Quality control is not simply a stated term in plastic injection molding. It is an integral part of the manufacturing process, and is paid attention to in great detail.
To ensure that the plastic inspection molding process is conducted properly to create a high grade product, certain important parameters are taken into consideration. You can find out more below.
Quality Control Parameters in Plastic Injection Molding
Process parameters are important aspects that are set and followed to ensure the manufacture of a high quality product. The basic list of the parameters includes:
- Tolerance level
- Material heating zones
- Cavity pressure
- Injection time, speed, and rate
- Overall production time
- Product cooling time
Despite the chosen parameters, there is always a possibility of defective parts being created. To ensure the reduction of rejected parts, the chosen parameters are supported by other quality control processes mentioned below.
- Total Quality Management (TQM)
- Computer Aided Quality (CAQ)
- Advanced Quality Planning (AQP)
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Continuous Process Control (CPC)
- Totally Integrated Automation (TIA)
Each of the above methods handles a different part of the quality control process. For example, AQP deals with the basic design and feasibility of manufacturing a product. SPC uses statistical methods to monitor and control the plastic injection molding process. CAQ utilizes optical 3D measuring technology to deal with aspects like material thickness, warpage and shrinkage, component form and dimension, tolerances, etc. To further support quality control and assurance, the injection molding machines can be fitted with handling systems. The systems use CAQ to select parts according to precisely defined requirements.
All these processes help to reduce common problems associated with plastic injection molding such as:
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- Sink marks
- Gas marks from burning of the material
- Leaking of plastic material from the mold
- Reduced flow of plastic material into the machine
- Weak knit lines
Zero defect production of plastic components can be guaranteed when all of these processes are followed properly. The success of plastic injection molding as a production method will take place when all internal and external quality processes work in harmony.
