Selecting a Manufacturing Process

 

This software deals with the eight most common plastic manufacturing processes.  If you are unfamiliar with a process, click on it for a detailed description and a video. 

 

The part's functionality has the greatest effect on choosing a manufacturing process (bottles cannot be injection molded, they are generally blow molded, for example).  However, there is sometimes an overlap where more than one process can make the part. 

 

Review the different processes if you are unfamiliar with them.  Once you have chosen a manufacturing process, proceed to the next section, material selection.

 

Is also important to consider annual part volume when choosing a process. 

 

For a detailed description of a process, click below:

 

Injection Molding (thermoplastic)

Blow Molding

Thermoforming

Extrusion

Rotational Molding

Casting

Compression / Transfer Molding (thermoset)

Injection Molding (thermoset)