When it comes to manufacturing products there are many options. From 3D printing to thermoforming or custom injection molding. Every process has its pros and cons, and generally speaking the process you choose is best based on the requirements and specifications of your project. For this article, we will focus on the differences between thermoforming and custom injection molding for plastic components.
What Is Thermoforming?
Thermoforming involves taking a sheet of plastic and heating it while it pressed against a female or male mold. A female mold would be a mold that is indented, whereas a male mold is a mold that protrudes. In either case, the plastic cools and is removed from the mold after it was heated. Both vacuum molding and pressure molding are popular types of thermoforming. Thermoforming is often the method chosen for small scale production and shorter production runs. When a product needs to be prototyped and does the same mold will not be used for multiple runs, thermoforming has advantages.
Advantages of Thermoforming
Thermoforming’s chief advantage is that it requires a lower tooling cost than custom injection molding. Thermoforming is often used for quick runs and prototyping since molds are less expensive than the molds and tooling used for custom injection molding.
Disadvantages of Thermoforming
Thermoforming cannot handle intricate designs to the degree that injection molding can. Thermoforming is not as efficient as custom injection molding. Although the molds are less expensive, there is more waste in thermoforming than custom injection molding. Thermoforming is also not ideal for multiple runs or large production quantities.
What Is Injection Molding?
Injection molding is the process of injecting heated molten plastic into a stainless steel or another metal mold. The plastic then cools and is extracted from the mold. This process is perfect for large production quantities as the molds can be used again and again without error. Molds are durable and last long term. Injection molding provides high-quality consistent results for even the most detailed designs.
Advantages of Injection Molding
The chief advantage of injection molding is that it can be used for mass production for multiple runs. A mold is an investment. And although the tooling for injection molding is more expensive, that investment pays off over time. There is a higher degree of quality in injection molding than almost any other system.
Disadvantages of Injection Molding
The molds used for injection molding are an investment for a reason. Because molds are made from stainless steel it is not cost-effective to use injection molding when a part’s shape and design is not finalized. This is why some injection molding companies provide design support upfront. This way companies do not need to worry about making a mistake in their design that would require them to replace their mold.
Custom Injection Molding Company in the Northeast
Lee Plastics Inc is an industry leader for custom injection molding. If you have a project that requires efficiency, high quality, and great customer service, we would like to make a bid. Contact us online to learn more about our services and capabilities.