Injection Mold vs Stamped Metal: The Battle of Manufacturing Techniques

Introduction:\

When it comes to manufacturing components and products, two popular techniques have emerged as frontrunners: injection molding and stamped metal. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different applications. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of these techniques, comparing their advantages, disadvantages, and real-world use cases. By the end, you will have a better understanding of which manufacturing technique is best suited for your specific needs.

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1. What is Injection Molding?\

Injection molding is a manufacturing process that involves injecting molten material into a mold cavity. This molten material is typically a thermoplastic, which solidifies to create the desired component or product. The process is widely used for the production of a wide range of items, including automotive parts, consumer products, and medical devices.

Advantages of Injection Molding:

High precision and intricate designs can be achieved.

Efficient production capabilities, especially for high-volume manufacturing.

Wide variety of material options, including engineering plastics and elastomers.

Enhanced surface finish and appearance.

Disadvantages of Injection Molding:

Initial tooling costs can be high, making it less suitable for low-volume production.

Longer lead times for tooling development and adjustments.

Not ideal for manufacturing products with complex geometries.

Limited ability to incorporate metal inserts or features.

2. What is Stamped Metal?\

Stamped metal, also known as metal stamping or presswork, is a manufacturing process that involves shaping flat sheet metal into desired components using a stamping press. The press applies force to deform and cut the metal sheet into the desired shape. Stamped metal parts are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and appliances.

Advantages of Stamped Metal:

Cost-effective for high-volume production runs.

Short lead times for tooling development and adjustments.

Excellent strength and durability of metal components.

Ability to manufacture complex shapes and features.

Easy integration of metal inserts or components.

Disadvantages of Stamped Metal:

Less suitable for intricate and detailed designs.

Limited material options mostly restricted to metals.

Surface finish may not be as refined as injection molding.

Tooling maintenance and repair costs.

3. Applications and Real-World Use Cases:\

To better understand the practical applications of injection molding and stamped metal, let's explore some real-world use cases for each technique.

Injection Molding Use Cases:

Production of plastic consumer goods, such as phone cases, toys, and kitchen utensils.

Manufacturing of automotive components like interior trims, dashboards, and bumpers.

Development of medical devices and equipment like syringes, inhalers, and surgical instruments.

Stamped Metal Use Cases:

Manufacturing of automotive parts, such as brackets, body panels, and engine components.

Production of electrical and electronic components like chassis, connectors, and terminals.

Creation of household appliances, including washing machine parts and oven components.

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injection mold vs stamped metal

On-demand Rapid Injection Molding

Sigma’s rapid tooling service helps you to have the low volume to large volume plastic parts done, with no compromise on the material selection.

  • No MOQ required
  • Get the rapid tooling as fast as 2 weeks
  • Free DFM
  • 24/7 engineering support

Our rapid injection molding Application

Sigma Technik Limited's rapid injection molding service injects molten plastic materials into molds using injection molding machines and molds, and cools and solidifies them over a certain period of time, ultimately forming the required plastic parts. This manufacturing process is usually suitable for producing small and medium-sized plastic parts, which can obtain high-quality and precise parts in a short period of time.

Plastic Injection Molding

Injection molding is a common manufacturing process to produce low volume to large volumes of parts typically made out of plastic. The process involves injecting molten material into a mold and letting it cool to a solid-state.

Liquid Silicone Rubber Molding

Liquid Silicone Rubber is known as LSR, which is a process used to produce parts made from silicone rubber, widely used create products such as medical devices, automotive parts, baby care products, and many others.

2K Injection molding

2K injection molding is a manufacturing process in which two different types of plastic materials are molded together in a single operation to create a single homogeneous component. This process allows for efficient and cost-effective production of high-quality parts that can perform unique functions.

Overmolding and Insert Molding

Overmolding / Insert molding combines two or more materials into a single part, one of the material is usually soft and flexible, or metal. The purpose of overmolding/insert molding is to add functionality, improve grip, provide protection, or enhance aesthetics.

Mission And Vision

Rapid injection molding materials

ABS

ABS is a type of plastic with high strength, hardness, and toughness. It has good impact resistance and wear resistance, and is suitable for manufacturing shells, components, and models.

PC

PC is a transparent, high-strength, high-temperature resistant, and excellent electrical insulation material. It is suitable for manufacturing transparent components, electronic components, and automotive components.

PP

PP is a relatively flexible material with excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. It is suitable for manufacturing containers, pipelines, baby bottles, etc.

PA

PA is a material with high strength, high rigidity, and wear resistance. It is suitable for manufacturing gears, bearings, brackets, etc.

POM

POM is a material with excellent wear resistance, toughness, and rigidity. It is suitable for manufacturing gears, bearings, pulleys, etc.

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About Us

What can we do?

Sigma Technik Limited, as a prototype production company and rapid manufacturer focusing on rapid prototyping and low volume production of plastic and metal parts, has advanced manufacturing technology, one-stop service, diversified manufacturing methods, on-demand manufacturing services and efficient manufacturing processes, which can provide customers with high-quality, efficient and customized product manufacturing services and help customers improve product quality and market competitiveness.

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Rapid Injection Molding Service Application

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Rapid Injection Molding FAQs

Burrs appear on the surface of the product, which affects its aesthetics and safety. The solution can be to adjust the parameters of the injection molding machine, such as temperature, pressure, speed, etc., or to perform post-processing, such as polishing, sandblasting, etc.

The warping deformation of the product is usually caused by unstable parameters such as temperature and pressure of the injection molding machine, or improper mold design. The solution can be to adjust parameters such as temperature and pressure, or to redesign the mold.

The occurrence of bubbles inside the product may be due to the high temperature of the injection molding machine and the high moisture content of the material. The solution can be to reduce the temperature of the injection molding machine, adjust the water content of the material, increase the pressure of the injection molding machine, etc.

The product size deviation is too large, which may be caused by material thermal expansion, mold deformation and other reasons. The solution can be to adjust parameters and optimize mold design based on material characteristics.