In injection moulding, what happens after the plastic is melted?

After the plastic is melted in the injection moulding process, the next step involves injecting the molten plastic into the mould. This is a critical phase where the heated and melted material is forced into a cavity that defines the shape of the final product. The injection is carried out under high pressure to ensure that the mould is filled entirely and that no air bubbles are trapped, which could compromise the integrity of the finished item.

This step is crucial because it allows the material to take the precise shape of the mould, setting the foundation for the structural and aesthetic characteristics of the product. Following this injection step, the material will undergo cooling and solidification, leading to the final stage where the mould is opened to retrieve the hardened part. Understanding this sequence is essential for grasping the fundamentals of injection moulding and how it facilitates mass production of plastic components.