Basics and Technology of Plastic Mould
Introduction
Mould is defined as a “device or form used to create or shape a material” and is commonly used in construction, manufacturing and production of all kinds of products. Plastic mould, or moulding, refers to the process of creating and/or forming plastic into a particular shape or form. Plastic moulding is a versatile form of manufacturing and the technology is used across multiple industries. Plastic moulding technology is used for many different products and applications. Common examples of moulded plastic products include packaging, containers and automotive parts. This article will provide a brief overview of the basics of plastic mould and discuss the technology of plastic moulding.
General Overview
Plastic mould is a process used to create hollow plastic parts or products. In most cases, plastic is heated until it is pliable and can then be injected or forced into the hollow mould. Once the plastic has cooled and hardened, it can be removed from the mould and the final product is ready for use.
History
The use of plastic moulding has been around since the late 19th century when Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic, was developed. Over the years, plastic moulding has advanced significantly, with improvements in the technology and materials used. Plastic moulding was initially used mostly in the automotive industry but has since spread to a variety of industries.
Types of Plastic Mould
The type of plastic mould will depend on the type of product being produced and the material used. There are three main types of plastic moulding – injection moulding, thermoforming and rotational moulding.
Injection moulding
Injection moulding is the most commonly used type of plastic moulding and is used to produce a wide range of products including plastic bottles, containers, toy parts, electronic parts and car parts. In this process, molten plastic is injected into a mould at high pressure and once the plastic cools, the finished product is released.
Thermoforming
Thermoforming is a plastic moulding process where a thermoplastic sheet is heated until pliable and then formed into a desired shape.
It is most commonly used to produce plastic packaging, food containers and automotive parts.
Rotational Moulding
Rotational moulding, also known as rotomoulding, is a process used to produce hollow parts and products.
It is used mainly to produce plastic tanks, containers, kayaks and children’s toys. In this process, the plastic is placed in a mould that is then rotated and heated until it forms a hollow product.
Advantages and Limitations of Plastic Moulding
Plastic moulding has many advantages over other manufacturing processes such as cost savings and efficiency. In comparison to other processes, plastic moulding is much faster and produces more consistent quality products. Additionally, plastic moulding is relatively versatile, with the ability to produce complex shapes and intricate parts with ease. However, there are some limitations to plastic moulding such as the need for expensive moulds and long lead times.
Conclusion
Plastic mould is a versatile manufacturing process with a wide array of applications. It can be used to produce a variety of products ranging from containers and packaging to car parts and electronic parts. Injection moulding is the most commonly used type of plastic moulding, but thermoforming and rotational moulding are also popular methods used. The advantages of plastic moulding include cost savings, efficiency, versatility and ease of manufacture. Though there are some limitations to this process such as the need for a complex mould and long lead times, the process is still widely used in a variety of industries.
