Injection molding tolerances are standards that encompass the acceptable range of variations in a molded part’s size, while still allowing for that part to function correctly. It’s important to know and understand your part’s tolerance for planning and design purposes, and also in order to better increase functionality. There are several strategies and techniques that injection molders use to achieve tight tolerances. Let’s take a look at these essential factors that impact injection molding tolerances.
The Main Factors that Impact Injection Molding Tolerances
Ensuring that your product is designed with the right tolerances that match exact specifications is important because it can affect functionality and quality, which can then affect cost, production, and overall success of the final product on the market. There are many different aspects you need to consider that can impact injection molding tolerances.
Materials Properties
The materials you use to produce your product is important. Things like surface texture, strength, or flexibility are critical factors. You also need to think about how your material handles different temperatures. Last, the cost of these materials is also something you need to think about to ensure you are staying within your budget while still utilizing quality items.
Part design
When designing your part, you need to think about how size can impact the tolerance. The size of your part is important because that can impact shrink rate. Design for manufacturability (DFM) analysis can give you information about how the part can be manufactured, including how to avoid warpage and maintain tight tolerances.
Mold Design and Construction
The mold design and construction is important for achieving tight tolerances. The mold should ensure a smooth, even fill rate. You should also carefully consider the number of injection ports, as well as where they are located.
Injection Molding Process Parameters
You should also consider different parameters involved in the injection molding process, because those have a great impact on your injection molding tolerances. These are things like melt temperature, mold temperature, and injection pressure.
Part Geometry and Wall Thickness
The geometry of a part affects tolerance because it may warp during the cooling process. Wall thickness is also an important consideration because varying degrees of thickness can mean that the part shrinks differently at different spots.
Post-Molding Operations
Post-molding processes, like cooling, can influence the part’s tolerance. You also need to keep in mind factors like pressure, temperature, and holding time.
The Advantages of Parts with Tight Tolerances
Now that you understand some key factors that influence injection molding tolerance, it’s important to know that parts with tight tolerances offer several benefits. These advantages include:
- Improved functionality
- Enhanced product performance
- Reduced waste and rework
- Improved interchangeability
- Greater design freedom
- Cost savings
Westec Delivers Precision Plastic Components that Adhere to Tight Tolerances
It’s vital that you partner with the right manufacturer that will offer you injection molding parts with tight tolerances. At Westec, we are a California-based injection molding company that offers in-house solutions for customers in a variety of industries.
With our diverse capabilities, we provide mold building, plastic injection molding services, and other secondary operations like hot stamping and heat staking. Westec is your single source partner for all your injection molding needs, and we understand the importance of tight tolerances in increasing efficiency and functionality, while saving you money.
Are you ready to level up your injection molding? Contact us today to get started.
