Choosing the Correct Molding System
BMJ builds injection molds for use in cold runner, hot runner and insulated runner molds
to manufacture plastic parts. The molding system you should utilize depends on the
physical requirements of the part to be produced.
It is important to select the correct molding system to economically
manufacture parts to your needs and specifications. A few considerations when selecting the system to use include:
- Part complexity
- Color requirements
- Physical characteristics of material
- Type of plastic material to use - virgin or "regrind"
- Color changes during production run
- Single or multiple design production
- Volume of parts to be produced
- Production speed required
Each molding system offers advantages and disadvantages. We can help you
select the correct molding system to manufacture your plastic parts as economically as possible.
Cold Runner Molding: The Pros and Cons
Cold runner molding is best:
- For manufacturing parts of simple
design, or
- When more than one color part to be produced
Cold runner molds are generally less expensive to build and maintain than hot runner or
insulated runner molds.
With a cold runner mold:
- Runner (excess material retained in the feed
channels) is cooled and ejected with the part
- A part and a runner are produced every cycle
- Waste material must be either disposed of or reground and reprocessed
Hot Runner Molding vs. Cold Runner Molding
Hot-runner systems are used when large runs have to be manufactured in
highly automated production.
Additionally, technological
advances enable us to build molds with gates positioned to yield the best
quality parts.
The primary difference between the two systems is that hot runner
eliminates the excess material retained in the feed channels of a cold
runner mold. This feature:
- Reduces the number of production steps required
- Saves in material, labor and energy costs
Hot Runner Molding vs. Insulated
Runner Molding
Hot runner molding yields the lowest cost per finished part, but the molds can be very
expensive to build.
- Insulated runner molds are an excellent option for rapid, high
volume production of plastic parts
- Insulated runner molding is an economical alternative to hot runner molding for the continuous operation of uniform cycles without extended interruptions
- Insulated runner molds are:
- Less expensive to build and maintain than hot runner molds
- Quick production color changes
- Easy to clean
- Faster molding cycles
- Improved part finishes
For a quote or more information about how we can help your project, call 765-457-1166, or send us an email, or submit this short form:
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