Common questions and answers
There are two main groups of plastics – thermosets and thermoplastics. Thermosetting plastic cannot be melted down without its chemical structure being destroyed.
Moldable thermoplastic
Thermoplastic softens when heated and becomes plastic, i.e. malleable, and is therefore recyclable. Thermoplastics are easier and cheaper to handle when processing compared to thermoplastics, and also have a less negative environmental impact.
Thermosets and thermoplastics are the two main groups of plastics. Thermosets cannot be melted down or reshaped without being destroyed. Thermosets cannot therefore be recycled. Thermoplastics, on the other hand, can be melted down and reshaped several times after manufacturing, which makes it recyclable.
In injection molding, thermoplastics are used. TPE and TPU and other thermoplastics are melted down and injected under high pressure and in a short time into a mold where it then solidifies.
A molding tool is the tool used in manufacturing processes such as injection molding to shape the plastic batch/material into a desired shape. The design of the molding tool is decisive for the end result of the product. The molding tool must be designed so that post-work is minimized and also hold for the planned production volume.
Injection molding is a manufacturing method where granules of thermoplastic are melted and injected (under pressure) into a molding tool. The plastic solidifies and takes the shape of the desired part. The mold is carefully designed to exactly match the specifications of the plastic part.
Injection molding is the most common and efficient method of producing thermoplastic plastic parts. The manufacturing process is faster than many other methods, resulting in a high production rate and thus a cost-effective method.
Injection molding is repeatable, i.e. all parts are practically identical to each other, which is advantageous as it is important to have a uniform and recognizable identity for, for example, a brand across different platforms/channels.