Thin Wall Injection Moulding: Enhancing Efficiency in Plastic Manufacturing

Thin Wall Injection Moulding (3)

In the field of plastic manufacturing, thin wall injection moulding has emerged as a game-changing technique that enables the production of lightweight and intricate plastic components. This innovative manufacturing process has revolutionized various industries, ranging from packaging to automotive, by offering increased efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and design flexibility. In this article, we will explore the concept of thin wall injection moulding, its benefits, applications, and the key considerations involved in implementing this technique successfully.

 

Introduction to Thin Wall Injection Moulding

Thin wall injection moulding refers to the process of producing plastic components with thin walls, typically having a thickness of less than 1mm. It involves injecting molten plastic into a precision-designed mould cavity, which is then rapidly cooled to solidify the plastic and form the desired shape. This technique requires specialized mould design, precise control of injection parameters, and high-performance machinery to achieve the desired results.

 

What hardware is needed to form thin wall injection moulding parts?

The need to produce small, lightweight parts has made thin-wall injection moulding the most important performance addition to injection moulding machines. “Thin wall is usually defined as lightweight electronic parts with a wall thickness of less than 1mm. For large automotive parts, “thin wall” can be 2mm.

In short, thin-wall parts require a change in process: higher pressures and speeds, shorter cooling times, and changes in part ejection and gate alignment. 

The following are the requirements for thin wall injection moulding machines and moulds:

 

Thin Wall Injection Moulding (1)
Thin Wall Injection Moulding (1)

Injection molding machine:

Standard injection moulding machines can be used to produce a wide range of thin-walled products. Advances in materials, gate technology and design have further extended the capabilities of standard injection moulding machines for filling thin-walled parts.

However, as wall thicknesses continue to decrease, a more specialised machine with high speed and high pressure capabilities is required. For example, it is not uncommon for an electronic part less than 1mm thick to have a mould filling time of less than 0.5 seconds and an injection pressure in excess of 210MPa.

Hydraulic machines for thin wall injection moulding are designed with an accumulator to drive frequent injection and mould closing. All-electric injection moulding machines and electric/hydraulic injection moulding machines with high speed and high pressure capabilities are also available. To withstand the high pressures of the new injection moulding machines, the minimum clamp force must be 5 to 7 t/in (projected area).

In addition, large mould plates help to reduce deflection as the injection pressure increases with reduced wall thickness. Injection moulding machines for thin-walled products have a tiebar-to-platen thickness ratio of 2:1 or less. When producing thin-walled products, dead-cycle control of injection speed and pressure and other process parameters helps to control mould filling and pressure retention at high pressures and speeds.

 

Moulds:

Speed is one of the key success factors in thin wall injection moulding. Fast mould filling and high pressure can inject molten thermoplastic into the mould cavity at high speed, preventing the gate from cooling. If a standard part is filled in two seconds, a 25% reduction in mould thickness has the potential to reduce the filling time by 50% to exactly one second.

One of the advantages of thin wall injection moulding is that less material needs to be cooled as the thickness is reduced. As the thickness is reduced, the moulding cycle time can be halved. The melt transfer unit is designed so that the hot runner and sprue do not prevent the moulding cycle from being reduced. The use of hot runners and sprue bushes helps to reduce the moulding cycle time to a minimum. Consideration should also be given to the material used for the mould.

P20 steel is widely used for moulding conventional products, but the higher pressures of thin-wall injection moulding mean that moulds need to be very strong. H-13 and other hard steels provide an extra safety factor for thin-walled moulds. However, the cost of a strong mould can be 30% to 40% higher than a standard mould. However, the increased cost is usually offset by the improved production performance.

 

Advantages of Thin Wall Injection Moulding

Thin wall injection moulding offers a wide range of advantages, making it a preferred choice for manufacturers looking to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve innovative designs in the production of plastic components.

Enhanced Efficiency: 

Thin wall injection moulding enables faster production cycles due to reduced cooling times and shorter injection cycles. This results in increased productivity and higher throughput.

Weight Reduction: 

By using thinner walls, manufacturers can significantly reduce the weight of plastic components without compromising their structural integrity. This leads to material savings and facilitates the production of lightweight products.

Cost Savings: 

The reduced material usage, shorter cycle times, and increased productivity result in cost savings for manufacturers. Thin wall injection moulding offers an economical solution for producing large quantities of lightweight plastic parts.

Design Flexibility: 

The process allows for the creation of complex and intricate geometries that are difficult to achieve with traditional moulding techniques. This opens up new possibilities for innovative product designs.

Improved Product Performance: 

Thin wall injection moulding produces components with superior performance characteristics, such as higher strength-to-weight ratios and enhanced dimensional stability. This is especially beneficial for applications that require lightweight yet durable parts.

Consistent Quality: 

Thin wall injection moulding ensures consistent part quality and dimensional accuracy, thanks to precise control over the injection process parameters. This helps in maintaining uniformity and meeting stringent quality standards.

Versatility: 

The technique can be applied to a wide range of thermoplastic materials, allowing manufacturers to produce diverse products for various industries. It offers versatility in terms of material selection, color options, and surface finishes.

Reduced Environmental Impact: 

Thin wall injection moulding reduces material waste and energy consumption due to the use of thinner walls and shorter cycle times. This aligns with sustainable manufacturing practices and contributes to a greener environment.

Faster Time-to-Market: 

The efficient production process of thin wall injection moulding enables faster turnaround times, reducing the time required to bring products to market. This gives manufacturers a competitive edge in meeting customer demands.

Cost-Effective Tooling: 

The moulds used in thin wall injection moulding can be designed and manufactured at a relatively lower cost compared to complex moulds used in other manufacturing techniques. This makes it a cost-effective option for producing high-volume thin wall components.

Thin Wall Injection Moulding (2)
Thin Wall Injection Moulding (2)

Applications of Thin Wall Injection Moulding Machine

Thin wall injection molding machines have numerous applications across various industries. Here are some common applications of thin-wall injection molding machines:

Packaging Industry: 

Thin wall injection molding machines are extensively used for producing thin-walled plastic packaging containers, such as cups, trays, food containers, lids, and disposable cutlery. These machines enable fast production cycles and high-volume output, making them ideal for mass production in the packaging industry.

Consumer Electronics: 

Thin-wall injection molding machines are employed to manufacture components for consumer electronics, including mobile phone casings, laptop parts, TV bezels, and remote control housings. These machines allow for precise molding of intricate and delicate parts with thin walls and complex geometries.

Automotive Industry: 

Thin wall injection molding machines play a vital role in the automotive sector, particularly in the production of interior components. These machines are used to manufacture items such as door panels, dashboard components, console parts, and interior trims. Thin-wall molding enables lightweight and cost-effective solutions while maintaining structural integrity.

Medical Devices: 

The medical industry benefits from thin wall injection molding machines as they can produce components for medical devices with high precision and consistency. Examples include syringe barrels, medical tubing, connectors, and device casings. The fast cycle times and high repeatability of thin-wall molding machines are critical in meeting the demands of the medical sector.

Housewares and Appliances: 

Thin-wall injection molding machines are utilized for manufacturing various household items like storage containers, kitchenware, cutlery, and small appliance components. These machines enable the production of lightweight, durable, and aesthetically appealing products with thin walls and intricate designs.

Electrical and Lighting Industry: 

Thin-wall injection molding machines are involved in the production of electrical connectors, switches, sockets, and lighting components. These machines facilitate the creation of complex, thin-walled parts with excellent dimensional accuracy, meeting the requirements of the electrical and lighting industry.

Aerospace and Defense: 

Thin wall injection molding machines are used in the aerospace and defense sectors for producing lightweight components, such as aircraft interior parts, instrument panels, and military equipment housings. The ability to mold thin walls with a high strength-to-weight ratio is crucial in these industries.

 

Design Considerations for Thin Wall Molding

Designing for thin-wall molding requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure successful and efficient manufacturing. Here are some key design considerations for thin-wall molding:

Wall Thickness: 

The primary consideration in thin wall molding is the wall thickness of the part. Thin walls reduce material usage, cycle time, and cooling time. However, the wall thickness must still be adequate to provide structural integrity and avoid warping or distortion. It is important to balance the desired part strength with the need for thin walls.

Rib Design: 

Ribs are used to reinforce thin walls and improve the part’s stiffness. They should be designed with a height-to-thickness ratio that minimizes sink marks and ensures proper filling during molding. The ribs should be tapered, if possible, to prevent stress concentration and facilitate material flow.

Draft Angles: 

Incorporating draft angles into the design helps in the easy ejection of the part from the mold. Adequate draft angles prevent the part from sticking to the mold walls and minimize the risk of damage during demolding. Typically, a draft angle of 1 to 2 degrees per side is recommended for thin wall molding.

Gate Placement: 

Proper gate placement is crucial for thin wall molding. The gate should be positioned to allow balanced filling of the mold cavity, minimizing material flow distance and ensuring uniform filling. The gate should also be designed to minimize gate marks on the visible surfaces of the part.

Material Selection: 

Choosing the right material is vital for thin wall molding. The material should have good flow properties, high melt strength, and sufficient stiffness to maintain part integrity with thin walls. Consult with material suppliers or experts to select a material specifically formulated for thin-wall applications.

Cooling Considerations: 

Efficient cooling is essential to achieve faster cycle times and maintain part dimensional stability. Thin walls cool quickly, but proper cooling channel design in the mold is crucial to ensure uniform cooling and avoid warpage or distortion. Cooling should be optimized for effective heat transfer.

Part Geometry and Fillets: 

Sharp corners and abrupt changes in geometry can lead to stress concentration and potential part failure in thin-wall molding. Smooth transitions, gradual fillets, and rounded corners should be incorporated to distribute stress evenly and enhance part strength.

Mold Design: 

The mold design for thin wall molding should account for fast filling and cooling. The mold should have appropriate venting to allow air to escape during injection and prevent trapped air pockets. Precision in mold construction is critical to ensure accurate replication of part details and dimensions.

Mold Release: 

Adequate mold release mechanisms, such as draft, textured surfaces, or release agents, should be considered to facilitate easy part ejection and minimize the risk of damage.

Material Selection for Thin Wall Injection Moulding

When selecting a material for thin-wall injection molding, several factors should be considered to ensure optimal performance and manufacturability. Here are some key considerations for material selection in thin-wall injection molding:

Flowability: 

Thin-wall molding requires a material with excellent flow properties to fill thin and intricate mold cavities effectively. Materials with high melt flow rates (MFR) or melt flow indexes (MFI) are typically preferred. These values indicate the material’s ability to flow under pressure during injection molding. High-flow materials reduce the risk of flow marks, voids, and incomplete filling.

Mechanical Properties: 

The material should possess sufficient mechanical strength to maintain the structural integrity of the thin-wall part. Consider factors such as tensile strength, flexural modulus, impact resistance, and elongation at break. These properties ensure that the part can withstand expected loads, resist deformation, and provide the required functionality.

Wall Thickness Consideration: 

The selected material should be suitable for the desired wall thickness. Some materials are better suited for extremely thin walls due to their high flow properties and ability to fill intricate features. It is important to consult material datasheets and manufacturers to determine the recommended wall thickness range for each material.

Heat Resistance: 

Thin-wall molded parts may be exposed to elevated temperatures during their applications. Choose a material with good heat resistance properties to ensure dimensional stability, prevent warping, and maintain part functionality under high-temperature conditions. Consider factors such as the material’s heat deflection temperature (HDT) and continuous service temperature.

Cooling Rate: 

Thin-wall molding requires rapid cooling to achieve shorter cycle times. Select a material that can cool quickly without significant shrinkage or warping. Materials with high thermal conductivity facilitate efficient heat dissipation, leading to faster cooling and improved productivity.

Quality Control and Testing in Thin Wall Injection Moulding

Quality control and testing play a crucial role in ensuring the success of thin-wall injection molding processes. Here are some key considerations for quality control and testing in thin-wall injection molding:

Dimensional Accuracy: 

Precise dimensional control is essential for thin-wall molded parts. Regular measurements and inspections should be conducted to verify that the dimensions of the parts meet the specified tolerances. Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), optical measurement systems, or other precision measurement tools can be employed for accurate dimensional analysis.

Visual Inspection: 

Visual inspection is necessary to identify any cosmetic defects on the surface of the thin-wall parts, such as flow marks, sink marks, warping, flash, or surface imperfections. Trained inspectors or automated vision systems can be utilized to detect and categorize these defects based on established quality standards.

Wall Thickness Verification: 

Verify the wall thickness of the thin-wall parts at multiple locations using non-destructive methods like ultrasonic thickness testing or laser scanning. This ensures that the parts adhere to the specified thickness requirements and helps identify any variations or inconsistencies that may affect the part’s integrity.

Material Testing: 

Conduct material testing to validate the material’s mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, flexural modulus, impact resistance, and elongation at break. These tests ensure that the material used in thin-wall molding meets the required specifications and provides the desired performance characteristics.

Gate Seal Verification: 

Gate seal verification ensures that the gates used for injecting the molten material into the mold are properly sealed and do not cause any leaks or flash. Leakage or improper sealing can result in defective parts or inconsistent dimensions. Pressure testing or visual inspection can be employed to verify gate seal integrity.

Part Weight Control: 

Control the weight of the thin-wall parts by periodically weighing samples from the production batch. This helps ensure consistency in material usage and helps identify any variations that may affect the part’s performance or functionality.

Mechanical Testing: 

Perform mechanical tests on thin-wall parts, such as tensile tests, flexural tests, or impact tests, to evaluate their strength, stiffness, and impact resistance. These tests verify that the parts meet the required mechanical performance specifications and can withstand the expected loads or stresses in their intended applications.

Statistical Process Control (SPC): 

Implement SPC techniques to monitor and control the manufacturing process. This involves regularly collecting data on critical process parameters such as injection pressure, melt temperature, cooling time, and cycle time. Analyzing this data helps identify any process variations, trends, or abnormalities that may affect part quality, allowing for timely adjustments or corrective actions.

Mold Maintenance: 

Proper maintenance and cleaning of the molds are crucial for ensuring consistent quality in thin-wall molding. Regular mold inspections, cleaning, and maintenance procedures should be implemented to prevent issues such as contamination, wear, or damage that may compromise part quality.

Documentation and Traceability: 

Maintain comprehensive documentation of quality control processes, testing results, and any deviations or corrective actions taken. This documentation ensures traceability, facilitates continuous improvement, and provides a reference for future troubleshooting or analysis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, thin wall injection moulding has emerged as a groundbreaking technique in the realm of plastic manufacturing, revolutionizing the way lightweight and intricate plastic components are produced. With its numerous advantages, this innovative process has become increasingly popular across various industries.

The key advantage of thin wall injection moulding lies in its ability to enhance efficiency. By reducing cooling times and shortening injection cycles, manufacturers can significantly increase productivity and achieve higher throughput. Moreover, the weight reduction achieved through thinner walls not only saves on material costs but also enables the production of lightweight products without compromising structural integrity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Daoben has the SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) and all the production steps must follow up this SOP. Every machine needs at least automatic running over 72 hours and must be inspected carefully before shipment.

Actually, the delivery time of the machines is depended on the machine options. Normally, the delivery time of a standard machine could be within 1-2 months.

12 months warranty after shipment for mechanical parts, hydraulic parts, and electric components excluding the screw and barrel 6 months (not including use for recycled material or reclaimed material).

Yes, Daoben will provide one set of standard spare parts to the customer including a heater, filter, screw head, screw washer, checking ring, sealings, etc.

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