cavities and the surface finish. When you are mass producing then this method is ideal because the cost per part will be very low.

When it comes to the pricing the moulds can be very expensive because they need to be steel or aluminium for higher strength and durability. Luckily, as with most methods, the cost per unit drops drastically depending on your production volume.

The moulds that are used in rotational moulding are highly intricate to make products customizable and changeable. This can include things like special inserts and curves as well as logos and slots. These can be placed into the mould to change the final product.

With blow moulding, the custom plastic parts come out hollow and thin-walled. This method is ideal for when the plastic part has to have uniform wall thickness. This is very similar to the process of glass blowing.

Also sometimes called rotomoulding, this method involves the resin or liquid being placed inside the mould and then being rotated at high speeds. The liquid then evenly covers the entire surface of the mould to create a hollowed part with all the walls evenly thick. After the mould is cooled and the liquid plastic has taken its new form it is then taken out of the mould.

When using this method your outcome product will continuously have the same shape along the length of it. These can be things like straws or PVC pipes. These types of parts can be made at very high volumes because it can just keep producing the same shape without end.In comparison, this type of moulding is low cost because the equipment is fairly simple and can have high productivity. The downside to this method is that you are very boxed in when it comes to the variety of parts you can make.

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The most effective use for this method is when you want to make plastic replacement parts for broken metal parts. The reason for this is because the high-temperature method makes for a very strong and durable end product. Even though it is plastic, it is a strong and low-cost replacement for the metal parts.

Filed Under: Our blog Tagged With: acrylic, High-Density Polyethylene, injection molding, Polycarbonate, Polyetherimide, Polypropylene, thermoplastic, transparent plastic, UV resistance

The tooling costs with rotational moulding are lower than other methods like injection and blow moulding. This makes for lower start-up costs and more effective production costs even at low volume production.

The machine heats up the raw plastic until it becomes liquid and then injects air into it like a balloon. The plastic is blown into a shaped mould and as it gets bigger it presses against the mould walls and it starts to take its shape. After the liquid balloon fills the mould it is cooled to keep its shape. The process is very fast and can produce up to 1400 pieces in a 12-hour work day.

This method is very material efficient and very little goes to waste making it more economical and environmentally friendly.

Polyetherimide (PEI) is a common plastic used in industrial, chemical, and mechanical parts. Aside from UV resistance, this thermoplastic is capable of withstanding intense pressure and heat and maintains its chemical stability when in contact with acids. This transparent material is often seen in the automotive, electrical, and medical industry due to its ability to tolerate extreme temperatures and repetitive forces. You’ll find its application in heat shields, temperature sensors, aerospace engine components, and various electrical parts and covers.

Molding clear parts – such as water bottles or food-grade storage items – requires more focused attention to detail and stricter processing controls compared to non-transparent injection molding. Each transparent polymer has varying properties that can influence a company’s decision, including differing levels of strength needs, temperature requirements, and chemical resistance. Even environmental factors such as UV radiation can cause degradation in outdoor equipment utilizing clear plastics. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the best transparent plastic for your needs.

The other forms of plastic moulding also use extrusion so get the raw liquid into the moulds, the difference here is that other methods use the moulds to make the desired shape and here the extrusion itself is making the shape with the use of the die’s shape.

This is a fast and economical friendly option with the mould prices ranging somewhere in between injection moulding and rotational moulding.

With extrusion moulding, hot melted plastic is pressed through a shaped hole to create a lengthy shaped plastic part. This customizable shape that the liquid plastic gets pressed through is called a die. This die is custom made for the particular outcome that is desired. It is almost like pressing dough through a press to make shaped cookies.

Plastic moulding is the process of pouring liquid plastic into a certain container or mould so that it hardens in that customized shape. These plastic moulds can then be used for a wide range of purposed. There are 5 types of plastic moulding that is considered to be the most effective and most popular.

Determining which of these is the best transparent plastic for your needs mostly depends on the functional performance requirements for your industry. There are many thermoplastic properties you need to consider when evaluating the conditions your part will be subject to. Here at Midstate Mold & Engineering, we can help you determine the right type of transparent thermoplastic for your part and can assist with prototype development to ensure integrity. If you have questions about transparent plastic resins or injection molding in general, contact us today.

These 5 types are extrusion moulding, compression moulding, blow moulding, injection moulding and rotational moulding. We will look at the details pertaining to each of these methods so that you can decide which one will be the most effective for you to use.

Injection Moulding is fairly similar to extrusion moulding. The difference here is that with injection moulding the melted plastic is injected directly into a custom mould. The injection is under high pressure so that the mould is filled and a solid part is made. As with the other methods, after the mould is filled, the plastic is cooled as to keep its new shape and then the mould is opened.

This method involves the raw liquid plastic being poured into a heated mould and then being compressed together to form the desired shape. The high temperature of the entire process ensures good strength in the final product. The process is finished off by cooling the liquid plastic so that it keeps its form before being trimmed and removed from the mould.

Blow Moulding is mostly responsible for producing products like plastic bottles, drums, cases and even fuel tanks. If your required number of parts is around the hundreds of thousands then this method is perfect for you (like a soda company).

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a commonly used thermoplastic that is created by applying high heat and pressure to petroleum. Similar to acrylic, it has UV resistance, but it also sports versatility and can be easily molded into various shapes. These features, paired with its inexpensive nature, is why it’s used in mass production of popular items such as bottles, pipes, and containers. However, though more resistant to pressure than acrylic, it’s still susceptible to high-pressure damage.

Also known as PP, polypropylene is commonly used in containers, packaging, and textiles. Its high flexibility makes it an ideal choice for non-loadbearing parts, including working as a living hinge. You will also see it a lot in the textile industry, such as waterproof bags, totes, and gear. It doesn’t react easily with acids and bases, and it’s often used in containers for corrosive materials such as solvents. Likewise, it can be found within electronics due to its high electrical resistance.

Unlike the previous two plastics, polycarbonate is a highly impact-resistant – though more expensive – alternative. It shares the same transparency and UV resistance as acrylic, yet it’s stronger and far less affected by extreme temperatures. This plastic is used for products designed to handle a lot of stress, such as safety goggles, helmets, shields, heavy-duty containers, and safety windows. However, much like acrylic, this plastic tends to absorb moisture, making drying the resin necessary before the injection molding process.

This is a common method to produce a high volume of plastic parts like car parts or even parts for surgical applications. Products can also be made with increased flexibility to suit the needs of designers or engineers.

Acrylic is one of the most common plastics used in outdoor equipment. It’s favorable due to its UV-resistant, clarity, non-toxic, and scratch-proof properties. Its ability to evenly distribute additive applications such as colorants throughout the part during the injection molding process is also why it’s so valued when it comes to items like light fixtures, retail displays, reflectors, and colored lenses. However, the downsides to acrylic are that it’s brittle and inflexible – meaning it’s not ideal for parts undergoing high pressure – and it absorbs moisture, which requires drying the plastic.

The most common use for this method is for big and hollow parts. These parts include car parts, bins, kayaks, road cones, pet houses and storage tanks.