Most of the things that we see and use are made of plastic. The plastic containers, bags and everything else is an essential part of our lives. But it is not hard to observe and think about how plastic is molded into shapes and sizes to help us with our daily needs. It is a complicated process but an interesting one which involves various techniques of molding so that the plastic can be shaped into useable containers.
Thus, the plastic molding process basically refers to shaping the plastic in a desired rigid form. The process is not very tough to understand. This process is used for making all types of objects and containers, ranging from simple to complicated ones. There are many techniques which allow you to shape the plastic in the desired manner but before getting into the details, let us know the history behind the plastic molding process.
The history of plastic molding started somewhere between 1940 and 1950. The molding process was developed and executed in the USA on a small scale and for a relatively small amount of plastic. But around the late 1950s, innovators better understood the process of molding plastic and thus, products and equipment were made for other industries as well. By the early 1960s, there was a revolutionary process developed and executed which allowed molding plastic into large containers and the plastic used was of low density polymer. This helped the industry to flourish more.
Thus, the plastic molding process has been growing ever since and the industry has witnessed a steady growth. Since the 1800s, the industry that started on a small scale is now a huge success. Its products have become an integral part of our lives. Now the industry reaches out too many other significant industries as well, evolving the plastic molding process as it goes, and providing products ranging from small daily use tools and products to large equipment’s in the industrial, medical and aerospace industries.
Various Techniques for Plastic Molding Process
- Plastic can be molded through casting. It is a simple process where the plastic is heated until its fluid and then poured into a cast or mold where it is then kept away to solidify. The cast is then removed after the plastic becomes rigid; the surface is smoothened and worked upon according to the requirements.
- Injection plastic molding process facilitates in making high-quality three-dimensional objects. These are commercially produced where again the plastic is heated until fluid and then injected into a cold, chilled mold. After taking shape, the mold is removed and the object is worked upon.
- Compressing technique is the most labor-intensive form of technique and time-consuming as well. Being a little more complicated than the usual process, they are used for large-scale production rather than mass production. Thus, it cuts down on extensive labor cost. The liquefied plastic is poured into a mold and then it is pressed from the top. The desired shape is squeezed out of the mold and the excess is removed and shaped.
- Rotating technique in the plastic molding process is used for making storage tanks, furniture and toys. The process is used to make containers and objects which are hollow from the inside. It is a complicated technique but not labor intensive. Also, there are companies using this technique for large-scale as well as mass production.
Here we have listed a few facts regarding the evolution of plastics and how the plastic molding process has helped its growth from a small scale industry to now beings used in large scale industries.