Let’s assume that you are currently designing a lifesaving medical device made out of plastic, or you’re on the edge of finishing the design for the next big plastic toy. Investing in tooling and equipment is normally a big financial risk. However, you can do this process with ease if you manage your cash flow efficiently.
In recent years, there have been some really good ways of managing financial risks and product development costs. Plastics have become more accessible than ever before. As a result, the use of plastic injection molding in low volume production has been on the rise lately. Quick-turn injection molding is a cost-effective way to get 1-3 thousand pieces made quickly, especially if you need them to be resistant to weather or chemicals.
Many companies update their factory processes to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness. One such approach is injection molding, which can produce complex plastic products quickly while still keeping high product quality. And while 3D printing is getting more advanced, it still can’t produce plastic parts quickly or cheaply enough to be cost-effective. Read on to find out more about how injection molding can help with your low-volume production needs.
Why Are Manufacturers Embracing Plastic Injection Molding For The Production Of Low Volume Batches?
Modern manufacturing has become extremely fast-paced, increasing the demand for businesses to produce goods at a much faster rate. However, plastic production is a complex process and takes a while. As the demand for plastic products has grown, companies that work with plastic must adjust to the changes and remain competitive.
Most injection molds are custom, so they have to be specially designed for the specific product and have all of the necessary abilities. Once they’ve been created, it takes a long time for them to be made with the proper materials. Molds are in high demand in the industry, and design expenses can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to three months. This is unacceptable for businesses that are matching the speed of today’s tech products’ inventions.
Low-volume plastic injection molding is a possible solution to the problems that small-batch companies face. It allows for more rapid production and more flexibility around budget, making it a priority to consider when designing your product. Low-volume plastic injection molding is cost-effective and great for small, medium, or large-sized businesses. It not only helps to cut costs but also allows for much-needed flexibility in different aspects of production.
Cost-effective low volume plastic injection molding solutions
For low-volume injection molding, molds tend to be produced in a way that is similar to regular plastic production. They usually start with a pre-made mold prototype, 2D or 3D design. Afterward, the mold maker uses various processing methods to polish and turn the desired output’s final mold.
Air-forced cooling has been improving manufacturing methods and allows for the production of more parts with an increased fine line feature. Low-volume production molds are significantly cheaper and much faster.
Pre-hardened steel or aluminum molds are perfect for 10,000 to 100,000 molding cycles. They’re lightweight and will save you tons of money by reducing production costs. The process is easier, faster, and more cost-effective.
Benefits Of Low Volume Plastic Injection Molding
Mass-scale manufacturing is expensive and can put a lot of strain on your business budget. Plastic manufacturers find low-volume injection molding to be more profitable and economical. While larger-scale businesses are used to rapid developments and can afford more resources, it’s important to be aware of the needs of smaller businesses. Injection molding is one of the many ways companies can keep going by making low-volume products. This flexibility allows companies to work around their finances and stay competitive in a tough market.
Another benefit of low-volume plastic injection molding is the short lead time it offers. This means that your production process is going to stay ahead of your competitors, which will lead to faster profits. Creating products with a high number of plastic parts has always been considered a huge business opportunity, as it can help you take advantage of the market quickly and make some returns in revenue right away.
Low-volume plastic parts are no different than traditionally made parts, and there’s no tradeoff in quality. They’re more affordable and easier to produce. The only downside is that this technique isn’t always suitable for large-scale production.
Final Words
Injection molding for the low volume production of plastic parts is similar to that of injection molding in mass production, but is substantially cheaper, requiring less initial investment. If you are in the manufacturing industry and expect a certain output of your product and the demand is just below 100,000 pieces per year, this production technique is perfect for you.