is pumped straight into a unique mold when using this injection molding technique. High pressure is used during the injection to fill the mold and create solid components. The plastic substance is cooled to maintain its shape once the mold has been filled, and then it is unlocked. Using custom plastic injection molder machines, it is possible to easily create customized auto parts with intricate designs. 

• Overmolding

Overmolding allows for the creation of parts from two or more polymers. When manufacturers realize that the component can be produced better using different materials, they typically go with this method. A substrate is typically the initial substance that is covered with secondary materials, like the overmold substances, to complete the specific procedure for each item.

• Insert Molding

Overmolding and insert molding procedures are essentially comparable, although insert molding has more material restrictions. It is due to the fact that it utilizes sub-materials to fill in the spaces between the pieces, increasing its resilience. By adding the selected polymer to the insert, one can combine two or more materials to make one product. As insert molding removes the need for extra pieces that could make the product bulkier but less effective, the parts are often sturdy. 

• Elastomeric Injection Molding

Rubber and silicone are examples of elastomeric materials, and elastomeric injection molding is utilized to create parts from these substances. It has a lot of the same benefits as thermoplastic injection molding, such as affordability, rapid manufacturing, adaptability, etc. In addition to that, it offers excellent vibration-dampening and shock absorption. 

• Thermoplastic Injection Molding

In the automotive sector, thermoplastic injection molding is the most typical kind of molding procedure. Parts manufactured from thermoplastic polymers, including nylon, polypropylene, and ABS, are produced using it. The cost reduction, quick output, and versatility of this auto molding method make it superior to other methods of injection molding.

• Compression Molding

The compression molding technique entails pouring raw plastic substance into a heated mold, which is then crushed to create the required shape. Reasonable resilience in the finished item is ensured by the high temperature of the entire process. To complete the procedure, the liquid plastic is cooled to ensure that it maintains its shape before being cut and taken out from the mold. 

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• Thermosetting Injection Molding

Parts consisting of thermosetting polymers, like epoxy and polyester, are produced via thermosetting injection Molding. This molding method offers numerous benefits, including repeatability and precise dimensional tolerances. The fundamental reason why thermosetting injection molding is used by automobile plastic molding companies is because it is not prone to melting or deforming at elevated temperatures.

What Is The Process Of Automotive Injection Molding

The injection time, chilling time, and resetting time make up the total cycle time of the plastic injection molding process. The automotive injection molding procedure is detailed in this section. 

• Automotive Plastic Parts Design & Engineer

An expert industrial designer or engineer will create and engineer unique components for the molding procedure. Numerous elements must be taken into account while creating a stable and accurate automotive part. Unwanted outcomes might emerge if the manufacturers fail to adhere to the injection molding design rules.

The design of the automotive mold impacts the manufactured items&#; quality and reliability. The designers and engineers will take into account many factors like materials, draft, shrink rate, bosses, ribs, integrated fasteners, undercuts, etc. During the early auto mold design, the experts will concentrate on the dependability of the mold and conduct mold flow analysis on it. 

• Plastic Injection Mold Design And 3D Prototype

For prototypes, 3D printing solutions are utilized to guarantee auto part accuracy. The mold design will be made by using 3D printing and other plastic molding tools. The mold design that is approved by the client serves as the foundation for the 3D prototype. Bulk manufacturing is made possible through high-precision prototyping. The 3D prototype can only be utilized for injection molding later on with precision procedures that aid in proportioning the design for automotive usage.

• Mold Tooling Design & Making

To manufacture high-quality auto parts in large volumes, the right tooling is necessary. Prototype development is where the tooling design procedure begins. Prototype tools are made utilizing machining, cast urethane, and 3D printing. During manufacturing, these prototypes are utilized to build, test, and check the errors in tooling design. 

Producing custom molds for use in plastic injection molding is mold tooling. Specialists utilize sophisticated plastic injection tools during the mold tooling process. Machines like CNC machining, drilling, EDM, and milling will be present in the auto plastic part manufacturing unit. These equipment are operated by experts in the manufacturing workshop. 

• Injection Molding Sample 

Automotive and medical plastic manufacturers embrace client feedback and take it into account the remarks during the production procedure. Using the design of molds, the ideal injection molding auto part samples are produced. It is a norm to prototype the sample auto part before the client examines it. Once the client has approved the sample part, then mass manufacturing will begin. 

• Injection Molding Machine

The plastic mold is inserted into the injection molding machine. During the plastic injection molding process, the molding machine locks the mold. Granules or pellets of plastic are poured into the machine. The plastic is heated in the molding machine until it becomes liquid. The melted plastic is then injected into the mold utilizing the injection molding machine&#;s nozzle. The plastic will be poured into the mold&#;s cavity, and the product will then solidify as it cools. Ejectors will push the finished auto part out of the machine after it is cooled down completely. 

Automotive Plastic Injection Molding Services At SeaskyMedical

At SeaskyMedical, we offer prototyping and on-demand automotive plastic part manufacturing. We are a 20+ year experienced company based in China with global supply. We have a wide range of medical-grade raw materials for material selection and use long-lasting materials to develop high-precision mold tools to produce premium-quality plastic auto products. If looking for customized auto mold manufacturing solutions, contact SeaskyMedical without any second thought. 

We have a -square-meter manufacturing facility with an ISO-certified cleanroom for quick plastic injection molding in automotive industry. At our cleanroom injection molding facility, there are high-technology and advanced injection mold machines that are upgraded every 3 to 5 years. From product design, material selection, mold tooling, product sample, and bulk manufacturing to packaging, we offer a one-stop injection molding service for the automotive industry. 

FAQs

Q: What is the best molding process for making automotive plastic parts?

A: Plastic injection molding is the best molding procedure for producing a wide variety of automotive plastic parts due to its reliability, product resilience, long-term affordability, versatility, efficiency, etc. 

Q: What is the best material for injection molding automotive parts?

A: Based on the type of auto components and the application requirements, various kinds of plastic materials are used. However, the most commonly utilized plastics are Polypropylene, Polyvinyl chloride, Polyurethane, etc. 

Time to read: 7 min

Automotive injection molding lets designers produce plastic parts for electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and cars, trucks, and motorcycles with internal combustion engines (ICE). Although automotive plastic molding is usually associated with high-volume production, designers can also use injection molding for rapid prototyping and lower production volumes. Moreover, some automotive plastic injection molding companies also provide parts made of silicone high-consistency rubber (HCR) or thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). 

Today, the market for automotive injection molding spans original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), tiered suppliers, and providers of aftermarket auto parts and accessories. Injection-molded car parts for automotive interiors include grills, bumpers, headlights, fenders, side mirrors, and splash guards. Exterior components run from the dashboard to the roof lining and include door handles, center consoles, and plastic parts with a decorative finish. Plastic injection molding is used commonly, but injection-molded HCR is found in automotive hoses and connectors and TPEs are found in weather seals.

Large plastic parts such as dashboards can also be injection molded.

This article explains how designers can use automotive injection molding to bring their ideas to life, while addressing design and manufacturing challenges. It contains the following sections.

• Vehicle Lightweighting
• NVH Management
• Material Durability
• Material Recycling
• IATF Certification
• Class A Surfaces
•  High Gloss Finishes and Surface Texturing
• ROI in Injection Molding

Fictiv is where you&#;ll find automotive injection molding expertise and get design for manufacturing (DFM) feedback that helps you reduce costs and accelerate project timetables. We also offer downloadable assets like our &#;Injection Molding Design Guide.&#; This free resource contains best practices for material selection, wall thickness, draft angles, corner radii, and much more.    

Download the Injection Molding Design Guide

By combining what you&#;ll learn from the Guide with what you&#;ll read in this article, you&#;ll be well on your way to automotive injection molding success.

Like EVs and ICE vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) use lightweighting materials.

Vehicle Lightweighting

Lightweighting is a design strategy that reduces the weight of components and assemblies. In the automotive industry, it began as a way to increase fuel efficiency and improve vehicle handling. Although EVs are powered by electric batteries instead of liquid fuel, vehicle lightweighting is still important because electric vehicles are significantly heavier. Regardless of how a vehicle is powered, designers can pursue lightweighting initiatives through material substitution, design optimization, and component elimination.

Automotive injection molding lets designers leverage all three approaches. For example, glass-filled nylon can replace heavier metal materials in gears, bearings, fan blades, latches, manifolds, and fuel tank caps. To optimize vehicle designs, engineers can use aerodynamic parts like injection molded plastic spoilers. Overmolding, an injection molding technique, can eliminate fasteners or clips along with secondary processes that add production costs and extend project timelines.

By molding one material over another, overmolding lets parts designers leverage the best properties of both materials, while eliminating the need for post-molding operations (e.g., applying adhesives or installing fasteners). With automotive parts, softer elastomers are sometimes molded over harder thermoplastics. Examples include the electric motor housings in EVs, which are prone to vibration. Plastic and rubber are both lighter than metal, but rubber helps reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

NVH Management 

Like vehicle lightweighting, NVH management is an important design consideration in the automotive industry. Drivers and passengers don&#;t want to hear excessive amounts of road noise, nor do they want to hear buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) caused by vibrating components. Metals readily transfer vibrations, which can produce audible noise as they pass through structural elements. When vibrations are transmitted to interior components like windows, BSR can indicate poor design to potential car buyers.

In electric vehicles, overmolded parts such as electric motor housings do more than offset the weight of heavy battery systems. Rubber is one of the best materials for vibration absorption because of its high shear modulus and resistance to permanent deformation. By using an enclosure with injection molded rubber over plastic, an automotive OEM can reduce NVH, a problem that&#;s especially noticeable in EVs because of their quieter ride.

Material Durability

Durability refers to the ability of a product to remain functional when faced with the challenges of normal operation over its design lifetime. Whether it&#;s for under-the-hood components, safety components, or in-car electronics, a plastic car parts manufacturer needs to balance material durability against vehicle lightweighting and NVH management. Metals are stronger than plastics and are regarded as more durable. However, durability isn&#;t just about strength.

Through automotive injection molding, commonly used plastic materials can provide the durability that&#;s required for specific applications. For example, polypropylene (PP) is used in injected molded bumpers because it combines excellent resistance to moisture and sunlight with good fatigue strength. Polycarbonate (PC) is used in automotive headlights because it comes in grades with 80% to 90% light transmission. Plus, PC maintains its properties over a wide temperature range. Acrylic (PMMA) is also used in automotive lighting because of its optical clarity, strength, and resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light.

Nylon is an injection moldable thermoplastic that comes in glass-filled grades with high wear resistance, rigidity, strength, toughness, and dimensional stability. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is both hard and shiny, which makes it a good choice for injection molded parts like plastic wheel covers. Silicone is an elastomer that withstands a wide range of temperatures while resisting thermal aging, a reduction in physical properties over time because of exposure to high heat. Injected molded TPE is durable enough to withstand outdoor elements, but that&#;s not the only advantage for automotive applications.

Audi uses components made from mixed automotive plastic waste. Image: CompositesWorld

Material Recycling

Unlike EPDM rubber, a traditional material for automotive door and window seals, TPEs are recyclable because of their thermoplastic properties. That&#;s an important consideration for automotive OEMs and plastic part suppliers who are pursuing environmental sustainability initiatives. Silicone rubber can also be recycled, but this synthetic elastomer degrades with each use. By contrast, fully thermoplastic materials such as injection molded polypropylene, polycarbonate, ABS, acrylic, and nylon can be recycled and then injection molded again. Mixed plastic waste can also be used in cars.

IATF Certification

Depending on a project&#;s requirements, a part designer may require the services of an automotive plastic injection molding company that is ITAF : certified. Developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), this industry certification establishes the requirements for a quality management system (QMS) that encompasses continuous improvement, defect prevention, and supply chain management. ITAF is based on ISO , but ITAF compliance goes beyond the QMS requirements that are required for ISO :, a certification that&#;s held by many injection molding companies. 

Class A Surfaces

Automotive injection molding can be used to produce plastic parts with Class A surfaces. Typically, this level of surface quality is assessed visually by the flow and smoothness of reflections, lights, and shadows. Class A surfaces are also free of scratches and noticeable defects. Exterior auto parts with Class A surfaces include bumpers, body panels, and the exterior body trim and pillar seals. Interior components with Class A surfaces include instrument panels, center consoles, and dashboards as well as closure latch mechanisms and stabilizer bumpers.

Because electric vehicles cost more than their gasoline or diesel-powered counterparts, some automotive OEMs treat EVs as premium purchases that require more Class A surfaces. Consequently, designers need to pay close attention to parting lines&#;the area where the two halves of an injection mold (core and cavity) separate to release the part. If the parting line is located in a highly visible area, an injection molding defect called flash may occur because of the escape of molten plastic. An injection molder can minimize the risk of flash by considering material flow and injection points when designing the automotive injection mold.  

Automotive injection molding can produce both high gloss and textured surfaces.

High Gloss Finishes and Surface Texturing

Some injection-molded automotive parts, such as the plastic covers for interior lighting fixtures, require high gloss finishes. Toward the end of the toolmaking process, a mold maker applies an appropriate injection molding surface finish to the mold. Then, during the molding process, this finish is transferred from the tool to the surfaces of molded parts. Two trade associations, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the Society of German Engineers (VDI), define the high gloss finishes used by the automotive industry. In North America especially, SPI standards A-1, A-2, and A-3 are used for high gloss finishes.  

Plastic injection molded parts can also have a textured rather than polished finish. There are hundreds of texture options, but SPI and VDI are the two main systems used by the industry. In addition to light, medium, and heavy textures, other options include simulated wood or leather grain and checkerboards and diamond patterns. For designers, it&#;s important to apply a heavier draft angle to textured parts so they can be released from the mold easily, and without drag marks. Generally, 2° of draft is used.

ROI in Injection Molding

In automotive injection molding, return on investment (ROI) is about the cost of the tool relative to the number of parts produced. Although many part designers associate plastic injection molding with hardened steel molds for high-volume production, it&#;s possible to machine prototype and low-volume tools from aluminum, softer steels, or semi-hardened steels. Aluminum is the least expensive of these lower-cost metals, but aluminum can&#;t match the tolerance levels of steel molds. Plus, aluminum molds may wear prematurely if glass-filled nylon is used or tool maintenance is neglected.

For prototype injection molding, part quality is more important than tool life, especially for first article inspections (FAIs). Cycle time is also less important, at least for designers who need lower volumes of pre-production parts. Still, it&#;s possible to accelerate parts production by using molds made of softer steels or semi-hardened steels that are ready in less than two weeks. Designers who are concerned about the ROI in injection molding can also use master unit dies, or MUD molds, that consist of a standard frame and interchangeable plates. MUD molds require less machining time and are cost-effective for lower volumes.

Fictiv provides automotive designers with a choice of mold materials.  

Choose Automotive Molding from Fictiv

There are many automotive injection molding suppliers, but part designers need design and manufacturing expertise to help turn their ideas into reality. Fictiv provides expert DFM assistance along with our response to your request for a quote. Plus, we work with a carefully vetted global network of manufacturing partners, including options for localized production. At a time when supply chain management is more important than ever, isn&#;t it time to reduce the risk of injection molding defects while getting parts faster?  If you&#;re ready to take the next step, create a free Fictiv account and request a quote.  

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