Plastic moulding is a very complex and varied manufacturing mode. You only have to get into your car to discern just how many different shapes sizes of the interior are made of plastic, and that only is what you can see. Being a toolmaker in plastic is a very skilled profession: it has to be because every new product is unique in itself and performs countless different functions.

Cad and cam three dimensional technology has really advanced plastic moulding business. Lead times have been drastically reduced between concept and delivery. In many cases a two to three weak lead time is all it now takes. Customers can receive detailed sketches and prototypes, easily and quickly, and make the small alterations necessary before the toolmaker goes to work. Most companies can cater for small runs in production as well as high-volume orders. In the latter case, a small production run would be undertaken before taking high volume into account.

Insert and encapsulation work are probably the most adept part of a plastic moulding service. Whenever we see a syringe, for example, we sometimes don’t appreciate the complexities. Usually the metal needle has to be encapsulated into a plastic receiver that provides the conduit to fit on to the syringe body. Likewise, the internal plunger of the syringe has to fit the external part of the body. Exact measurements are critical for the toolmaker to ensure a competent product.

Plastic moulding manufacturing provides many industries with a complex yet proficient products. Electronics relies very heavily on mouldings for all types of uses and applications. The automotive industry could not produce an economical vehicle these days without all the plastic moulding components it needs to join everything up make to function correctly. Regarding the field of medicine, with tubes and syringes everywhere, there would be a few concerns without professional moulding availability. There is just no substitute for plastic moulding in today’s world.

Plastic moulding has gone to the next level says Harry Dobbs, a toolmaker of some 30 years plus