Selecting materials for automotive injection molded parts depends on factors such as temperature resistance, chemical resistance, impact resistance, UV stability, aesthetics, mechanical properties, cost, specific application requirements and regulatory compliance. Manufacturers must consider these factors to ensure the parts can withstand the specific environmental conditions they will encounter while delivering the desired performance and longevity.

It’s important to understand what materials are being used and their ability to bond to each other. A mechanical bond is necessary—with details and holes in the part design—but some materials do not like to adhere to each other. Most of my experience is with using TPE or TPU as the second shot and PP, PC/ABS, or ABS as the first shot (substrate). There are also cases were the same material with different colors or additives is used for two-shot molding.

High Precision and Surface Finish: Injection molding delivers high precision in the production of automotive parts, ensuring tight tolerances and dimensional accuracy. It also enables the creation of smooth surface finishes, enhancing the visual appeal and aesthetics of the final products.

Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.

In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.

More than four years on, there are aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic that linger in their impacts to the plastics market and are made visible in our annual survey.

With a rotary-platen mold, it is critical to have locators on the mold and the machine platens to ensure that it is exactly on center of the rotary platen. If the mold is not exactly on center, you will have alignment issues; when the mold rotates 180° it can damage the leader pins, bushings, and shutoffs. It is also important to consider tonnage with part surface area. In most cases your cavities will be off-center—first shot on one half and second shot on the other half—so you will not have full advantage of the machine tonnage to compensate for the cavity plastic pressure.

You also need to make sure the first-shot part is supported in the second-shot cavities to prevent the second-Shot cavity pressure from deforming or compressing the first-shot material. I have seen many times where the first-shot part was not supported properly, which contributed to flash and deformed parts. Remember that the second shot is applying thousands of pounds of plastic pressure against the first-shot plastic, not just the steel.

Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.

These three injection molding techniques offer distinct advantages and are chosen based on the specific requirements of automotive components, including material properties, performance characteristics, and desired end-use applications.

In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.

Repeatability: Injection molding ensures consistent and repeatable production of automotive parts, maintaining dimensional accuracy and minimizing variations between each part.

Join this webinar to explore the transformative benefits of retrofitting your existing injection molding machines (IMMs). Engel will guide you through upgrading your equipment to enhance monitoring, control and adaptability — all while integrating digital technologies. You'll learn about the latest trends in IMM retrofitting (including Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits) and discover how to future-proof your machines for a competitive edge. With insights from industry experts, it'll walk you through the decision-making process, ensuring you make informed choices that drive your business forward. Agenda: Maximize the value of your current IMMs through strategic retrofitting Learn how to integrate digital technologies to enhance monitoring and control Explore the benefits of Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits Understand how retrofitting can help meet new product demands and improve adaptability Discover how Engel can support your retrofitting needs, from free consultations to execution

Advanced Materials: Utilizing high-performance thermoplastics, composites, and bio-based materials for stronger and more durable automotive components.

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

AIM Processing has parlayed small part molding expertise and aggressive automation, even for short run production, into a highly successful custom molding business.

Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.

Different automotive parts has different environments. Then we should used different materials to meet the various working condition.

Typical production timelines and lead times for injection molded automotive parts can vary depending on factors such as part complexity, quantities, tooling requirements, and supplier capabilities. However, they generally range from a few weeks to a few months.

These advancements in automotive injection molding focus on creating lighter, stronger, smarter, and more sustainable components that meet industry standards and customer demands.

Plastic injection molding started being used in the auto industry in the mid-20th century. It gained popularity as a lightweight alternative to metal components. Advancements in materials and technology allowed for the production of more complex automotive parts. Over time, injection molding became dominant, driven by light-weighting initiatives and stricter regulations. Today, it plays a crucial role in producing various automotive components.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

Join Engel in exploring the future of battery molding technology. Discover advancements in thermoplastic composites for battery housings, innovative automation solutions and the latest in large-tonnage equipment designed for e-mobility — all with a focus on cost-efficient solutions. Agenda: Learn about cutting-edge thermoplastic composites for durable, sustainable and cost-efficient battery housings Explore advanced automation concepts for efficient and scalable production See the latest large-tonnage equipment and technology innovations for e-mobility solutions

Our team of skilled engineers and technicians works closely with automotive clients to develop and produce components that meet their exact specifications and quality standards. By choosing our automotive injection molding services, automotive manufacturers and suppliers can benefit from our expertise, quality assurance, and timely delivery. We are dedicated to supporting the automotive industry by providing innovative and reliable injection molding solutions for their specific application needs.

Moretto offers plastics processors and micromolders for a broad suite of auxiliary solutions targeted specifically for precision processing.

Multi-Material and Overmolding: Combining different materials in a single injection molding process to create complex and integrated parts.

Exterior Components: It is included bumpers, grilles, body panels, fenders, door handles, mirror housings, lighting components (headlamps, taillights), wheel covers, and aerodynamic components. These parts face varying weather conditions, UV exposure, impacts, and aerodynamic forces. So we should choose weather-able thermoplastics like ABS, PC/ABS blends, PC, PMMA, and reinforced composites for strength and impact resistance.

This 1-day technical conference and exhibition showcases innovative developments in materials, processing and equipment for the additive manufacturing industry. This conference is specifically designed to inform, update and educate plastic processors about implementing new additive manufacturing technologies. Hear technical presentations on the newest advances in additive manufacturing related to: design, materials development, processing equipment and enabling technologies, new applications and more. See exhibits from engineering plastic suppliers, compounders, molders, design and engineering firms and machinery suppliers. Experts will show you how to apply the latest technologies to your next project or program. The conference includes a full day of technical presentations, plenary and keynote presentations on business trends; breakfast, lunch and breaks; exhibits of advanced technologies and an evening networking reception.   Note: Additive Manufacturing Media executive editor Stephanie Hendrixson will moderate the Supporting AM Adoption in Northeast Ohio panel at 11:20 a.m.

Advantages: Good impact resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability. It can be easily processed, has excellent surface finish, and is cost-effective.

An overview on the use of chemical foaming agents (CFAs) to successfully foam single and multilayered rotational molding parts, this webinar will illustrate the multiple benefits rotational molders can achieve, including reducing resin consumption, decreasing part weight, enhancing wall thickness and improving structural rigidity. Agenda: Charging the mold Dosing ratios Venting Optimal decomposition temperatures, cycle times and drop times for drop box applications Cooling considerations

Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.

Currier Plastics had a major stake in small hotel amenity bottles until state legislators banned them. Here’s how Currier adapted to that challenge.

Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.

Design Flexibility: Injection molding allows for intricate and complex part designs, enabling automotive manufacturers to create innovative components with integrated functionalities, optimizing space utilization, and achieving light-weighting goals.

Those not familiar with two-shot injection molding may assume that it’s complex. Yes, it adds another element to part production by involving a second material and process, but it’s not really all that complicated.

This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.

This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.

Advantages: High flexibility, abrasion resistance, and good impact resistance. It offers excellent cushioning properties and can be molded into various shapes.

August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.

This CW Tech Days virtual event will explore the technologies, materials and strategies used by composites manufacturers working in the evolving space market. Presentations from industry experts will emphasize the use of composite materials in applications requiring the weight savings, structural benefits and ability to withstand extreme temperatures that only composites can provide.

Injection molding services find extensive application in the automobile industry for producing a wide range of components. These include interior parts like dashboards, door panels, and seating components, exterior parts like bumpers and body panels, as well as under-the-hood components. There is a comprehensive guide to automotive injection molding.

As a manufacturer offering injection molding services, Zhongde specializes in automotive injection molding. Our automotive injection molding services cater to the specific needs of the automotive sector, providing high-quality components that meet the industry’s stringent requirements. We utilize advanced injection molding technology and processes to manufacture parts such as interior trims, door panels, dashboard components, exterior body parts, lighting components, and more.

Color Options: Injection molding allows for the incorporation of a vast array of colors into automotive components. By utilizing colorants and masterbatches, manufacturers can achieve consistent and vibrant color options to match branding, styling, or functional requirements.

In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

Plastics Technology covers technical and business Information for Plastics Processors in Injection Molding, Extrusion, Blow Molding, Plastic Additives, Compounding, Plastic Materials, and Resin Pricing. About Us

Join KraussMaffei for an insightful webinar designed for industry professionals, engineers and anyone interested in the manufacturing processes of PVC pipes. This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the technology behind the production of high-quality PVC pipes: from raw material preparation to final product testing. Agenda: Introduction to PVC extrusion: overview of the basic principles of PVC pipe extrusion — including the process of melting and shaping PVC resin into pipe forms Equipment and machinery: detailed explanation of the key equipment involved — such as extruders, dies and cooling systems — and their roles in the extrusion process Process parameters: insight into the critical process parameters like temperature, pressure and cooling rates that influence the quality and consistency of the final PVC pipes Energy efficiency: examination of ways to save material and energy use when extruding PVC pipe products

Rotary two-shot molding, from my perspective, is the simplest version of the options, But there are still critical things to consider, such as tooling, crush, support and the processes for both shots. In this article, I will focus on the version of the process that uses a rotary platen. The tool itself can have a rotary plate built in, actuated by hydraulics or a rack system. This makes the tooling a little more complex and typically is used when the molder does not do a lot of two-shot molding.

Concerning tool design, you need to make sure the first-shot cavity has support against the second-shot cavity pressure. At times, ribs or undercuts are needed to hold the first shot in place to prevent flash and deformation. Make sure your hydraulic cylinders actuating the cores are robust enough to resist the cavity plastic pressure or you will be struggling with flash and narrow process windows.

There are a few variations of two-shot molding, including rotary platen, movable core, and overmold. The first two require a second injection unit, two runner systems, and two processes. The latter, in most cases, involves two separate molds—one for each material—but can also be run with one mold, two runner systems, and pick-and-place part transfer, either manually or with a robot.

There are five specific areas that designers and manufacturers need to consider to realize the potential of these unique materials.

As I mentioned, the movable/rotating half contains the first-shot cavities and the stationary half contains cavities for the first shot and the second shot. After injection, the mold rotates to align the first shot with the second-shot cavity. So in one cycle you are molding the first shot with the base material and molding the second-shot material over the first-shot parts from the previous cycle. There are two sets of ejector plates because you are only ejecting the parts with both materials molded, leaving the others to have the second shot molded. There are two important things to consider in the tool design for the first shot when it is in the second-shot position: crush and support.

After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

Advantages: Good chemical resistance, flame retardancy, and electrical insulation properties. It is durable and provides good weather ability.

In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

With advocacy, communication and sustainability as three main pillars, Seaholm leads a trade association to NPE that ‘is more active today than we have ever been.’

The other version of two-shot molding is the movable core, which does not require a rotary platen. The cavitation will be like a normal mold: one part, one cavity. The movable cores move internally to adjust for the second shot. The mold closes and injects the first shot; then the first-shot core/slide is pulled, the second-shot core/slide is set, and then the second shot is injected. There are cases where there is just one core/slide, which pulls back after the first shot and creates the cavity for the second shot. In either case, the setup and process are the same.

Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.

Sustainability continues to dominate new additives technology, but upping performance is also evident. Most of the new additives have been targeted to commodity resins and particularly polyolefins.

The rotary platen option itself may have two very different meanings to some molders. The simpler one—which I am addressing here—is a vertical platen on one face of the clamp that rotates on a horizontal axis. The other—far more complex—is often referred to as a “cube mold” or “spin stack.” It is a center stack with two or four faces that rotates on a vertical axis. This creates a multi-daylight stack-mold configuration, which is the most complex and costly version of a rotary two-shot mold.

Crush would be defined as the shutoff to prevent the second-shot material from flashing or bleeding out onto the first-shot plastic where it doesn’t belong. Crush is a raised area of cavity steel that presses into the first shot to prevent flash, typically 0.003-0.005 in. Also, in areas with thicker wall stock on the first shot, you may have to add extra crush to compensate for the extra shrinkage. You can crush by adding steel to the second-shot shutoff or adding first-shot material by removing steel.

Cost-effectiveness: Injection molding offers cost advantages for high-volume production, as it enables efficient and rapid manufacturing of automotive components, reducing overall production costs.

Interior Components: Included interior components included Instrument panels, consoles, steering wheels, seating components (seat frames, armrests, headrests), door trims, dashboard components, interior handles, air vents, storage compartments, and trim panels. These parts experience temperature fluctuations, sunlight exposure, mechanical loads, and passenger comfort requirements. So we should choose aesthetic and high-quality thermoplastics like ABS, PC/ABS blends, PP, TPO, TPU, and soft-touch materials for enhanced comfort and durability.

Advantages: Transparent, excellent optical properties, good weather ability, and high surface gloss. It provides good impact resistance and can be easily molded.

Injection molding flow marks are a common injection molding defect. While flow marks generally do not influence the structural integrity

High Quality and Durability: Injection-molded automotive parts exhibit excellent quality and durability, meeting the demanding performance requirements of the automotive industry, including strength, impact resistance, and chemical resistance.

In a time where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, the food and beverage packaging industry is required to be at the forefront of this innovation. By adopting circular packaging processes and solutions, producers can meet regulatory requirements while also satisfying consumer demand and enhancing brand reputation. Join Husky to learn more about the broader implications of the circular economy — as well as how leading brands are leveraging this opportunity to reduce costs, increase design flexibility and boost product differentiation. Agenda: The cost and operational benefits of embracing circularity Key materials in circular packaging — including rPET and emerging bioplastics How to design a circular food and beverage package Strategies for selecting sustainable closures to future-proof packaging solutions Optimization and streamlining of production processes for enhanced efficiency How Husky Technologies can enable your sustainable success

Injection molding can still be cost-effective for small-volume production of automotive parts if the tooling costs can be spread across multiple units and the benefits of injection molding, such as high efficiency and repeatability, outweigh alternative manufacturing methods.

Over the years, I have preached about robust process windows. In two-shot molding, this becomes a greater focus with another variable involved. People often will process the first shot to address issues with the second-shot process, or the opposite. Crush, support, deflection, and inadequately sized cylinders can all contribute to issues that many molders will process around, putting them at risk for quality issues and scrap.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Kerkstra has been in the plastics industry for more than 26 years, occupied frequently with troubleshooting injection molding. He is currently a tooling manager for a large, multi-plant molding and manufacturing company. Contact: kbmoldingsolutions@gmail.com.

It is important to consult with material suppliers and consider specific automotive industry standards and regulations while selecting materials for injection molding. Conducting mechanical testing and evaluating material performance in the intended application conditions are also recommended to ensure optimal material selection.

Plastics Technology Top Shops Benchmarking Survey provided both unanimous responses and divided results, but pervasive throughout is the sense of an industry still grappling with the aftermath of 2020’s global pandemic.

Material Availability: Injection molding supports a wide range of plastic materials, providing automotive manufacturers with abundant options to select materials that best meet their performance, safety, and cost requirements.

technotrans says climate protection, energy efficiency and customization will be key discussion topics at PTXPO as it displays its protemp flow 6 ultrasonic eco and the teco cs 90t 9.1 TCUs.

Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.

Advantages: Offer high strength-to-weight ratios, stiffness, and thermal stability. Reinforcements such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, or natural fibers enhance the material properties.

Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.

Improved Surface Finishes: Enhancing aesthetics through advanced mold design, texturing techniques, and high-gloss finishes.

Today, more than ever, granulation is an important step in the total production process. Our expert explains a few of the many common traps to avoid when thinking about granulators

Improvements in nozzle design in recent years overcome some of the limitations of previous filter, mixing, and shut-off nozzles.

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

Have you ever noticed a whitening phenomenon in PVC product whitening? Some of your transparent PVC products, like shower curtains

Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.

What are the basic building blocks of plastics and how do they affect the processing of that material and its potential applications in the real world? Meet the repeat unit.

Discover how artifical intelligence is revolutionizing plastics processing. Hear from industry experts on the future impact of AI on your operations and envision a fully interconnected plant.

Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.

Yes, injection molding is capable of accommodating complex and intricate automotive part designs, thanks to advanced mold design and manufacturing techniques that enable the production of highly detailed and intricate features with precision and consistency.

While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.

Your problem may be related to tooling, material, processing, or combinations thereof. Here’s how to find the root cause.

Automotive manufacturers choose injection molding because it offers lightweight components, design flexibility, cost efficiency, durability, and improved aesthetics. It allows for the production of complex designs, integrated functionalities, and high-volume production. Injection molding provides durability, resistance to harsh conditions, precise surface finishes, and rapid prototyping capabilities. It also supports environmental sustainability through the use of recycled materials and reduced waste. These factors make injection molding a preferred choice for automotive manufacturing.

Digitization and Simulation: Employing digital tools like CAD, CAE, and simulation software for optimized design and faster development cycles.

Advantages: Lightweight, high chemical resistance, good impact strength, and flexibility. It is cost-effective and offers good processability.

In many cases, decreasing the discharge temperature will improve product quality and perhaps even boost rate. Here are ways to do it.

Smart and Connected Components: Incorporating sensors, electronics, and connectivity features directly into injection-molded parts for intelligent and interconnected systems.

Process Optimization and Automation: Implementing automation and robotics to enhance efficiency, precision, and consistency while reducing labor costs.

Sustainable Manufacturing: Emphasizing eco-friendly practices by using recycled materials, reducing energy consumption, and managing waste efficiently.

Plastics Technology’s Tech Days is back! Every Tuesday in October, a series of five online presentations will be given by industry supplier around the following topics:  Injection Molding — New Technologies, Efficiencies Film Extrusion — New Technologies, Efficiencies Upstream/Downstream Operations Injection Molding — Sustainability Extrusion — Compounding Coming out of NPE2024, PT identified a variety of topics, technologies and trends that are driving and shaping the evolution of plastic products manufacturing — from recycling/recyclability and energy optimization to AI-based process control and automation implementation. PT Tech Days is designed to provide a robust, curated, accessible platform through which plastics professionals can explore these trends, have direct access to subject-matter experts and develop strategies for applying solutions in their operations.

Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.

When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

Advantages: High strength, excellent heat resistance, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability. It offers good impact resistance and can withstand high temperatures.

Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.

With the simpler rotary platen, as defined above, the tooling itself is not that complex; you just have a second runner system and two sets of ejector plates. The movable half is the half that rotates. If you are producing one part per cycle, there will be two ejector cavities (movable half) and two cover cavities (stationary half). The two ejector cavities will be identical, and the cover cavities will have one for the first shot and one for the second shot. So the pattern continues with multiple parts: Two parts in each cycle would have four ejector cavities and four cover cavities. Again, the four ejector cavities would be identical and the cover cavies would have two cavities for the first shot and two cavities for the second shot.

Join Wittmann for an engaging webinar on the transformative impact of manufacturing execution systems (MES) in the plastic injection molding industry. Discover how MES enhances production efficiency, quality control and real-time monitoring while also reducing downtime. It will explore the integration of MES with existing systems, emphasizing compliance and traceability for automotive and medical sectors. Learn about the latest advancements in IoT and AI technologies and how they drive innovation and continuous improvement in MES. Agenda: Overview of MES benefits What is MES? Definition, role and brief history Historical perspective and evolution Longevity and analytics Connectivity: importance, standards and integration Advantages of MES: efficiency, real-time data, traceability and cost savings Emerging technologies: IoT and AI in MES

Components Under the Hood: It is included engine covers, air intake systems, cooling system components, fuel system components, brackets, housings, and electrical connectors. These parts are exposed to high temperatures, engine fluids, vibrations, and mechanical stresses. So we should choose heat-resistant engineering plastics such as PA6/PA66, PPS, PEEK, and reinforced composites.

The injection mold structure and design directly influence various aspects of the final product, including its dimensional accuracy, surface finish,

Despite price increase nominations going into second quarter, it appeared there was potential for generally flat pricing with the exception of a major downward correction for PP.