The plastic manufacturing industry is in a massive transition state. It now becomes fast-paced and requires getting products into the market as early as possible. However, with quick and fast production, manufacturers also have to ensure the quality of the products, and that’s where low-volume plastic parts come into the role.
Manufacturers must adapt modern techniques to create identical low-volume plastic parts with consistent characteristics to gain an advantage in the evolving markets. Are you excited to know more about custom low-volume plastic parts?
This extensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about low-volume plastic parts. From learning the design considerations to understanding your options for material and design, we’ve got you covered.
What are Low-Volume Plastic Parts?
Custom low-volume plastic parts are produced in lower quantities than what is considered mass production. There are many benefits to manufacturing custom low-volume plastic parts, including the ability to make unique or complex designs, a shorter lead time, and lower costs.
When designing custom low-volume plastic parts, the sky is the limit. Whether you need a one-of-a-kind piece or an intricate design, a manufacturer can work with the client to create the perfect part for their application. And because these parts are produced in lower quantities, there is typically a shorter lead time from design to production. It means you can get your product to market faster and start seeing a return on your investment sooner.
Another factor that makes custom low-volume plastic parts worth trying is that they tend to be less expensive than their mass-produced counterparts. It is partly due to the economies of scale; as production quantities increase, unit costs usually decrease. But because custom low-volume plastic parts are produced in smaller quantities, manufacturers often have more flexibility when it comes to pricing.
So if you’re looking for a cost-effective solution for your next project, consider using custom low-volume plastic parts.
The 5 Major Benefits of Using Custom Low-Volume Plastic Parts
Now that you understand custom low-volume plastic parts, it’s time to enlist some significant benefits of choosing them for your next manufacturing project. Read them thoroughly and check whether using low-volume plastic parts is worth it.
1. They are High-Quality Products
No matter what industry you’re in, the quality of your product is paramount. You need to trust that the parts used in your products will hold up to whatever wear and tear you put them through, whether the daily grind or one-time use. That’s why low-volume plastic parts are generally considered both by manufacturers and buyers alike.。
Custom low-volume plastic parts can be made to exact specifications. They can be customized to meet the specific needs of your project or application.
2.Low-Volume Plastic Parts Save Costs
It’s no secret that Low-volume plastic parts can be produced at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing methods, thus saving your hard-earned cash. These parts are made to order and can be produced in small quantities, which helps to keep costs down. In addition, these parts can be customized to meet the customer’s specific needs, which can further help reduce costs.
In many cases, custom low-volume plastic parts can save costs by reducing or eliminating the need for separate fastening hardware, such as screws, bolts, and nuts. Low-volume production of plastic parts also allows for more design flexibility, which can lead to cost savings in the form of reduced material waste and improved manufacturability.
Also, custom parts can be made with fewer features than mass-produced parts. It means less work is involved in the manufacturing process, which translates into lower costs.
3.They can easily cater to the client’s customized needs.
The demand for personalized, low-volume plastic parts is rising as clients seek unique, customized solutions. In response, many manufacturers now offer custom, low-volume plastic parts that can easily and quickly cater to the client’s specific needs.
This shift towards customization is driven by the ever-increasing popularity of 3D printing and advancements in manufacturing technologies. It is now possible to create high-quality, low-volume plastic parts that precisely tailor to the client’s specifications.
This type of manufacturing is often used for prototyping or producing custom parts that are not mass-produced. Low-volume plastic parts can be easily customized to the client’s needs, whether a different color, material, or size, making them ideal for prototyping or creating personalized products.
The lead time for this type of manufacturing is typically shorter than that of mass production so that clients can receive their products faster.
4.They offer Design Flexibility.
When it comes to plastic parts, one size does not always fit all. That’s where low-volume plastics come in – custom-made plastic parts that are produced in smaller quantities to meet your specific needs.
Gone are the days when there used to be limited existing designs and molds, as now is the time when you can easily ask manufacturers to create custom molds and parts based on your preferences.
With low-volume plastic parts, manufacturers can produce customized products without compromising design or functionality. Moreover, by manufacturing products with low-volume plastic parts, you can get immediate feedback that further helps improve manufacturability.
5.Low-Volume parts have shorter lead times.
In custom plastic parts, shorter lead times are always a welcome development. By reducing the time it takes to get a product from design to delivery, manufacturers can speed up their entire production process and get their products to market faster.
There are a few key factors that have contributed to the recent trend of shorter lead times for custom plastic parts. First, advances in technology have made it possible to produce high-quality parts faster than ever before. In addition, many manufacturers are now offering low-volume production services that allow customers to order smaller quantities of parts without incurring high additional costs.
Finally, as the demand for custom plastic parts has increased, more manufacturers have entered the market, and competition has become more fierce. It has put pressure on suppliers to deliver orders faster and has helped drive down lead times overall. As a result of these trends, manufacturers who need custom plastic parts can now expect to receive their orders much sooner than they would have just a few years ago.
What are the Design Considerations for Low-Volume Injection Molding Plastic Parts?
When it comes to plastic parts, there are a few design considerations that need to be taken into account. This is especially true for low-volume plastic parts. Here, we will explore what some of those design considerations are and how they can impact your project.
1.Choose the right material.
The first thing to consider when designing a low-volume plastic part is the material used. There are many different types of plastics available, each with its unique characteristics. It’s crucial to select a material that will be durable enough to withstand the intended use of the part.
There are a few key things to consider when choosing a suitable material for your next project. First, think about what properties are essential to the function of your part. For example, if you need a flexible piece, then you’ll want to choose a material with good flexibility properties. If you need a strong and rigid part, you’ll want to select a material with high strength and stiffness properties.
Next, consider the manufacturability of the material. Some materials are simply more challenging to work with than others. Finally, don’t forget about the cost. In many cases, the chosen material will have a direct impact on the cost of manufacturing your parts. Be sure to weigh all these factors carefully before making your final decision.
2.Scale the wall thickness in both directions.
One critical consideration when designing a low-volume plastic part is wall thickness. This factor will determine its strength, stiffness, and overall durability. If the wall thickness is too thin, the part may be too fragile and susceptible to breakage. If the wall thickness is too thick, the part may be too cumbersome.
To strike the right balance, it is essential to scale the wall thickness in both directions. It means making the walls thicker in some areas and thinner in others. For example, you might want to make the walls thicker near joints or connections, as these are typically weaker points. In addition, you can also opt for walls thinner in less stress or strain areas.
By scaling the wall thickness in both directions, you can create a low-volume plastic part that is strong and durable and meet all your project needs.
3.Use Radii to solve corner problems.
Regarding plastic parts, one of the key design considerations is how to deal with corners. It is because sharp corners are more likely to cause stress and breakage.
One way to solve this problem is to use radii instead of sharp corners. It means that the corners are rounded off, which helps to distribute stress more evenly and reduces the chance of breakage.
Another advantage of using radii is that it can help improve the aesthetics of the part and make it easier to clean and maintain. It will also ensure a more substantial product and improved moldability.
4.Use the Draft Angle to Enable Easier Ejection of the Part.
The ease of ejection of a plastic part from the mold is something you can not overlook. This is especially important in low-volume production, where manually removing each part from the mold can be time-consuming and tedious.
One way to facilitate easier ejection is to use a draft angle on the part. This is an angled surface that allows the part to be released from the mold more easily. The draft angle also helps to prevent sticking and warping, which can occur when parts are removed from the mold too forcefully.
Another consideration for ejection is the material used for the part. Some materials are more prone to sticking than others, making them more challenging to remove from the mold. If possible, choose a material that will not stick to the mold or require a lot of force to eject.
Finally, consider the geometry of the part itself. Parts with complex geometries can be more challenging to eject than those with simpler shapes. If the ejection is likely to be an issue, simplify the part’s geometry as much as possible.
5.Go for a Multi-Cavity Mold when designing custom low-volume plastic parts.
Multi-cavity molds can offer advantages over single-cavity molds, such as increased production efficiency and lower unit costs. With multiple cavities, each cycle of the molding process produces multiple parts, which leads to a significant decrease in overall production time. Additionally, multi-cavity molds often have shorter cycle times than single-cavity molds due to their increased cavitation.
However, they also come with some unique challenges that must be considered before making a decision. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that each cavity is identical. If there are any differences in the cavities, it can lead to inconsistencies in the final product. Multi-cavity molds often require more intricate designs and tighter tolerances than single-cavity molds due to the need for more excellent symmetry between the cavities.
Another consideration is cost. Multi-cavity molds tend to be more expensive than single-cavity molds due to their increased complexity. However, they can offer significant cost savings in terms of production time and unit cost if designed correctly.
Conclusion
Custom low-volume plastic parts are a great way to get the parts you need without ordering a large quantity. The process is simple and easy to follow, and the results are usually high-quality and accurate.
If you are fascinated with the advantages of low-volume plastic parts and are more inclining toward them for your business, consider working with a professional and experienced manufacturer. A professional approach helps you get the needed parts and have more control over the manufacturing process. Plus, working with the right manufacturer can often be more cost-effective than working with a mass production company