Production toolingFor production, fully hardened steel tooling is the industry standard for the injection moulding process, and normally comes with a 1 million shot warranty. Hardened steel tools are used for high volume production when hundreds to thousands or millions of plastic injection moulded parts are required.

Polylactic acid is a thermoplastic resin made from lactic acid. It can be injection molded, extruded, or cast. It is biodegradable and often used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. However, there are some drawbacks to using polylactic acid for injection molding.

Development toolingBefore embarking on a fully hardened multi-cavity production tool, OGM often recommend designing and manufacturing a single or two cavity “development tool”. Following detailed discussions with the customer, the development tool is often designed to be manufactured in a “metal safe” condition. The aim is to produce a tool that can be tweaked numerous times to fine tune the part geometry until it is correct, and the customer is happy. We then transfer the “lessons learnt” to a larger multi-cavity tool, pursuing a “right first time” approach.

Polylactic Acid, or PLA, is a biodegradable and eco-friendly thermoplastic derived from renewable resources like corn starch. PLA has a wide range of applications, but one of the most popular uses for this material is injection molding. Injection molding is a manufacturing process that involves injecting molten PLA into a mold cavity. This process can be used to create everything from medical devices to packaging. One of the benefits of using PLA for injection molding is that it does not produce harmful emissions during the manufacturing process.

The screw is forced forward from the back end by a hydraulic ram after having been moved forward by the shot of material at the front.

P20 steel is a combination of carbon, chromium, manganese and molybdenum and has great machining and superior polishing properties. Because it is pre-hardened, it doesn’t have to be heated which reduces production lead times. P20 is extremely versatile and is often the first-choice steel for use in plastic injection moulding by product designers and engineers. It is particularly useful for prototypes.

When designing medical injection mould tools, OGM often use stainless steel throughout the tool construction, all the way from the bolster (the outer frame) through to the core and cavity inserts (the parts in contact with the plastic) which could be made in high performance grades such as BÖHLER M333 and Uddeholm Stavax. OGM can supply cores and cavities with latest Conformal Cooling technology, for optimum cycle time performance, using metal additive manufacturing.

At OGM, we have a team of in-house technical experts who can help you with your injection moulding project. Our technical team, with over 40 years combined experience and knowledge, use the latest 3D CAD and Moldflow® simulation software to fine tune your part design for the best outcome.

Why is material choice so important?Your choice of raw material for your injection mould tools is critical. The properties of the materials impact the quality of your final components, determine product reliability and tool lifetime, and overall part cost.

The heated barrel and rotating screw is fed with material from the hopper.By heat, friction, and shear force, the material melted by the rotation of the screw is forced through a check valve to the front.

Another drawback of using polylactic acid for injection molding is that it produces a lot of harmful emissions when it is melted down and molded. These emissions can contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Overall, choosing PLA for injection molding provides many benefits for businesses and consumers. It is a sustainable choice that helps reduce environmental impact, while also being durable and versatile. As the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products continues to grow, PLA will likely become even more popular in the injection molding industry.

One drawback is that polylactic acid has a lower melting point than other plastics. This can cause problems during the injection molding process, as the material may not flow evenly through the machine. Additionally, PLA isn’t as strong as other plastics and isn’t suitable for all applications. It also tends to be more expensive than traditional plastics. Polylactic acid is more brittle than other plastics, so it is more likely to crack or break during the molding process.

Injection molding is a process that injection molds melted plastic into a desired shape. In order to do this, polylactic acid, or PLA, is injected into a mold at high pressure. PLA is a type of thermoplastic, meaning it can be molded when heated and will retain its shape when cooled.

Owen Greenings & Mumford Ltd is the trading name of OGM Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 00742307

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and eco-friendly plastic that has many applications in the injection molding industry. PLA is made from renewable resources, making it a sustainable choice for businesses and consumers alike.

The tool remains closed until the plastic has completely cooled and hardened in the mould tool cavity. This is usually the longest portion of the injection moulding process.

There are several benefits of choosing P20 steel over aluminium when it comes to creating development tools. One of the main reasons is that P20 steel is readily available and an easy to work with material. It can be machined, sparked, wired, welded, and textured. Secondly, P20 is less costly than aluminium and thirdly, and perhaps most importantly P20 is generally more resistant to scratching and similar cosmetic damage than aluminium.

The next moulding is performed by back-moving the screw. The tool opens and the plastic part is ejected. Next, the tool closes, and the injection molding process is repeated at 1.

OGM medical mould tools often conform to SPI class 101, with European grade materials and components, including key elements such as the hot runner system for example. We do this to ensure tool longevity and reliability.

PLA is made from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane, making it a more environmentally friendly option than other types of plastic. It also has a lower melting point than other plastics, so less energy is required to heat it during the injection molding process. In general, the manufacturing process for PLA is similar to that of other plastics, such as ABS or polystyrene.

Polylactic Acid is a versatile plastic that can be used for injection molding, 3D printing, and as a biodegradable material. Polylactic Acid has many benefits over other plastics, including its environmental friendliness and its ability to be molded into complex shapes.

H13 consists of Carbon, Chromium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel and Silicon. It is a robust, strong steel with exceptional resistance to heat, wear and tear, cracking and tempering. H13 is suited to very high-volume production runs and can handle the manufacture of plastic parts that contain abrasives as well as production cycles that have continuous cooling and heating.

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch. PLA has been used in a variety of applications, including food packaging, medical devices, and 3D printing filaments. Injection molding is a process that can be used to create parts and products from thermoplastic materials like PLA. Injection molding involves injecting molten material into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the desired shape.Injection molding is an efficient and cost-effective way to produce large quantities of polylactic acid products.Polylactic Acid is an ideal material for injection molding due to its high melting point and low density.

We work with a leading range of polymer and elastomer suppliers, as well as additive suppliers and chemists to tap into a large knowledge pool to help recommend the best material for your application.

Injection mould tools can be manufactured in several different materials, the most common are P20, H13 steels and aluminium.

PLA is also strong and durable, making it ideal for a wide range of products, from food packaging to medical devices. In addition, PLA can be transparent or opaque, making it versatile for different applications.