KNOWLEDGE CENTER

What is Blow Molding?
Blow molding is a plastic manufacturing process by which hollow parts are produced. Extrusion blow molding (EBM) is ideal for small to medium production runs of around 1,000 to 1,000,000 pieces annually. During the blow molding process, raw plastic pellets are melted and extruded into a hollow tube called a parison. The parison is then clamped by a mold, and a blow pin pumped pressurized air into the neck end of the parison, forcing the melted plastic to match the shape of the mold. Once the plastic cools and hardens, the mold releases and the part is ejected. Extrusion blow molding often requires some secondary operations including deflashing, trimming, or machining (link these terms to a secondary operations page) before it is considered a finished product. We offer all secondary operations in house to help our customers reduce the cost and time to market of their products. To speak to an expert and learn more about our extrusion blow molding process can help your company, click here.

What is Injection Molding?
Injection molding is a plastic manufacturing process by which solid plastic parts are produced and include everything from tiny component parts to much larger, mass produced products. Injection molding is the most common method of plastic manufacturing, and is ideal for very high annual production runs where repeatable high tolerances, fast production rates, and low part prices are necessary. During the injection molding process, plastic pellets are fed to a heated barrel where they are melted. The melted plastic is then forced through a nozzle into the cavities of the mold where it is cooled and hardened, producing the finished product. With injection molding, the mold is about 85-90% of the process, so the initial tooling cost is much higher. However, one of the added benefits is that the part often comes out of the mold finished without the need for any secondary operations to be performed. To learn more about injection molding and if this is the right process for your product, click here.