Plastic Injection molding is one of the most widely used techniques for making plastic automotive molds. This has been in use for many decades as it is a very versatile process and high quality results are obtained.
Fiberglass automotive molds are made differently where the resin is coated on the surface of the mold along with chopped strand matting of five layers, allowed to cure, dry and then polishing and waxing.
Plastic injection molding basically consists of injecting plastic material into a mold, first into a heated barrel and then into a mold, where it is mixed and heated and then forced into a mold cavity where it begins to cool and harden to take on the shape of the mold. Essentially, if the part is plastic, then it can be manufactured by plastic injection molding. The list of parts in the automotive industry made by plastic injection molding is almost endless.
- General Instrumentation including the molding that holds it in place
- Housings for electronic module controls
- Radio controls
- Plastic interior surfaces
- Faceplates and lenses
- Splash guards and other exterior automotive parts like panels, railings, doors, locking systems.
- Fuel tank systems, electrical covers
The ideal injection molding system consists of injection molding and test facilities. The test facilities include physical and mechanical testing under a wide range of test conditions. Pilot plants are also tested before setting up automotive components injection molding installations.
A lot of sophisticated machining goes into making a mold which is made of highly durable chromium steel for plastic injection. Milling machines, CNC machines and EDM electrode machines are essential for creating a precision mold. This is in general. Aluminium and rubber molding machines are also made using different metals. Engraving of date – year and month stamp, logo etc. are also provided.
China Mould manufacturers
There are many mechanical components of a typical molding machine, like machine frames, toggle parts, clamping plates, etc., which may be manufactured separately by individual manufacturers and assembled together. In China, this is possible. But in Europe, they have to source such individual components from China, which is a time consuming and expensive proposition. The Chinese have the option of sourcing these parts from other manufacturers in their own country or manufacturing them within the company. Either way, they stand to benefit. They have a large market for their own molding machines. Injection molding machines come with all the required features and at very competitive prices. It is said that only 5% of the 600 injection molding machine manufacturers are considered at par with European manufacturers.
Some of the auxiliary machinery required to make plastic automotive molds are:
Auto Loader- Hopper dryer – Crusher and mixer – Water chiller and cooling tower –Mold Temperature controller –Air compressor –Air filter
These are all highly precise, microprocessor enabled, robot assisted operating machinery which complements the working of an excellent injection molding machine.
Injection molding China has come a long way. In addition to improving their machinery and increasing the life of their plastic molding machinery, the companies have provided services centers in many countries of the world, close to their customer site, to provide on site assistance. China injection molding is the most widely used in the world, and serves many of the leading car manufacturers like Audi.