Quick Turn Injection Molding
Quick-turn injection molding guarantee fast-turnaround from tooling to actual fabrication without compromising quality. This process occurs rapidly and it is characterized by its quick turnaround time.
Usually, it is one of the most effective and reliable processes in rapid prototyping. Furthermore, you can also adopt the process for small to medium production runs. The manufacturing process is ideal for customized plastic parts while at the same time providing a cost-effective and efficient solution in plastic parts manufacturing.
Benefits Of Quick Turn Injection Molding
This manufacturing process supports a wide range of materials that include plastics, elastomers, and metals, allowing for versatility in product design.
It is a perfect choice for medium production requirements. Usually, you will realize significant cost saving.
This manufacturing process is ideal for the production of functional parts that can be tested for performance, fit, and functionality in real-time.
Quick-turn injection molding offers a more cost-effective solution for small production runs thus reducing overall manufacturing expenses.
Fast prototype production, testing and verification lowers the risks during the actual injection molding process for mass production.
During injection molding, speed and efficiency are critical factors during the production process. Actually, it reduces lead times.
Limitations Of Quick Turn Injection Molding
Although quick-turn injection molding has many benefits, it also comes with some limitations. These limitations may include:
High Initial Investment Cost
The whole setup for quick-turn injection molding will set you back a substantial amount. But the long-term benefits of it all are worth investing in.
How the Quick Turn Injection Molding Process Works
The quick turn injection process working mechanism is not very complicated. Although the working mechanism can defer a bit from one molding machine to the other depending on the manufacturer, design, and configurations.
Step 1: First, you must conceptualize the design you wish to make. Once you have the technical drawing, go ahead to make the tooling systems for your quick turn injection molding process.
At this stage, you must also identify the injection molding material.
Step 2: Assemble the injection mold. You can clamp the various parts to ensure they fit properly. You will then melt the material and pour into the mold. It is important to ensure the process conforms to recommended process parameters. This will reduce the injection molding defects.
Step 3: Allow the part to cool and eject it from the injection molding tooling system. You will remove the pins holding the injection molding tooling system. Lastly, you will inspect the injection molded parts for any defects.
Application Of Quick Turn Injection Molding
Prototyping – Quick-turn injection molding is ideal for making prototypes and parts testing. This is because of the quick production cycles and flexibility of making the molds. Some of the prototypes may include electronic device casings, buttons, connectors, and other components.
Wide Range of Production Runs – Some of the parts that can be produced in batches include specialized components such as air ducts, brackets, or interior components for aircraft. Medical components such as syringe parts, surgical instrument handles, or diagnostic equipment housings are also mostly produced in different batches.
Custom Parts – It makes it ideal for a wide range of industries and applications such as the production of industrial equipment, consumer good, and electrical and electronic components.
Types Of Molds For Quick Turn Injection Molding
This type of quick-turn injection molding involves two plates. One is stationary and the other one is movable. They form a mold cavity when they are closed.
As the name suggests, the three plate injection molding process involves a third plate that acts as a separate runner and gate system. This is ideal for manufacturing complex parts.
The heated manifold his enhances fast production cycles and also reduces waste.
These injection molds use ambient temperature manifold. It increases cycle time and it is not very popular in the production process.
Insert mold is the insertion of premanufactured components such as electronic, light, or metal parts into the mold cavity before injection of the molten materials. This is done to integrate the different materials into the final part of the product.