TOP DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR INJECTION MOLDING

Injection molding can be a great choice to create a wide variety of products. When it comes to injection molded products, the possibilities are virtually endless, but it’s essential to take some key factors into consideration during the design and development of your product to ensure the best possible end results.

• Wall thickness: One of the most important factors to consider when you’re designing a product is what the wall thickness will be. The thickness of your walls impacts the amount of material that you’ll need to manufacture your product as well as the strength and durability of the design. Even slight changes in wall thickness can have a major impact on the cost and performance of your design so it’s important to work with an experienced engineer to calculate the ideal wall thickness before beginning production.
• Material: There are a wide variety of plastic polymers that you can choose from for your product depending on what characteristics you want to achieve. Your material selection will affect the performance, longevity, flexibility and durability of your products, but it will also have a major impact on the manufacturing cost. You have to weigh all of the different aspects of material selection to ensure that you can achieve the highest quality product while maintaining manageable production costs. (Learn more about the factors to consider for proper material selection.)
• Finishes: You can select a polished, matte or textured surface for your plastic injection molded products. The surface type you choose depends on the specific application of your product. An injection molding engineer can help you determine which finish type makes the most sense for your product.
• Seams: Injection molded parts have seams where parts are joined together during manufacturing, and these seams can detract from the aesthetic appeal of the product. Because these seams can be difficult to conceal, a lot of product developers choose to add a decorative joint over the seam to streamline the appearance of the product.
• Ribs: Depending on the wall thickness of your part and the material that’s used, ribs may be necessary for product strength and reinforcement. These ribs can help improve the structural integrity and performance of your product, but they can also add complexity to your design.

It can be challenging to stay on top of all of the different aspects of product design, development and manufacturing, so it’s important to work with partners who can keep the process on track. The team at KASO Plastics has been helping clients for decades with a wide range of plastic injection molding services. Whether you need engineering services or manufacturing support, our team is here to assist you. Give us a call today to get started with a consultation.