The injection molding cycle works by this continuous process—closing the mold, feeding/heating the plastic granules, pressurizing them into the mold, cooling them into a solid part, ejecting the part, and closing the mold again.

Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process that involves injecting molten plastic material into a mold cavity. The molten plastic is then allowed to cool and solidify, forming the desired shape. The process involves four main stages, namely clamping, injection, cooling, and ejection.

The ability of injection moulding to produce thousands of complex parts quickly makes it the perfect process for the mass production of plastic components. Using a specialised hydraulic or electric machine, the process melts, injects and sets plastic into the shape of a metal mould that’s fitted into the machine.

The basic manufacturing process involves melting down plastic and then injecting it into a mold under high pressure. The plastic is then cooled, so it can solidify and be removed by opening up the mold. The result is a plastic product with a fixed, predetermined form.

Plastic pellets are fed into the injection molding machine by the hopper. The barrel of the machine is heated and the pressure from the machine melts the plastic pellets. The molten plastic injected into the injection molding machine is called a “shot”. The molded parts are formed by the heat and pressure of the machine.