Drummond Industries Inc., providing Chicago with custom plastic injection molding services for over 50 years, promises to provide businesses with high-quality plastic parts and products using techniques that are both innovative and proven. Relied upon for precise manufacturing of custom plastic components, deadline-minded scheduling, and an emphasis on efficiency, discover how our family-run business has earned its reputation as an industry-leading Illinois injection molder.
What Is Plastic Injection Molding?
Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process that produces large volumes of identical plastic parts. It involves melting plastic granules and injecting them under high pressure into a mold cavity. This mold is precisely designed to shape the plastic into the desired form. Once the plastic cools and solidifies, it conforms to the shape. The mold then opens, and the part is ejected, ready for any necessary finishing touches.
Plastic injection molding is favored for its efficiency, ability to produce complex shapes with high precision, and suitability for mass production. It’s commonly used in industries ranging from automotive to consumer goods, offering versatility in the types of plastics and finishes that can be used.
Steps In Plastic Injection Molding Projects
Custom plastic injection molding is regarded as the best manufacturing process for producing plastic products. It’s a widely used and trusted approach due to its efficiency, precision, and ability to produce large quantities of parts, either simple or complex, with repeatability. We can work with preexisting designs or assist in early-phase modeling.
- Plastic Parts Design
- Physical Prototype
- Prototype Testing
- Prototype Refinement
- Prototype Approval
- Insert Molding & Overmolding Decisions
- Desired Finish Decisions—Glossy, Semi-Glossy, Matte, Textured
- Injection Molding Manufacturing Runs
With a commitment to delivering high-quality plastic parts and over five decades of manufacturing expertise, we are a trusted partner in the plastic injection molding industry.
How We Design Custom Plastic Components
The process of custom plastic injection molding begins with part design creation. Our skilled engineers utilize computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop a detailed blueprint of your desired part. We then transform this design into a physical prototype to test its functionality, appearance, and compatibility with other components.
From Prototype To Mass Production
Prototypes play a vital role in custom plastic parts creation. They are a tangible representation of the part design, allowing you to evaluate and refine your potential product before proceeding to full-scale production. Prototyping also enables manufacturers to identify potential design flaws, make necessary adjustments, and ensure that the final product meets your requirements.
What Types Of Material Can We Inject?
Our knowledge and experience in plastic injection molding affords us, and in turn our clients, to work with a diverse range of materials and provide comprehensive solutions for a variety of industries.
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
- High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
- Polyamide (Nylon)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyoxymethylene (POM)
- Polystyrene (PS)
This versatility ensures that our facilities are well-equipped to meet the specific needs and material requirements across different custom plastic projects and applications.
Handing Over The Design For Manufacturing At Scale
Once you approve the prototype, your design is ready for production. We utilize the plastic injection molding process to replicate your approved design on a larger scale.
How Does Plastic Injection Molding Work?
- First, we create the metal molds.
- Next, we inject molten thermoplastic resins into the molds under pressure.
- Then, we cool the material almost instantly to form the desired shape.
- Lastly, the resulting parts undergo rigorous quality control checks.
Customization Techniques
Custom plastic injection molding offers additional versatility through insert molding and over-molding techniques.
Insert Molding
Insert molding involves placing preformed inserts, such as metal threads, ceramic, or other plastic parts, into the mold before injecting the molten plastic. This creates a single integrated piece with enhanced functionality and strength and reduces post-processing.
Overmolding
Overmolding, on the other hand, involves layering multiple materials to create a part with unique properties, textures, or color combinations. You might choose this technique to add a handle or grip to your component.
Common Industry Uses For Custom Plastic Products
This manufacturing service is beneficial to a wide range of industries and applications. Manufacturers across sectors such as automotive, consumer goods, electronics, medical devices, and more can benefit from this versatile manufacturing process. Whether producing intricate components, large volumes of parts, or complex assemblies, custom plastic injection molding offers cost-effective and efficient solutions.
What Can Clients Create?
- Telecommunications Adapters
- Car Components
- Consumer Electronics
- Medical Devices
- Windows & Doors
- Food & Beverage Packaging
- Locks, Handles & Accessories
- Building & Construction Tools
- Custom Toys
- Plumbing Components
Advantages Of Custom Plastic Injection Molding
- Cost Efficient—The ability to produce complex parts in large quantities with minimal material waste.
- Design Flexibility—Intricate and detailed part designs can be achieved, allowing for greater design freedom and incorporating features like logos, textures, and complex geometries.
- Consistency & Precision—The automated nature of this process ensures consistent quality and precise replication of parts, meeting tight tolerances and specifications.
- Shorter Lead Times—The efficiency of the injection molding process, coupled with the ability to produce large volumes of parts, reduces lead times, enabling faster time-to-market for products.
Save On Superior Parts With Plastic Injection Molding
If you’re seeking efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality custom parts production, you can rely on Drummond Industries, Inc. and our decades of service in Chicago, IL. Whether you’re exploring the first steps or have a design ready for a run, contact us and unlock dedicated customer service, precision manufacturing, and even customer warehousing.
