Injection molding tool

The injection molding tool is a continuous mold used to produce components with an injection molding machine. The injection molding tool usually consists of metal and has a cavity which determines the shape and surface structure of the produced part.
During injection molding, the injection molding tool is filled with plasticized plastic under pressure. Subsequently, the material cools down in the injection molding tool and thereby hardens. After the tool has been opened, the molded part can be removed. Injection molding tools are used to produce various components with weights of a few tenths of grams up to 150 kg. The process enables economical and efficient series production and therefore enjoys great popularity in the plastics processing industry.

The construction of an injection molding tool

Injection moulds generally have a two-part structure: One tool half is referred to as the nozzle side and the other as the ejector side. Both halves of the mold again consist of several plates which fulfill different functions. The components of an injection molding tool at a glance:

The nozzle side refers to the stationary side of the mold in the injection molding process. This side contains the cavity halves, also known as mold inserts, as well as the components of the gating system. Usually, a cooling distribution system is also located on the nozzle side to optimize heat dissipation after the melt is injected.

Injection molds are equipped with an interchangeable centering ring and are mounted on the clamping plate. The centering ring allows precise alignment of the nozzle during insertion, guiding it to the sprue bushing. For molds operating at high temperatures, an insulating plate is typically installed in front of the clamping plate to prevent excessive heat transfer.

The ejector side of the tool is characterized in that the ejector elements are positioned here. After cooling, hardening of the injection molding compound and opening the tool halves, the component is first located in the ejector side. With the aid of the ejector device, the finished part is freed from the mold in order then to be able to be reprocessed at the end and tested in quality assurance.

What material are injection molding tools made of?

Injection molding tools for the plastics processing industry are usually made of steel as permanent molds. Depending on the number of planned injection processes, more wear-resistant materials such as hardened or tempered tool steel or hard metals can be used.

In steel mold construction, a distinction is made between the standard shapes, jaw shapes and change molds. While standard shapes are suitable for very versatile applications, jaw shapes are equipped with a slide and are particularly suitable for components with large undercuts. Alternating shapes are, on the other hand, predestined for prototypes and small series, since the shape structure remains on the machine, while only the alternating inserts on the nozzle and ejector side are exchanged.

3D printing as an alternative to conventional tool

In the case of small quantities in which the development and production of a steel mold is not economical, 3D-printed molds are suitable. 3D-printed injection moulding materials are produced according to a drawing by a 3D printer and usually consist of particularly powerful plastics. In the development of 3D injection molding tools, care must be taken to select a high-performance plastic which is suitable for the later use and in particular the pressure and temperature levels during injection molding.

Find companies for injection moulding

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