Gas assist injection molding is a certain injection molding process that uses an inert gas, usually nitrogen. This process works great to form one hollow channel or more within a plastic part. It brings a lot of advantages for plastic parts manufacturer in processing materials more efficiently. The various benefits of gas assist injection molding also makes this method more and more popular in injection molding industry.
The steps of gas assist injection molding process are actually quite simple. The gas is injected in the end of the stage of filing into the molded liquid core. Furthermore, the gas will follow the least resistance path in order to substitute the thick molten sections with the gas-filled channels. Then the plastic is packed by the gas pressure next to the mold cavity surface. It compensates volumetric shrinkage until the part turns out into solid thing. In the end of the gas assist injection molding process, the gas will be recycled or merely vented to the atmosphere.
Creating gas channels in gas assist injection molding process brings some benefits for the industrial process. Through the channels, pressure could be transmitted regularly across the part without making any warpage, sink marks and also internal stress. Therefore, some reductions in the clamp tonnage, molding cycle time, and also in the weight of the part are realized. Meanwhile, the firmness as well as the strength of the part is significantly increased.
Moreover, gas assist injection molding technology also allows the manufacturer to get higher flexibility in its production. The manufacturer could gain extra freedom in designing the plastic parts without worrying about restrictions and limitations that usually occur in any conventional injection molding.
This technology has been around for years. However, people had more concern of patent, rights and also royalty fees within the past years. Even, some original patents of this gas assist injection molding technology have expired. Recently, this technology has been practiced widely in many different industries. The manufacturers are responsible to make sure that the technology applied to their industries is not covered by current patents.
There are a lot of benefits you can grab from gas assist injection molding. The best benefit offered is the less material is used. In this technology, you do not need to pack the material. Therefore, you can save the materials in up to 40%. Besides, gas assist injection molding process also helps you to save more times. The cycle time will be reduced significantly by 50% or even more.
There are two different types of gas assist injection molding. The first option will be internal gas injection. This is the most common process used in the molding industry. This technology brings a lot of advantages. It reduces the in-mold pressures by up to 70% and also enables larger moldings on any smaller machines. Moreover, this technology also reduces the stress in molding process. Therefore, you can get component in improved dimensional stability even without any distortion.
The second option is external gas injection. This gas assist injection molding is applied used for improved surface definition. Using this certain technology allows you to eliminate the marks of the sink. Besides, it also eliminates the moulded-in stress as well as distortion well. Moreover, this technique allows you to apply pressure in more efficient way. It also leads you to use less pressure during the process.
There are many kinds of gas assist injection molding machine you can find out there. You can check the detail of the machine in order to get the most suitable one for your business. With the great advantages and also support from this technology, you can improve the performance of your company to ensure high production and efficiency.
