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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Ertone</title> <atom:link href="https://ertone.co.uk/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://ertone.co.uk/</link> <description>Manufacturer of precision, injection moulded plastic components. </description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:33:42 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-GB</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1</generator> <image> <url>https://ertone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/cropped-android-chrome-512x512-1-3-32x32.png</url> <title>Ertone</title> <link>https://ertone.co.uk/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height></image> <item> <title>What are the 4 stages of injection moulding?</title> <link>https://ertone.co.uk/what-are-the-4-stages-of-injection-moulding/</link> <comments>https://ertone.co.uk/what-are-the-4-stages-of-injection-moulding/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:33:42 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://ertone.co.uk/?p=7348</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Injection moulding is a widely used manufacturing process that allows for the mass production of complex plastic parts with high precision and repeatability. It is employed in a vast range of industries, from automotive and electronics to consumer goods and medical devices. Despite the complexity of the final products, the process itself can be broken […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://ertone.co.uk/what-are-the-4-stages-of-injection-moulding/">What are the 4 stages of injection moulding?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ertone.co.uk">Ertone</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="" data-start="164" data-end="720"><a href="https://ertone.co.uk/injection-moulding-process/">Injection moulding</a> is a widely used manufacturing process that allows for the mass production of complex plastic parts with high precision and repeatability. It is employed in a vast range of industries, from automotive and electronics to consumer goods and medical devices. Despite the complexity of the final products, the process itself can be broken down into four fundamental stages: <strong data-start="553" data-end="599">clamping, injection, cooling, and ejection</strong>. Understanding these stages is essential for anyone involved in manufacturing, product design, or materials engineering.</p><h2 class="" data-start="722" data-end="736">1. Clamping</h2><p class="" data-start="738" data-end="1191">The first stage of the injection moulding process is <strong data-start="791" data-end="803">clamping</strong>, which involves preparing the mould for the injection of molten plastic. Injection moulding machines consist of two halves: the injection unit and the clamping unit. The clamping unit houses the mould, which itself is made of two halves — the cavity (female) and the core (male) — that must be tightly closed during the process to avoid leakage and to ensure the final shape is accurate.</p><p class="" data-start="1193" data-end="1552">Before injection can begin, the machine brings the two halves of the mould together using a powerful hydraulic or mechanical clamp. The clamping force must be strong enough to withstand the pressure of the injected plastic, which can be considerable. The strength and reliability of the clamping stage are critical to ensuring product quality and consistency.</p><h2 class="" data-start="1554" data-end="1569">2. Injection</h2><p class="" data-start="1571" data-end="1890">Once the mould is clamped shut, the second stage, <strong data-start="1621" data-end="1634">injection</strong>, begins. Plastic pellets are fed into a heated barrel and melted into a molten state by a combination of heat and pressure. A reciprocating screw or a ram injector then pushes the molten plastic through a nozzle and into the mould cavity at high pressure.</p><p class="" data-start="1892" data-end="2177">The injection stage must be precisely controlled to ensure the mould fills correctly without voids, air pockets, or short shots. Factors such as injection speed, temperature, and pressure are closely monitored and adjusted depending on the material used and the complexity of the part.</p><h2 class="" data-start="2179" data-end="2192">3. Cooling</h2><p class="" data-start="2194" data-end="2478">With the cavity filled, the third stage is <strong data-start="2237" data-end="2248">cooling</strong>. This is where the plastic solidifies into the shape of the mould. As the plastic cools, it begins to shrink slightly, so cooling time must be carefully calculated to avoid defects such as warping, sink marks, or internal stress.</p><p class="" data-start="2480" data-end="2855">Cooling channels built into the mould help regulate the temperature and speed up the solidification process. The duration of this stage varies depending on the size and thickness of the part, as well as the type of plastic being used. In general, cooling is one of the longest stages in the cycle and directly affects the overall efficiency of the injection moulding process.</p><h2 class="" data-start="2857" data-end="2871">4. Ejection</h2><p class="" data-start="2873" data-end="3146">Finally, once the part has sufficiently cooled and solidified, the mould opens and the fourth stage, <strong data-start="2974" data-end="2986">ejection</strong>, begins. Ejector pins or a plate mechanism push the finished part out of the mould cavity. The part must be ejected carefully to prevent damage or deformation.</p><p class="" data-start="3148" data-end="3399">Sometimes, a mould release agent is used to facilitate the removal process, especially for complex or detailed parts. After ejection, the part may require some post-processing such as trimming or inspection before it’s ready for packaging or assembly.</p><hr class="" data-start="3401" data-end="3404" /><h3 class="" data-start="3406" data-end="3424">Final Thoughts</h3><p class="" data-start="3426" data-end="3745">The four stages of <a href="https://ertone.co.uk/injection-moulding-process/">injection moulding</a> — clamping, injection, cooling, and ejection — form a continuous cycle that can repeat thousands or even millions of times, producing identical parts with great efficiency. Each stage must be precisely timed and calibrated to maintain consistent product quality and minimise waste.</p><p class="" data-start="3747" data-end="4000">Whether you’re a designer, engineer, or business owner exploring manufacturing options, understanding these core stages provides valuable insight into how plastic components are made and why injection moulding remains a cornerstone of modern production.</p><p>The post <a href="https://ertone.co.uk/what-are-the-4-stages-of-injection-moulding/">What are the 4 stages of injection moulding?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ertone.co.uk">Ertone</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ertone.co.uk/what-are-the-4-stages-of-injection-moulding/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>How much will a plastic injection mould tool cost?</title> <link>https://ertone.co.uk/how-much-will-a-plastic-injection-mould-tool-cost/</link> <comments>https://ertone.co.uk/how-much-will-a-plastic-injection-mould-tool-cost/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2024 09:27:34 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ertone.co.uk/?p=6578</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>One of the most common questions for organisations looking to source plastic mouldings is: – “How much will a plastic injection mould tool cost?” It is one of the most important questions since the actual mould tool cost represents a significant expense in upfront production costs. Having said that, many factors go into determining the […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://ertone.co.uk/how-much-will-a-plastic-injection-mould-tool-cost/">How much will a plastic injection mould tool cost?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ertone.co.uk">Ertone</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="preFade fadeIn">One of the most common questions for organisations looking to source plastic mouldings is: –</p><h2 class="preFade fadeIn">“How much will a plastic injection mould tool cost?”</h2><p class="preFade fadeIn">It is one of the most important questions since the actual mould tool cost represents a significant expense in upfront production costs. Having said that, many factors go into determining the full tooling expenditure.</p><p class="preFade fadeIn">There are various ways to reduce this initial outlay such as: –</p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Product design</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Product material selection</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Product complexity</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Mould tool base and insert material</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Number of cavities</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Type of feed</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Manual or auto tooling</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Mould machining</p></li><li><p class="preFade fadeIn">Post moulding assembly</p></li></ul><p>Ertone Plastics have been in business long enough to have to have come across all the different cost saving advantages that can be used to significantly reduce your tooling costs and are happy to advise the best way forward in any scenario.</p><h3>If you have any questions or would like to discuss your unique requirements, please contact us.</h3><p>The post <a href="https://ertone.co.uk/how-much-will-a-plastic-injection-mould-tool-cost/">How much will a plastic injection mould tool cost?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ertone.co.uk">Ertone</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ertone.co.uk/how-much-will-a-plastic-injection-mould-tool-cost/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>How Do You Design the Perfect Plastic Component?</title> <link>https://ertone.co.uk/how-do-you-design-the-perfect-plastic-component/</link> <comments>https://ertone.co.uk/how-do-you-design-the-perfect-plastic-component/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[admin]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:37:09 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ertone.co.uk/?p=6395</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Here are Ten Factors You Must Consider Material Specification We need to consider the application requirements in terms of mechanical, thermal, environmental, electrical, chemical, cosmetic, cost and availability. Wall Thickness Designing the part with correct and consistent wall thicknesses will avoid many defects that can occur during the manufacturing process. Draft Angles Draft angles are […]</p><p>The post <a href="https://ertone.co.uk/how-do-you-design-the-perfect-plastic-component/">How Do You Design the Perfect Plastic Component?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ertone.co.uk">Ertone</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here are Ten Factors You Must Consider</p><h3>Material Specification</h3><p>We need to consider the application requirements in terms of mechanical, thermal, environmental, electrical, chemical, cosmetic, cost and availability.</p><h3>Wall Thickness</h3><p>Designing the part with correct and consistent wall thicknesses will avoid many defects that can occur during the manufacturing process.</p><h3>Draft Angles</h3><p>Draft angles are required on the vertical faces of the plastic part to avoid ejection problems when releasing the part from the tool. Without draft the part may also sustain damage to these faces.</p><h3>Feed/Gate Placement</h3><p>This is critical to ensure the plastic flows properly into the mould tool. Type of gate and positioning has an important influence on the part quality and viability.</p><h3>Venting</h3><p>Proper mould venting is essential to produce quality parts. Trapped air needs to be released from the tool to prevent damage to the moulding faces.</p><h3>Weld Lines/Sink Marks</h3><p>Main causes of weld lines are incorrect gate positions and poor part design. Sink marks are caused by insufficient cooling time or differential wall sections.</p><h3>Rib Design</h3><p>A thin-walled part may need the inclusion of ribs to reinforce its strength. There is a standard formula to design the height, draft, and thickness of these</p><h3>Boss Design</h3><p>A boss is essentially a circular rib and the thickness should be no more than 60% of the thickness of the wall it sits on. It will also need draft and venting.</p><h3>Corner Transitions</h3><p>If possible, all corners should be radiused and not sharp. These should be added keeping a consistent wall section.</p><h3>Tool Configuration</h3><p>There are various options when considering tool design. The most important are product life, annual quantities, material (if abrasive) and cost.This may seem challenging but if you work closely with a knowledgeable manufacturing partner this process will go quickly and smoothly.</p><p>Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.</p><p>The post <a href="https://ertone.co.uk/how-do-you-design-the-perfect-plastic-component/">How Do You Design the Perfect Plastic Component?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ertone.co.uk">Ertone</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ertone.co.uk/how-do-you-design-the-perfect-plastic-component/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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