What is plastic injection moulding?

Plastic injection moulding is the most used technique for processing plastic. Many everyday products such as crates, flowerpots, electronic components, cars, or machinery, as well as packaging, are produced using this method.

At Didak Injection, we have years of experience in injection moulding and we daily manufacture products and product components for a wide range of sectors. But how does plastic injection moulding work? What are its advantages? We'll explain it in the text below.

Plastic injection moulding is a shaping technique for plastic end products. The first step in the process is designing, which also involves determining the composition of the plastic. A mould is then created featuring a cavity in the shape of the desired product.

The quality of the final product is largely determined by the quality of the mould, which is specifically designed for each project. Products can be manufactured in large quantities once a good quality mould is developed.

When injection moulding takes place, the plastic is first melted and injected into the mould under high pressure. Once the liquid has cooled evenly and sufficiently, the final product can be removed from the mould.

Advantages of plastic injection moulding

One of the advantages of injection moulding is the freedom in design. The high pressure at which the liquid plastic is injected into the mould allows for the realisation of complex details in the design, which can be more difficult and expensive with other techniques.

Plastic injection moulding is a cost-effective production method. Although the preparation, such as creating the mould, takes some time, the actual injection moulding process is fast. This allows to produce large quantities of products in a short amount of time, which is also quite profitable.

Another advantage is the consistency in shape and quality of the products. Since the injection moulding process is automated, the chance of production errors is almost negligible. This ensures that the final products are consistent without any deviations.

Different techniques

Many other techniques that can be applied in addition to traditional injection moulding. One example is 2K injection moulding, where two types of plastic are integrated into one product, or multi-component injection where multiple materials with different properties, colours, or hardness levels are melted together.

Another technique is In-Mould Labelling (IML), where a label (printed plastic film) is applied to the mould and then connected to the injected plastic. This creates a product where the label forms an integrated part. It can serve as a commercial message or a functional element such as a barcode.

Gas-assisted injection moulding is another technique. After filling the mould with liquid plastic, an inert gas is injected under constant pressure, creating a hollow wall. This technique offers additional freedom in shaping. Material savings and extra strength are additional advantages.

With plastic injection moulding, the possibilities are endless. If you have any questions after reading this article or if you require specific design requirements for your project, please feel free to contact us at sales@didak.eu. We would be really happy to assist you.