Frequently Asked Questions
This is one of the most common forms of tooling. This will usually be a block of steel or alloy that is precision machined as a reverse image of the part being produced. In its simplest form, it is a two-part mold with an A and a B side that opens and closes with hydraulic pressure. A hopper filled with plastic pellets feeds the machine and injects the plastic into the cavity under high heat and pressure to take the shape of the part being produced within the mold. Once cooled, the two halves of the mold are separated, and the plastic part is ejected from the mold. Once out of the mold, the part is ready for assembly or post-processing which can include painting, chrome plating, or printing with additional elements like a company logo etc. Many everyday household objects are produced in this manner.