What is Custom Injection Molding Thermoplastic?

Injection Molding Cost Calculator
Online Quotes in 30 Seconds
  • The world’s only 30-second injection molding quote
  • Parts shipped in as little as 15 days

Get your 30 second quote now

Low-Cost Injection Molding Leader

Thermoplastic injection molding is ainjection molding process that produces functional parts by injecting thermoplastic into a custom mold. It is commonly used for prototyping, long-run manufacturing, short-run manufacturing and more. The injection molding process is fast, accurate and is capable of producing high-quality parts with large amounts of detail. A wide variety of products, from consumer to engineeringgrade, can be made. ICOMold has been a leader in producing quality thermoplastic parts for many years by applying the injection molding process. 

Advantages of Custom Injection Molding Thermoplastic 

The primary benefit of thermoplastic injection molding is that it is both costeffective and fast. Injection molding reduces the possibility of undesired sharp edges and produces smooth, finished products that require no further finishing. Thermoplastic injection molding is straightforward, efficient and more reliable than many manufacturing methods. Some of the top advantages of the thermoplastic injection molding process include: 

  • Speed and efficiency: Once the custom injection mold has been made, thousands of parts can be made from one mold. Depending on the mold design’s complexity, an average time of 15 to 30 seconds passes between cycles. 
  • Part complexity: Injection molding is a good fit for complex parts that require uniformity. Since thousands of components can be produced from one mold, each piece is identical. The extremely high pressure used during the process allows a large amount of detail to be added to the part’s design. 
  • Waste reduction: ICOMold shares a commitment to quality, sustainability and optimal safety. Only the required amount of plastic is used to build each part. The excess plastic is recycled, which benefits the environment while minimizing waste. 
  • Low labor costs: The injection molding process is automated and controlled by a single operator or mold technician. This allows for a reduction of labor costs when compared to other manufacturing methods. 
  • Strength: While it is possible to use fillers in the injection molds, these fillers reduce the density of the plastic while being molded and help add to its finished strength after the molding process. The strength and durability of plastics has increased over the years. Modern lightweight thermoplastics can withstand even the most rugged environments. 
  • Versatility in materials and color: Choosing the right material and color for a project are two of the essential factors in creating plastic parts. One mold can produce many variations of your product. Color and material type are relatively easy to change in injection molding machines. 

Common Injection Molding Thermoplastics 

Thermoplastics are polymers that can be liquified through heat application and solidified through cooling. ICOMold can assist you in selecting the best thermoplastic material for your custom project. Below are common thermoplastics used for the injection molding process. 

Injection Mold Thermoplastic Materials  

Injection mold Thermoplastic materials are the plastic that we see in everyday life in phones to kitchen utensils. They make up a large volume of consumer products, industrial and electronic components. 

Injection Mold Thermoplastic Elastomers 

  • Santoprene 
  • Kraton
  • Estane 
  • Pellethane 
  • Hytrel 
  • Sarlink 
  • Polytrope 
  • Elastollan 
  • Dynaflex

Injection mold Thermoplastic elastomers differ slightly from injection mold Thermoplastics. The injection mold Thermoplastic elastomers have properties that are similar to thermoset (rubber) elastomers. These are a combination of rubber and injection mold Thermoplastic materials to make a more elastic type of plastic material. These materials have grown in popularity and are used for everything from tool grips to shampoo bottles. These materials have replaced rubber in many instances as a cost effective solution for improving the grip on pens, tools, surgical instruments and have added color identity and slip resistance to a variety of components.  

Although injection mold Thermoplastic elastomers and injection mold Thermoplastics have replaced rubber in many instances, they cannot replace the resistance to chemical, high temperature, or extreme low temp environments that rubber offers. Da/Pro NE offers injection molding and overmolding of injection mold Thermoplastics and injection mold Thermoplastic elastomer components and hightemperature plastic molding of injection mold Thermoplastics. 

Custom Injection Molding Thermoplastic Process

Thermoplastic material is injected into a custom mold that allows the thermoplastic to take on the desired part’s shape. First, the mold is designed based on a CAD file or an existing part. The twopart custom mold is typically made from steel or aluminum. Next, the thermoplastic resin is heated into a liquid state and then injected into the mold. After the material has been injected, it is cooled and cured. Once set, the part is ejected from the mold and then moves on to post-processing. The injection molding machine is reset and repeats the process. 

Applications of Custom Injection Molding Thermoplastic

Thermoplastic injection molding can be used to make many products across a wide variety of industries. Everything from large car parts to tiny electrical components can be made using thermoplastics. Some common applications of injectionmolded thermoplastic include: 

  • Automotive parts 
  • Packaging 
  • Electronics 
  • Medical equipment 
  • Tools 
  • Instruments 
  • Bottles 
  • Coolers 
  • Phone cases 

ICOMold is a Leader in Plastic
Injection Molding for US Companies

Manufacturing Locations Across National Time Zones
The Fathom Advanced Manufacturing Platform
HEADQUARTERS

1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
ITAR

ARIZONA

444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
ISO 9001:2015
NIST800-171 Compliant
ITAR

COLORADO

7770 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80229
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR

MINNESOTA

13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304

TEXAS

1801 Rowe Lane
Pflugerville, TX 78660
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016

1513 Sam Bass Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 13485:2016

CALIFORNIA

620 3rd Street
Oakland, CA 94607
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR

FLORIDA

14000 N.W. 58th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
ISO 13485:2016


 

NEW YORK

1920 Slaterville Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
ITAR

401 W. Shore Blvd.
Newark, NY 14513
AS9100:2016
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR

ILLINOIS

1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
ISO 9001:2015

1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified