Plastic Injection Moulding

Injection moulding is a manufacturing process where parts are produced by injecting molten material into a mould. It can be employed to produce prototypes, or for mass production of identical items.

The Plastic Injection Moulding Process

The first stage of the injection moulding process is the creation of the mould tool itself. At RP Technologies, we only manufacture tooling in aluminium. Aluminium Tooling provides greater speed of manufacture, is a more cost-effective solution, and it is suited to low volume manufacturing.

Once the tool has been made, it is then placed into the injection moulding machine, where it can be prepared for the production cycle to begin.

Plastic polymers, or pellets, are fed into the machine, and begin a slow passage through the barrel where they are heated until they become molten. The pellets are injected into a clamped mould. 

Once the molten plastic has been injected into the mould, the cooling process begins immediately. The plastic solidifies into the shape of the mould, the clamp is released, and cooling begins.

As soon as this stage in the process has been completed, the cooled mould can open, and the solid plastic product can be ejected from the tool by purpose-built mechanisms known as ejector pins.

As soon as the ejection is complete, the clamp is shut again, ready for the cycle to begin once more.

Plastic Injection Moulding at RP Technologies

RP Technologies provides low-medium volume plastic injection moulding in any production intent polymer for prototype, pre-production and production volumes.

We’re the number one choice for many product designers and product engineers because we specialise in producing functional prototypes which are perfect for concept ideation and market testing. We’re also specialists in low-medium volume production runs, for components which need to be put through rigorous measurement testing and development. 

Our ‘Without Limits’ philosophy sets us apart from our competitors. It’s another factor which makes us popular with product designers and engineers. Put simply, it means that, unlike many of our competitors, we manufacture exactly what has been designed, without making any changes to the original design intent. No matter how complex the final component is, we will find a way. 

We create great components which are true to their original concepts and designs. This makes us one of the most customer-friendly, design-centric plastic injection moulding companies out there.