The manufacture and assembly of plastic parts by plastic injection molding is a complex process with numerous intermediate steps until the final part is obtained. That is why automation of this process can significantly improve the efficiency and quality of the final product.
There is a numerous list of steps and sub-processes where automation can facilitate plastic injection molding.
Schematic of automated machinery for component assembly.
In Gestión de Compras, we work together with our customers in order to automate their plastic injection processes, customizing machinery and robots according to the needs of each production plant.
The following are some of the most important ones:
- Metal inserts: metal inserts are often used to provide greater strength and stability to plastic parts. Automation can help in the insertion of these metal inserts, as robots can be used to insert them accurately and consistently into each part. This not only improves the quality of the final product, but also reduces production time and minimizes the need for human labor.
- Sprues: Sprues are necessary in the plastic injection molding process to ensure that the molten material flows evenly into the mold. Automation of this process can improve the accuracy and consistency of the size and shape of the sprues. Robots can be programmed to cut and remove sprues uniformly, which improves the quality of the final product and reduces production time.
- Assembly/Assembly: Automation can also improve assembly processes in plastic injection molding. Robots can be programmed to perform part assembly consistently and accurately. This not only improves the quality of the final product, but also reduces production time and minimizes the need for human labor.
- Quality controls: We can improve quality controls in plastic injection molding by providing accurate and consistent measurements. Machine vision systems and sensors can be used to detect defects and measure part quality faster and more accurately than manual inspection. This improves the efficiency of the quality control process and reduces the need for human labor.
- Measurements: Automated measurement systems can be used to measure dimension, weight and other part properties faster and more accurately than manual measurement.
- Automated loading and feeding systems: Automated loading and feeding systems can be used to automate the feeding of materials into the plastic injection molding machine. These systems use robots and other devices to load and feed materials, which helps reduce cycle times and improve the efficiency of the production process.
In conclusion, automation can significantly improve efficiency and quality in plastic injection molding, as robots and automated systems can perform these and other processes more accurately and consistently than human labor, reducing production time and improving the quality of the final product.
BENEFITS
Process automation in plastic injection molding can also have other important benefits worth mentioning. Some of these include:
Automated assembly machine.
- Cost reduction: Automation can reduce costs associated with the production of plastic parts by minimizing the need for human labor and reducing production time. In addition, automation can also help reduce material waste by improving the accuracy and consistency of the plastic injection molding process.
- Improved safety: Automation can improve safety in the production of plastic parts by minimizing the need for workers to perform dangerous and repetitive tasks. In addition, safety systems built into robots and other automated equipment can reduce the risk of workplace injuries and accidents.
Robotic stacking system
- Increased production capacity: Automation can increase production capacity in plastic injection molding by allowing more tasks to be performed in less time. In addition, robots and other automated equipment can work longer and more accurately than human workers, allowing more parts to be produced in a given period of time.
- Improved product quality: Automation can improve the quality of the final product by minimizing human error and allowing for greater accuracy and consistency in the production process. In addition, automated systems can detect and correct errors more quickly and efficiently than manual inspection, which helps ensure product quality.
By using robots and automated systems to perform tasks such as metal insert insertion, sprue removal, part assembly, quality control and measurement, manufacturers can improve the efficiency of their production process and deliver higher quality products to their customers.
