5 TIPS TO MINIMIZE CYCLE TIME DURING INJECTION MOLDING

You’re probably familiar with the old adage ‘time is money,’ but if you’re like most of us you might have a harder time actually putting this principle into practice. Cutting down cycle times, even fractionally, can be a challenge and it often requires a significant amount of trial and error to successfully reduce manufacturing time without sacrificing quality.

Thankfully, there are several different things you can do to reduce your injection mold cycle time without negatively affecting the quality and durability of your manufactured parts, components and products.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CUT DOWN ON CYCLE TIME

1. Make wise choices about materials: The type of materials you select can make a big difference when it comes to the length of the injection molding process. Certain materials will flow faster to fill mold cavities faster than others. These speeds can have a major impact on injection mold cycle times.
2. Consider the condition of your equipment and machinery: As injection molding machinery ages, it tends to become less efficient. Inconsistent speeds and pressure levels can lead to longer injection cycles, not to mention the increased likelihood of defective part production. These effects over time are why many injection molders, including KASO, invest often in new, modern equipment that is optimized for efficiency. You should ensure that all of your injection molding equipment is up to date and in good condition. You can also extend the life of your equipment by servicing it regularly and getting small repairs completed in a timely manner as needed.
3. Reduce part wall thickness: Reducing the wall thickness of your injection molded parts can save you a significant amount of material. Not only will this minimize the amount of time it takes for injection molding, it also allows you to reduce costs at the same time. Working with an experienced engineer, you’ll be able to determine the minimum wall thickness necessary to maintain the strength and structural integrity of your components.
4. Review mold tooling design: Your injection mold’s design may be keeping your plastic parts from cooling as quickly and effectively as they could be. It’s important to examine your tooling designs with a plastic injection mold specialist to determine whether your mold could be more effective with additional cooling channels or other features.
5. Ask for expert advice: Without an extensive background in injection molding and tooling engineering, you may not be able to cut down on your manufacturing time effectively. For the best results, you’ll want to be sure to work directly with a manufacturer with deep engineering expertise in order to get the best outcomes.

Want to know if you can reduce manufacturing time for your injection molded plastic components? Contact KASO Plastics. We are experts in injection molding and engineering services and we can help you optimize your manufacturing processes. Give us a call today for more information.