Today, technology continues to play a significant role in many different types of manufacturing processes. CNN and other computerized systems are making increasingly bigger strides in metalworking shops. In the companies where plastic dominates, 3D printing is beginning to carve a niche. This includes injection molding services, the major means of producing plastic molds.
3D Printing
3D printing, the rendition of a physical object from a digital model, by layering the material one upon the other, is an additive manufacturing process. Different technologies are currently available to accomplish this task. They all serve the same purpose, in plastic molding. This is to provide a prototype, before producing the actual mold for a component or other product.
Advantages
Injection molding requires an initial prototype before producing a run. Fabricating the right tools can prove to be expensive since every part must have its own injection tool. In the past, this has taken weeks to produce. In some cases, the term is as long as several months
3D printing avoids these issues when creating a printed injection molding tool (PIMT). It offers several advantages over the customary way of tooling and retooling for production. 3D printing is:
- Fast- ready to inject within several hours
- Economical
- Provides functional parts/prototypes for initial testing
- Reduction costs in material no need to utilize special plastics
- Produces precise, complex parts
- Adjustable is design changes are required
Offering 3D printing as part of a company’s injection molding services can prove advantageous for all concerned.
3D Printing and Injection Molding Services
Today, technology is working with molding companies to improve the capability to produce a prototype with exactitude and speed. Using 3D printing tools can decrease the overall cost and speed up the process for preparing a prototype. While some companies may view 3D printing as a threat, others regard it as a partner in their option to provide the best possible injection molding services and affordable solutions to their customers.