plastic manufacturing

How to Choose the Right Plastic Manufacturing Process

Choosing the right plastic manufacturing process can be a challenge. There are many options, and each has unique benefits and limitations to consider. Here is a brief look at the different types of plastic manufacturing.

The Key to Choosing the Right Plastic Manufacturing Process

The key to choosing the right plastic manufacturing process is to think about the following:

You need a process to make the plastic into what you want it to be without significant drawbacks. Thinking about these two factors will determine the best option every time.

Available Plastics Manufacturing Processes

Here are some of the most common plastic manufacturing processes:

Injection Molding

Injection molding heats the plastic resin and injects it into a mold made from a more rigid material like steel or ceramic. When the plastic cools, it hardens into that shape and can be removed from the mold. Parts get made quickly this way, but it works best for simple, solid parts as complex parts take more work to produce.

Blow Molding

Blow molding is the opposite of injection molding. The plastic is put in a mold, then inflated using compressed gas. This pushes the plastic to the sides of the mold, giving it shape, but the inside is hollow. This is great for hollow parts with solid walls.

Extrusion Molding

Extrusion molding is also used to make hollow parts but uses pump pressure to move the liquid plastic into place. The resin is liquified and pushed into a mold using a liquid pump. When cooled, it is removed from the mold and forms a solid, ‘tube-like’ shape.

Compression Molding

Compression molding places plastic in a mold and then squeezes the mold together. This compresses the plastic into the right shape, which is excellent for forming parts that are flat or have uniform sides. It can also make very dense parts.

Thermoforming

Thermoforming uses plastic sheets to shape parts with complex open 3D shapes like masks. The sheet is placed over the mold and then heated. At the same time, the mold applies suction to the other side to pull the sheet down. When it reaches the right temperature, the sheet becomes flexible and is pulled down over the mold by the suction, forming a tight fit with the right shape.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Plastic Manufacturing Process

There are several factors to consider when choosing a plastic manufacturing process. Here are the most common:

  • Cost – How much does it cost to make per unit?
  • Volume – How many units can you make per hour?
  • Material – What materials are you working with? What are their limits?
  • Part Size – How big is each part you need to make? Only some processes can work for different size parts.
  • Precision – How precise and complex do you need the part to be? Some methods only make basic parts.
  • Lead Time – How much time do you need to make parts before the deadline? Some methods take a long time to produce a large volume of parts.

Learn More About Plastic Manufacturing Processes from Phoenix Plastics

If you need help choosing the right plastic manufacturing process, reach out to the expert team at Phoenix Plastics. Contact us now to determine the best option and get a quote for your next project.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

plastic additives

Plastic Additives and Their Benefits

Plastic is so commonplace today that most people don’t stop to think that there may have been elements added to the plastic during manufacturing that make it as reliable as it needs to be. Now that you are considering plastic for your manufacturing, construction, or other needs, it is advisable to consider what additives would be

Read More »
Ripening Process

How to Stop the Clock on Ripening with Gaia Fresh EG 600 Plus

If you are in the plastic manufacturing industry, you have likely used additives in one way or another. However, when it comes to plastics produced for food use, there is certainly more nuance to selecting the right product to stop the ripening process. Plastics and food are inextricably linked. If your production includes products for

Read More »
compounding and manufacturing in Houston

The Benefits of Polymer Additives

There are a variety of reasons that manufacturers choose to use polymer additives. Additives have been added to polymers for ages, and as long as plastic is used, this practice will continue. These additives effectively reduce costs, extend the life of the material, reduce flammability, improve flexibility, and make processing simpler, among other benefits. Enhancing Performance

Read More »

ABOUT US

Located in Conroe, TX, just north of Houston, Phoenix Plastics was founded in 1996 but our staff has more than 75 years of experience in the plastic industry. Our testing and processing takes place in-house, which allows Phoenix Plastics to maintain high quality standards. Phoenix Plastics is an ISO:9001 certified company.

CONTACT US TODAY

5400 Jefferson Chemical Rd
Conroe, TX 77301

1.866.760.2311 / Fax: 936.760.2322
phoenix@phoenixplastics.com

Location Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM CST
Dock Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM CST

FIND US

Translate »
Scroll to Top