Automotive plastic injection molding services play a pivotal role in not only automotive OEMs, but injection molders, third-party design vendors, and even the consumers who get behind the wheel.
Injection molding is used to create numerous components that make up the cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles that are on the road every day. But it’s not enough to just say injection molding creates parts and components, however. Material selection, design considerations for parts, and manufacturing best practices prove to be three key topics to better understand the importance of injection molded parts.
Learn more with Agape Plastics as we dive into these three topics and the impact they have on automotive plastic injection molding services.
Defining Best Materials
Material selection is one of the most important aspects in any manufacturing process. Whether it’s automotive plastic injection molding, metal work, or another form of plastic manufacturing, part application is tied to material selection and making the right choice can be the difference between a highly impactful component compared to a quick defective operation.
As it relates to injection molded components for automotive applications, there are criteria to consider when selecting materials. Structural load, temperature tolerances, part tolerances, chemical exposure, electrical needs, appearance, and cost all factor into material selection.
In most cases, polypropylene will work for automotive applications because of how versatile the material is and its relative low-cost per part, particularly at high volumes. When parts demand tough material with an aesthetically pleasing component, consider using ABS. Other commonly used materials include: nylon, polycarbonate, POM, TPE, and TPU.
Design Considerations
If material selection is 1A in importance, design considerations need to be 1B for automotive plastic injection molding. While the material performs many front-facing operations for any automotive injection molded component, the material has to fit the design as well.
Consistency throughout the design of your component is the most important aspect, starting with wall thickness. Uniform, consistent wall thickness throughout the part lowers the risk of defects such as sink, warp, and uneven shrinkage. Using ribs or bosses can help create uniform wall thickness throughout parts.
When shaping your design, make notes on draft angles, radii, and tolerances in order to improve mold release, minimize stress concentration, improve repeatability, and ease the flow of melted materials into the mold. Additionally, depending on the part’s intended application, appearance considerations such as cosmetic quality need to be made. This is especially true for Class A surfaces.
Manufacturing Best Practices
Manufacturing best practices are certainly going to vary from company to company, but that’s where customers can ask pinpoint specific questions prior to any formal agreement.
Engineering teams should be front-facing with their company’s manufacturing protocols such as how balanced cooling is achieved, proper gate location during molding, and packing pressure control in order to promote stable cycle times and high part quality.
Generally, companies that hold ISO 9001 certifications showcase their demonstrated ability to provide high quality management practices, which incorporate the entire manufacturing operation from design reviews to logistics following production runs. Another key certification to look for from automotive plastic injection molding manufacturers is an IATF 16949 certification.
This certification is awarded by the International Automotive Task Force, a globally-renowned organization focused on quality management systems for automotive manufacturing.
Contact Agape Plastics for Superior Automotive Plastic Injection Molding Services
Agape Plastics is a premier automotive plastic injection molding manufacturer located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our breakthrough in the injection molding space occurred with our two-bolt stud plate created in partnership with GM’s Oldsmobile division. Since that breakthrough in 1983, we’ve served automotive OEMs with our high-quality injection molded parts, backed by our continuous ITAF 16949 certification.
We are a responsible manufacturer as well, indicative through our ISO 14001 certification which shows our demonstrated ability to effectively manage environmental output.
When it comes to automotive plastic injection molding, contact Agape Plastics where we’ll work with your team to create the parts and components you need.