Before we begin production on a part or product, we need to select the right plastic for injection molding project to use. The resin is the base of the plastic product or component; the most essential element of the final product that will have impact on its cost, production time, usage, and life cycle. Resin selection is one of the earliest stages of part design, so it’s not something we take lightly. These are just some of the things we consider when making a resin selection:
Price
Acceptable part price is determined via our relationship with the client and by analyzing and understanding the economy and the market in which the product will exist. Justifying part price with current market resin prices is an important step in determining the final makeup of the product.
Part Requirements
We’ll also consider everything that’s going to be physically asked of the final product. HTI Plastics makes a wide array of plastic products or components, each with its own unique set of considerations.
- Part purpose and life cycle
- Aesthetics
- Price point
- Environment in which the part will exist
Design
Resin considerations are also made during the design phase of the part; as we determine what a product will look like and how it will be molded. Different raw plastics have different end results, each of which can affect:
- Wall thickness
- Parting line and ejection
- Appearance parts
- Ribs and gussets
- Bosses
- Holes and depressions
- Radii, fillets, and corners
Performance
Every product has to be able to fulfill its purpose. We know resins well, so we’ll compare the part requirements and design attributes and weigh them against the attributes of our tried and true plastics. Whether the end product will be disposable or need to be used for a long period of time, we figure out which resin will fall within the parameters of performance with your product.
Processing Considerations
Some products require two different types of materials, so again, we need to select the right plastic for injection molding. Over-molding is a process in which plastic is molded with another substrate, creating a cohesive and useful final product. In these cases, the resin we choose must have a strong chemical bond with the substrate while understanding the melt temperatures of both materials.
Often, secondary operations are required after molding the parts. Machining and finishing can serve decorative and functional requirements for a particular product, and knowing how the resin will be affected by these procedures.
Understanding the resin’s properties and reaction during processing and secondary operations is critical to meeting the product’s intended objectives.
Material Availability
We’ll consider the needs of your product and put our experience with our materials to good use. Supply and demand for a plastic – especially if your product has ongoing production demands – will be considered, too. When we present our findings, expect us to have a second and third material choice … as backups just in case.
All of these considerations are invaluable in bringing our customers a superb final product every time. Our choices early in product development determine the project outcome, so we weigh them heavily and are always careful to make the right choice. Ill-advised material selection would result in an inferior process and possibly and inferior product, adding cost, time, and headaches to the process. We’ve been in the business long enough – we’ll get it right the first time.