What Are the Different Types of Plastic Injection Machines?

Injection molding is a process that combines heat, mechanical force, and a plastic material to create solid and durable parts. The process can also be used to produce components that have different functions or materials such as two-shot moulding, which allows different types of plastic to be combined in one part.

The Injection Process
Injection molded plastic is a type of thermoset or thermoplastic that uses a machine to convert solid pellets into molten plastic. This plastic is then injected into a mold and cooled to create solid parts.
The basic components of an injection molding machine are the barrel, heaters, a nozzle, and a reciprocating screw. As the reciprocating screw moves back and forth, the heating sections melt the raw plastic pellets to create a molten liquid.

Polycarbonate (PC) is a strong, lightweight, and transparent plastic that is highly durable. It is a common material for machinery guards, clear and tinted windows, diffusers and light pipes for LEDs, and clear tubing.

Acetals: These are high-performance plastics that have a combination of toughness and stiffness. They are commonly used to make medical and optical equipment as well as electrical and electronic products.
PS: Polystyrene is a plastic that is lightweight, inexpensive, and resists bacteria and moisture. It can be filled with glass for increased strength or co-polymerized with acrylic for clarity and improved chemical and UV stability.
TPE: Thermoplastic elastomer is another type of plastic that combines the properties of plastic and rubber to create an extremely flexible and durable material. This plastic is commonly used to create gaskets, seals, and closures.