Compression Moulding
Compression moulding is a manufacturing process where a plastic or metal material is forced into a custom mould by the application of outside pressure. In most cases, this pressure is created by a mechanical press. Depending on the material, a combination of compression and heat is used to force the material into a mould and create a product with a specific shape.
In the compression moulding process, a precisely designed die or mould is filled with the material that is going to be used to create the custom moulded product. The material gets heated until it is malleable, then the die is closed and the mechanical press applies pressure to the material. This causes the material to conform to the shape of the mould.
Once the material is forced into the mould and cooled, the press opens and the moulded part can be removed. The pressure applied during the moulding process helps give the finished part a strength and integrity that other moulding processes cannot reproduce.
Compression moulding is well suited for large production runs of around 10,000 pieces or more. This is because the tooling costs are lower when the same tool is used for a long production run. Compression moulding is also well-suited for materials that require high levels of heat and pressure for proper moulding, such as composites and thermoset plastics.
One advantage of compression moulding is its relatively low cost, especially when compared to other manufacturing processes like injection moulding. The tools used for compression moulding are also typically less expensive and require less maintenance than other types of moulding tools.
Another advantage of compression moulding is the ability to create complex and intricate shapes that cannot be achieved with other manufacturing processes. This is usually due to the fact that the moulds used in compression moulding are more precise and detailed than those used in other manufacturing processes.
There are some disadvantages of compression moulding that must also be considered. One is that the process typically has a longer cycle time than other types of moulding processes. This longer cycle time results in higher production costs.
Compression moulding also needs higher levels of pressure to be applied than injection moulding. This can limit the materials that can be used with this manufacturing process. Materials like elastomers and foams are not able to be compressed with the pressures used in this process.
Compression moulding is a manufacturing process that is used to create a custom moulded product from plastic or metal materials. Pressure is applied to the material, usually by a mechanical press, and heat is used to force the material into a custom mould. This process is well suited for high volume production runs and is cost effective for materials that require high levels of heat and pressure for moulding. It can also be used to create complex shapes and components.
