The modern rubber molding machine was actually adopted from the plastic molding process known as injection molding. Injection molding is a manufacturing process to make molded products by injecting a heated raw material into a mold cavity in which it is cooled and hardened into the mold shape. This system of manufacturing is still being used today to make parts for a variety of industries. You can find injection molded parts almost everywhere: aerospace products, automotive products, consumer products, construction products, plumbing, and even medical products.

The First Injection Molding Machine

The first plastic was created in 1851 by Alexander Parkes. It was a great innovation at the time due to its ability to maintain its shape once it was heated, cooled, and reshaped. However, the first plastic’s failing point was its high flammability, its propensity to develop cracks, and its high production costs. John Wesley Hyatt sought to improve Parkes’ plastic and subsequently invented a newer type of plastic, which he called Celluloid. John and his brother Isaiah then went on to invent the first injection molding machine in 1872. Their injection molding process paved the way for the modern injection molding machine for both rubber and plastics.

Application and Adoption

The injection molding process has come to be preferred by the manufacturing industry due to the industry’s need of producing identical copies of the same objects in high volume. With injection molding, manufacturers are able to make hundreds to thousands of their products in a short amount of time and with very low labor costs. Injection molded products can be trusted to have high repeatable tolerances – that is, every product will have very little variation with one another when coming from the same injection molding tool. With low labor costs and high volume repeatability, it’s easy to see why injection molding is now widely adopted for a plethora of our everyday products.

The major disadvantage of beginning injection molding is the high cost of the machine. You would also have to consider the running cost of the machine and maintenance of the machine parts. The integral parts of the machine such as the material hopper, heating unit, and injection ram all must be maintained and operated by experienced professionals. Thankfully, there are now a number of companies specializing in custom molding as a service for companies in need of these products, removing much of the high initial costs and maintenance concerns for the customer.

 

Learn More about the John Wesley Hyatt and his custom molding innovations.

 

Coi Rubber Products has over 28 years of experience in rubber and plastics molding, including engineering, design, material compounding, and prototyping. With our focus on 100% customer satisfaction, we are able to provide high quality rubber and plastic products that meet your exact needs and specification. We have the expertise and know-how to save you money on your products and simplify your production concerns.

 

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