When it comes to making plastic parts, plastic injection molding is the go-to solution for many. With numerous benefits such as durability and improved efficiency, it’s easy to see why it is a popular solution. But choosing the technique doesn’t guarantee the results you’re after. You should also pick a plastic injection molding company that will meet your needs. But what should you look for? This article will delve further.
- Excellent Design Time
There’s no doubt that design is one of the primary aspects of plastic injection molding. Choosing a company that has an excellent design team will make a world of a difference in getting what you’re looking for. Beginning with a clear design concept is pivotal in ensuring the production process goes smoothly.
The design process is a vital stage of the project and it’s where the process becomes efficient in regards to time and cost. As such, picking a plastic injection molding company with an excellent design time that can get involved as early as possible in the project is important in hitting your goals.
The design team should be able to simplify your product’s geometry in order to reduce the number of parts. As you may have guessed, this is essential in determining the overall budget and increasing the ROI.
- Production Volume & Capacity
It’s imperative to narrow down your selection of plastic injection molding companies by checking the size and volume of your production needs. Different molders specialize in varying capacities. If you are looking at a maximum production of 10,000 parts, then you’ll want to pick a low to moderate capacity injection molding company. They are also excellent for those looking to make prototypes for testing.
Applications that call for low to moderate capacity molders include agriculture components, aero engineering parts, medical devices, etc. That’s because they do not need to be produced in high volumes.
If you are looking to produce parts in high numbers, then you should pick molders specializing in bulk production (at least 7 million units).
- Production Application
Another aspect to look at when picking a molder is product application. The intended purpose of the parts is vital when assessing the various manufacturing stages such as the design, development and production. A good plastic injection molding firm should be able to guide you in picking the right kind of plastic resins for varying product applications. For example medical grade tubing options.
Properties like flexibility, moldability, durability, strength, and heat resistance vary in different plastic resins. Nowadays, plastics are being used in many industries as an alternative to metals in order to reduce weight and cut down production costs.
The molding company you pick should have the capacity to guide you on the ideal resins based on both your budget and the final product’s intended use.
- Comprehensive Range of Services
Regardless of the type and number of plastic parts you require, it’s vital to pick a molder with a one-stop manufacturing solution. Companies that also offer early stages consultation, from the concept and design stage of the project can help you come up with a design that matches your requirements and budget.
When selecting a plastic injection molder, consider the expanded services and technical needs during the manufacturing process. Picking an injection molding company that provides a comprehensive range of services including prototyping, plastic parts design, mold flow analysis, and much more in addition to the common services is one of the best decisions you can make.
- Special Requirements & the Tech Available
Product manufacturers tend to compromise on the specifications needed on a project. However, picking a reputable molder to work on your project gives you the chance to have the parts reduced, no matter the specifications required.
An ideal plastic injection molder will be able to guide you and make sound suggestions regarding your specifications, all without compromising on the details.
During the production process, a plastic part may have to undergo alterations which may include resin changes, design adjustments, etc. Ensure that the plastic injection molding company you partner with will be able to make sound suggestions in regards to these aspects while keeping in mind your need to save both money and time.
And there you have it, 5 tips for picking the right plastic injection molding company. With the help of this article, you should be in a position to make a sound decision.
