A plastic filling granulate mixture (plastic pellets, colorant, or recycled material) is fed into the hopper. The hopper is a tank that supplies the injection molding machine with the pellets, while also ensuring plastic material is moisture-free.
Next, the pellets flow from the hopper to the barrel, where the heating elements and the reciprocating screw are found. The pellets are caught within the flights of the screw and are pushed forward as the screw rotates. The screw also pushes the pellets along the sides of the barrel, which creates the friction needed to melt the plastic. Additional heat is supplied by the heater bands.
The molten mixture is then pushed to the front of the screw through flutes, which are indentations on the screw tip. The front of the screw also acts as a plunger. When there is enough plastic in front of the screw, the screw pushes forward forcing the molten material into the molds. The molten plastic cannot flow backward through the flutes, as a check ring acts as a one-way valve.
The molten material then fills the mold, forcing air out. The air escapes through tiny vents that are too small for the plastic to escape.
The plastic material cools (with help of coolant or water) and the mold is opened. Ejector pins then push the plastic unit out of the mold.
Any excessive plastic is then ground down to complete a fully closed-loop solution to minimize waste. This computer-controlled system automatically repeats to produce large unit quantities at high speeds and accuracy.
Plascon Plastics has the expertise to help you minimize these downsides.
Plascon Plastics are pioneers in the sustainability aspect of injection molding. We invest in research to increase the efficiency of recycling plants while building technologies to improve current injection molding techniques. We also work with PCR such as ocean plastic and recycled consumer waste.
Plascon Plastics holds multiple patents to injection mold with waste stream materials, such as car tires. Car tire recycling is often done with compression molding; an expensive and labour investive process. However, using our technology, car tires can be injection molded into countless different products.
