Molding has been a part of human history since ancient times. It all started with sand casting, in which molten metal was poured into sand molds to form the desired shape. Continuous and progressive development in this discipline has evolved it into something extremely useful for manufacturing a plethora of products worldwide. One of the results of this development was "Thermoplastic Molding." Read More…
For 50 years, LTM Plastics has been a leading manufacturer of injection molded plastics. When working with LTM Plastics, our customers can be assured that they are getting high quality products at a competitive price. We pride ourselves on our team’s communication and collaboration with our customers to meet their needs.
If you are in need of injection molded plastic parts that are of consistent quality, look no further than MSI Mold! We have over 30 years of experience in design, production, and tooling of custom plastic parts.
Performance Engineered Products, Inc. is a dynamic and innovative company, and we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the injection molded plastics industry. With a rich history dating back to 1981, we have consistently demonstrated our commitment to excellence in both products and services.
We may have started small, but today, we offer our products and services to companies around the world. We are dedicated to our customers, and our goal is to offer better service and pricing to any customer no matter the size.
Hi-Rel Plastics & Molding, Inc. offers injection molding for a variety of industries. We can process an almost infinite variety of thermoplastic resins, our prices are competitive, our delivery is on time, and we provide superior customer service. Value-added services include label application, assembly services, and custom packaging and shipping. Our team has the knowledge and expertise to...
As one of the Midwest’s oldest plastic molders, Koller-Craft has craftsmanship built into its name. We take pride in our quality injection molding work. Large to small parts, short to long runs. Excelling at product design, prototyping, close tolerance molding, insert molding & secondary services.
A leader in the plastic processing industry for over 70 years, Aptyx provides a range of manufacturing services including injection, blow and dip molding, extrusion, and assembly. Within injection molding we are deeply experienced in complex processes such as over molding, two-shot molding and insert molding. With a focus on delivering high-quality product and exceptional customer service, you...
Valencia Plastics is your leading full-service injection molded plastics manufacturer. Our products are made with various materials, including urethane, polyurethane, nylon, acrylic, and polycarbonate. We offer a wide range of sizes from miniature items up to 7 lbs. large parts. We are ISO 9001:2015 compliant. Industries we serve include electrical, military, automotive, aerospace, and...
Abtec, Inc. is a manufacturer of injection molded thermoplastics for high-tech OEMs. Since 1981, we have provided quality injection molded plastics and engineering services to such industries as automotive, aerospace, dental, electronics, food handling, nuclear, reprographics and more. Our 21,000 square feet building operates 24-hours a day, 5 days a week. Contact us today!
You won’t find better quality injection molded plastics anywhere else in the industry. We have built ourselves up from a small manufacturing company to a large company with decades of experience.
More Thermoplastic Molding Companies
Thermoplastic is a polymer resin composition that becomes soft when heated; when cooled, it hardens into desirable products. Thermoplastics are easy to recycle because they don't undergo any chemical property changes when heated or cooled repeatedly.
Introduction to Thermoplastic Molding
In the reversible molding process known as thermoplastic molding, plastic pellets are first melted, then pressed into a mold to take on their final shape, and finally fast-cooled to harden. With a high degree of accuracy and surface polish, thermoplastic injection molding can be utilized to make anything from cell phone cases to car door panels.
Thermoplastic molding is a faster way to make plastic than other techniques because of its extremely high production rate. This indicates that thermoplastic molding is a very economical and effective method of producing plastic, leading to it becoming the industry norm for making plastic components.
Thermoplastic Molding Vs. Thermoset Molding
Thermoplastics and thermosets are both polymer resins, but they differ when exposed to heat. Thermoplastics become soft under heat, while thermosets retain their shape. This causes significant differences between them, mainly in their applications and usage. Moreover, when these materials are used in molding methods, they exhibit differences as follows:
| Thermoplastic Molding | Thermoset Molding |
|---|---|
| The cold material is injected into the hot mold. | The plastic is first melted and then injected. |
| It can't be reshaped or re-molded. | It can be easily re-molded or reshaped. |
| This process forms a permanent chemical bond. | This process is completely reversible and does not form a chemical bond. |
| The process does not require high heat or increased pressure. | The process requires a significant amount of heat and high pressure. |
| Thermosets are formed by the phenomenon of condensation polymerization. | Thermoplastics are formed through the phenomenon of additional polymerization. |
| Thermoset injection molding produces: the handles of tools, pool balls, insulation, computer parts, television parts, any electronic equipment, gardening tools, tools, sprockets, and cooking utensils. | Thermoplastic injection molding produces: vacuum cleaners, toys, machine screws, gear wheels, kettles, packing film, sacks, power tool casings, toasters, gas pipes, and fittings. |
Benefits of Thermoplastic Molding
Following are some of the benefits of thermoplastic molding:
- High Efficiency: Compared to other techniques, this procedure is exceptionally quick, and the high output rate makes it even more effective and economical. The amount of time between cycles depends on the intricacy and size of the mold, but it often takes only 15 to 120 seconds.
- Complex Part Production: Thermoplastic molding produces millions of extremely complicated pieces, nearly identical, consistent, and extremely complicated pieces.
- Cost Efficient Method: In comparison to other methods of molding, labor expenses for thermoplastic molding are often inexpensive. Its cost-effectiveness is aided by the parts' capacity to be produced at a high level and production rate.
