If you’re weighing your electronic component molding needs for your next project, you may be wondering about the process: What are the advantages? What makes this process better than others? How common is this process?
Agape Plastics is an industry leader in plastic injection molding, which is one of the best and most efficient ways to produce electronic components. Learn more about the process, the advantages of injection molding compared to other manufacturing methods, and industries served.
What is Electronic Component Molding?
Electronic component molding begins with the plastic injection molding process, when plastic materials are molded into an exact design for components that will encase electronic pieces.
There are multiple applications for this process used in everyday life, including smartphone cases, keyboard, and housing for circuit boards, to name a few. Applications could be much more advanced, such as electrical connectors or meters, sensors, and industrial test equipment.
What are the Advantages of Plastic Injection Molding for Electronic Components?
The process allows for the creation of complex shapes, precise dimensions, and consistent quality, making it ideal for mass production of various electronic parts.
Streamlined Production
These types of products undergo a highly specific and organized production process. From the beginning, the process offers design flexibility, as computer programs such as Solidworks break down the exact dimensions and specifications of the product before the physical production begins.
With the exact design in place, it allows for precision and accuracy throughout the manufacturing process, which is crucial for long-term success of a given product and leads to minimal defects or need for reruns.
Product Benefits
Products made through the plastic injection molding process can be easily streamlined, resulting in better precision and accuracy during manufacturing. Products will have a longer service life, which provides economic benefits for both clients and manufacturers.
Electronic component molding minimizes waste and enables the use of a wide range of materials, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
Why Use Electronic Component Molding Over Other Processes?
While plastic injection molding isn’t the only way to produce electronic components, it’s arguably the most effective. This process is detailed, accurate, and precise, and produces equipment that’s meant to last. There might be other worthwhile production styles, but they have their drawbacks.
Other Options for Electronic Component Molding
While 3D printing has become popular over the last decade for its speed and cost-effectiveness, it has a few drawbacks. Speed without precision is merely speed. 3D printing has a high potential for missed details during manufacturing, especially if it’s a large volume order. There are only so many materials available for 3D printing as well, and while they are cost-effective, the product won’t last nearly as long.
Another popular process that certainly serves a purpose is CNC machining. This is a highly skilled production method, but like 3D printing, there are some drawbacks in comparison to plastic injection molding. CNC machining is most useful for limited production runs, meaning slower processes. Secondly, the accuracy of products created by CNC machining doesn’t measure up to plastic injection molding, and when it comes to electronic components, the smallest off-measurement could be the difference between a successful component or a defect.
What Industries are Served by Electronic Component Molding?
Electronic component molding applies to a wide range of industries.
- Telecommunications: components like cell phones, landlines, internet equipment, and infrastructure
- Medical: test swabs, implants, and prosthetics.
- Automotive: bumpers, headlights, door handles, and dashboard components
- Industrial electronics: housings, connectors, and structural components
- Consumer electronics: enclosures, components, and flexible displays used in electronics like phones, tablets, and gaming stations
Injection molding is also prevalent in industries like aerospace, defense, and space technology, as well as for household products and packaging.
Trust Agape Plastics Inc. with Your Electronic Component Molding
Agape Plastics is an industry leader in plastic injection molding and has added electronic component molding into its repertoire of services.
Since 1973, it’s been our mission to serve customers with the highest quality products, dynamic and accurate production runs, and robust, readily-available customer service. If you are interested in learning more about electronic component molding, contact us today and we will find a solution that meets your specific needs.