If you are a product designer or an engineer that needs a plastic part for a project or product you will need to use a manufacturing technique called Injection Molding. Due to advances in the rapid prototyping industry, your piece can be ready to be manufactured in days. These steps are needed to take to take advantage of the power that Rapid Prototyping offers.

What Is Injection Molding?

At its core injection molding is nothing more than a manufacturing process that involves pouring very hot liquid plastic or metal into a mold that is shaped like the piece your company needs to manufacture. That liquid cools and hardens and then it is separated from the frame and finished into a working part.

Injection molding is a manufacturing process that has been around for a long time. The new developments in CNC machining, the increase in computing power and the ability to coordinate CNC and Injection Molds, with specialized manufacturers have created an environment where the idea on your companies whiteboard can become a finished tangible product in days.

Making a mold for injection molding.

If your company has a talented team of CAD designers that understand the mold making process and the common pitfalls that can affect the outcome of your mold like…

Surface Delamination
Sink Marks
Flow Lines
Vacuum Voids

then creating a CAD file for the shape is straightforward. Most companies use software packages from AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and OnShape to name just a few.

If you don't have a CAD department in your company yet, and you need that idea made, the highly skilled team at RapidDirect can get your design moving right away. This is what they do very well.

Remember that the mold you create will be used to manufacture your part. It is essential that you get the shape correct in as few tries as possible.

Field Testing Your Part

Your mold has been made, and a sample part has been created for your team to evaluate and field test. This part of the process is critical for your final product. Your team should evaluate usability, durability, and whether it is ergonomically pleasing if it is a consumer product.

If your injection mold is on target and your finished part is perfect, then the team that you used either in your company or at a Rapid Prototyper like RapidDirect has hit a home run.

Manufacturing your Product or Part

The world is vast and your project time is precious. Your company needs to produce a product or piece. How do you start figuring out which manufacturer is the correct one to use based on the material you need your part to be made from, and the number of pieces you need to be created?

In many cases, we are talking about a few parts to millions of parts that need to be made. How much lead time be required by the factory? Can they manufacture with the raw material you need to use? Can they keep the material cost down? How much per piece will this part or product cost your company? Do they have a robust replenishment pipeline for your raw materials and how fast can they get your product shipped to your warehouse?

These are all time-consuming questions that you have to consider and narrow down when searching for that perfect company to make your part or product.

The Largest Manufacturing Network is at your fingertips

RapidDirect is connected to China's most potent manufacturing network. No matter what material your product will be made from or how many items you need to be made RapidDirect can match your product needs to the right company. They understand how business gets done in Asia, and they can guide your product to the manufacturer with the right skills required to get your product to your warehouse.

Whether your designers have the capabilities to design a mold for injection molding or if you use RapidDirects services your idea or product should not just sit there. Get it going today.

Contact the team at RapidDirect today.