Rapid Injection Moulding
What is it?
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Rapid Injection Moulding (RIM) is a great way to reduce the lead time for tooling, whilst maintaining part quality. Producing tooling from Aluminium rather than Steel makes it faster and cheaper, whilst still maintaining part quality. Typically RIM tools have a lesser lifespan than their steel counterparts, but they’ll still be good to produce 1000’s of parts.
ADVANTAGES
Detailed Features and Complex Geometry
Parts can be inserted into the plastic
Enhanced Strength – Using fillers that reduce the density of the plastic
Ability to Use Multiple Plastic Types Simultaneously
Automation to Save Manufacturing Costs – can be easily automated.
Material granules from the hopper feed into a heated barrel and rotating screw.
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Material melted by heat, friction and sheer force is forced through a check valve to the front by rotating the screw.
Having been moved backwards by the shot of material at the front, the screw is forced forward by hydraulic ram.
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this action injects material into the mould cavity in the closed mould tool.
The tool is held closed under pressure until the plastic material cools and sets hard in the mould tool cavity.
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This often is the longest part of the injection moulding.
The screw starts to move back for the next moulding. The tool then opens and the finished part is ejected.
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The tool is closed and the injection moulding process starts again
