Plastics Process Selection - Process Features
Plastics Process Selection - Process Features |
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Process selection is extremely important with plastics processing. Generally the features of the desired article or product define the process and the process then starts to define the materials that can be used. The elimination of some materials from the possible range starts the materials selection process.
Consult a plastics technologist when in doubt!
Process
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Extrusion
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Injection Moulding
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Blow Moulding
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Rotational Moulding
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Thermo-forming
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Equipment Cost |
High |
High |
High |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Tooling Cost |
Moderate |
High |
Moderate |
Low |
Low |
Cycle Time |
Continuous |
<1 min |
<1 min |
>3 min |
1-3 min |
Economic Quantity |
>5Km |
>10K |
>10K |
100 - 10K |
100 - 10K |
Precision |
Good |
Good |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Low |
Wall Thickness Control |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Open-ended Hollows |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Enclosed Hollows |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Very Small Items |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Complicated / Intricate Shapes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Large Enclosed Volumes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Inserts |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Moulded-in Holes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Threads |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Last edited: 29/03/04
© Tangram Technology Ltd. 1998
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