Use of Injection Method in Making Automotive Parts Moulding

What is automotive parts moulding?

The term automotive parts moulding refers to the moulds that are used in making the decorative and various other parts of the car. Mould manufacturers use various methods for making the moulds. But the injection method is the most commonly used process for manufacturing automotive parts. 

What is injection moulding?

Injection moulding is a method of manufacturing the moulds that are used in making multiple auto parts. Under this method of manufacturing, a molten liquid is injected into rigid frames; which gives shape and structure to the parts.

The most common material used in injection moulding is thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer. Additionally, materials like metals, glass, and elastomers can be used in the injection method of production.

Why the injection method of moulding?

The automobile industry is fast-growing and ever-changing industry. The auto parts manufactured must be of desired shape and size to fit the purpose. Injection method of moulding offers the flexibility to manufactures parts of different size and shape. Hence, it is suitable for manufacturing automotive parts moulding.

Injection method of moulding offers faster and consistent production of the automotive parts. The most complex design relating to an automotive industry can be brought to life through the injection method of moulding.

Also, Injection method helps in producing quality products at a low cost. 

Bottom line

It can be said that the injection method of moulding is preferred for manufacturing auto –parts. But picking the right manufacturer is important. HQ Mould is one of the leading mould manufacturers in the market. It offers quality and excellent services. They use the injection method to make moulds for complex auto parts. 

Auto and other moulds manufacturing in China

HQ Mould is engaged in Automotive Parts Moulding, moulding of parts used in household items, chair moulding, pipe fitting moulding, crate moulding, etc. The company uses injection moulding to manufacture plastic moulds. This is a process in which a plastic material is molted inside the injection moulding machine and then injected into a mould placed in the machine. The molten plastic solidifies inside the mould to form the plastic part. The solidified part is then ejected from the mould by an ejection system.

HQ Mould uses advanced CNC/EDM/DMG/CMM machines for injection moulding. Some of the moulds manufactured by the company have been discussed here.

Automotive mould

Automotive mould manufactured by the company is front bumper mould. Mould material used for the purpose is S45C. The mould in which the molten plastic is injected has a single cavity. The machine used for injection moulding process is 230 T injection machine. Ejector block is used as the ejection system in the machine. The runner system is 9 valve hot runner. The front bumper mould has a life of 150,000 shots.

Crate mould

Fruit crate mould is manufactured using either a single cavity or double cavity mould. The mould material is 718 while the machine used for the injection moulding process is 780T injection machine. Stripper plate is used as the ejection system while the runner system is 4 pin point gate hot runner. Mould has a life of 500,000 shots. Apart from fruit crate moulds, beer crate moulds for 12 bottles are also manufactured.

Top-3 Injection Moulding Defects and How to Fix Them?

Injection Moulding is one type of moulding used in manufacturing automotive parts. It is not much easy to manufacture automotive parts moulding, as it may involve some defects which are difficult to fix them. Thus, manufacturers like HQ Mould will take care to fix such defects to avoid risks. Some of the defects affecting the output of automotive parts such as

·         Flow Lines

·         Sink Marks

·         Vacuum Voids

Flow Lines:

Flow lines defects caused due to the flow of molten plastics into the mould in varying speed by making some bends in the output. This condition may also occur when the molten plastic flows through the mould of having varying wall thickness.

Remedies:

·         It is necessary to have injection speeds and pressure applied to the molten plastics maintaining at an optimal level. In addition to this, check the cavities filled properly or not.

·         Round corners and locations avoided to change the direction of flow of molten plastics.

Sink Marks:

If the cooling method is not done properly for the molten plastic, then it will result in sink marks. Most of the automotive parts moulding manufacturer maintains cooling time to avoid sink marks.

Remedies:

Lower the molding temperature, raise the holding pressure and finally increase the holding time so that the molten plastics will get adequate cooling time.

Vacuum Voids:

They are some air pockets that get trapped nearer to the surface of an injection moulded prototype, due to uneven solidification.

Remedies:

·         Here too similar to sink marks, increase the holding pressure and holding time as well.

·         Checking the alignment of mould parts properly to avoid vacuum voids.

Intricate Automotive Parts Moulding and Its Benefits

It is indeed a great advancement in technology that has made it possible to make even small and intricate automotive parts which were previously made using metals with plastic now. The automotive parts moulding which involves the process of injecting thermosetting plastic into a mold that is made to precision has made it possible for you to have intricate and high precision automotive parts to be made with accuracy and finesse. This has been beneficial for the automobile industry at large too. 

What is plastic moulding? What type of moulding is used for automotive parts

There are different types of moulding. Moulding,in general, refers to the process of setting heated or melted plastics in a mould to get the desired product once the plastic cools down. But in case of automotive parts mould manufacturing companies that are reputed like hqmould develop moulds for plastic injection moulding. In this process, the moulds are made to specifications. The melted plastic is injected from one end of the mould. The plastic then flows through the mould filling up the spaces and on the completion of the process and cooling of the plastic, the final product is ejected from the mould. The product that is obtained thus is precise and fits the specifications accurately. 

Benefits of plastic moulded parts

 The advantages that the plastic moulded parts are believed to offer include

·         Reduction in labor costs

·          Reduction in the weight of the vehicle and improved efficiency of the vehicle

·         Even the most subtle and complex shapes can be replicated accurately

·          The plastic moulded parts do not rust or corrode. Therefore, they are durable and strong

It also reduces the need for finishing at the end. However, choosing the right moulding company is of paramount importance.

Why Plastic Automotive Parts Moulding is Advantageous

Metal is the most preferred component for making automobile parts until a few decades ago. But ever since the thermosetting plastics and the art of using them effectively were evolved, the situation is such that there is hardly any part that cannot be made using the plastic moulding process. The Automotive Parts Moulding also can be considered a technological advancement that has many advantages.

Advantages of plastic Automobile part moulding

When compared to the metal parts, the plastic parts are slightly lesser in strength, but they are still durable. The other advantages that make the use of plastic parts worthwhile in a car include.

·         Different types of plastics available for thermosetting which can be used appropriately for different parts of the automobile depending upon whether it is expected to play a mechanical function or not, the thickness of the part in question, the quantity of product to be produced.

·         The process of making plastic auto parts is quite simple and relatively quick. Once the mould is made the part with complex geometry too would be made with considerable ease.

·         Auto parts made of metal may require finishing. Plastic auto parts produced from moulds made from high-quality mould makers like HQmould who know what they are doing will come with colour, texture, size and finish that there would need only for minimum or in most cases nil finishing.

·         The mould making process might take a little time. After that, the production would be quite fast.

·         The plastic parts tend to make the vehicle lighter making it fuel efficient and improve performance as well.

·         The plastic parts are not affected by chemicals nor do they oxidize or rust.  Therefore, they are long-lasting.

However, mould making is very important. Therefore, choosing the right mould maker is crucial for getting desired end products.