Mold Making Terminology
Mold making is a precision engineering process in which a specially designed mold, often referred to as a die, is used to shape one or more components of a product. In order to manufacture a high-quality molded part, the operator must understand and be familiar with the many specialized terms and concepts that are part of mold making. This article will provide an introduction to the terminology used in the mold making process.
Core & Cavity: The core and cavity are the two halves of the mold that form the desired shape of the product. The core is the solid shape that is imparted onto the product when the resin is injected into the cavity. The cavity is the space in the mold that is filled with molten plastic.
Injection Molding: Injection molding is the process of injecting molten plastic into a preformed mold in order to form a part or product. The plastic is heated to a high temperature and then injected into the mold under pressure.
Parting Line: The parting line is the line that separates the two halves of the mold. It is formed by the intersection of the core and cavity. The parting line is very important in determining the quality of the finished product.
Ejection Pin: The ejection pin is a pin that is used to eject the part or product out of the mold once it has been formed.
Runner & Gate System: The runner and gate system is an integrated system of channels used to funnel molten plastic into the mold cavity. The runner is the large channel that carries the plastic from the nozzle to the gate. The gate is the small opening through which the plastic enters the cavity.
Draft Angle: The draft angle is the angle at which the walls of the cavity are tapered in order to allow the part to easily be removed from the mold once it has been formed. The draft angle must be carefully designed in order to allow for smooth removal of the part without damaging the sides.
Venting: Venting is the process of creating small pathways or “vents” in the mold that allow for the release of air that is trapped during the injection molding process. Without proper venting, air can become trapped in the mold and cause defects in the finished part.
Rigidizing: Rigidizing is the process of strengthening the walls of a mold in order to increase its durability and improve the overall performance of the injection molding process.
Cooling Channels: Cooling channels are channels or pathways integrated into the mold that are used to rapidly cool the molten plastic and allow for a faster molding cycle.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Design for Manufacturing is a process in which the product design is optimized to reduce manufacturing costs, improve the efficiency of the process, and reduce the overall time to market.
Mold Maker: A mold maker is an individual or company who specializes in the design and fabrication of custom molds and dies. Mold makers are responsible for ensuring that the mold design meets the customers specifications and requirements.
Mold Flow Analysis (MFA): Mold flow analysis is the process of analyzing a mold design to identify potential problems or areas of concern. It is used to optimize the mold design and ensure it meets the customer’s desired outcome.
Prototype Mold: A prototype mold is a one-of-a-kind mold that is designed and used to test how a product will perform and look when produced on an injection molding machine. Prototype molds are typically used when prototyping a product prior to investing in a full-scale production tool.
These are just a few of the many terms and concepts related to the mold making process. It is important for operators to be familiar with the terminology and processes associated with mold making in order to ensure that parts are properly formed and of high-quality.
